THE BEST SHAPE FOR A PRINCESS CUT DIAMOND

The princess cut is a beautiful cut of diamond.

It’s actually what they call a “modified brilliant cut” (altered to fit a square stone).

Back in the old days, square or rectangle diamonds were cut with steps; a step cut, like the emerald cut.

Compare the two below…

Step cuts were pretty, but didn’t offer much brilliance or sparkle. Plus, because of the lack of facets, inclusions stood out like a sore thumb. You really needed a top-notch clarity to not see any imperfections with the bare eye.

Once the brilliant cutting style came along, it over-powered the step cuts. Which is a good thing, because that led to the birth of the princess cut.

Understand one thing, this brilliant cutting style is the actual way the stone is faceted. Like a starburst on the bottom (the pavilion), and kite-shaped facets around the crown (the raised section that lifts up the table).

This cutting style is not the actual shape itself.

Which is why this modified cut has been used on almost all the modern common shapes today: Princess Cut, Heart Cut, Pear Cut, Trilliant Cut, Radiant Cut, Oval Cut, and Marquise Cut.

This style of faceting gives the diamond more brilliance and fire and life.

That’s where the princess cut comes from…

When most people think of a princess cut, they think of a square stone. But most stones are not exactly square. Most are more rectangular-ish in shape. Compare these stones below…

Do they look Square to you?

Maybe, close? Let’s find out…

Take a peek at the same image below, only this time, a perfectly square black outline is placed behind the stones so you can see if they’re really square or not…

Surprised?

You see, princess cuts can come in all different widths, lengths, and thicknesses… It’s based upon how they’re cut from the parent rock (and what rock is available to make the biggest and best stones from). So the result is a variety of odd shapes and sizes. Some come out square, other’s squar-ish… It just depends on how much money they can obtain when maximizing the rock.

So the actual shape, doesn’t matter much. It’s last on the list.

But not to you and me…

Because people still think a princess cut is square, no matter whom you ask. I do too.

In fact, I love the square stones so much better. They appeal to me. Plus, they look way bigger than a rectangular shaped stone.

Compare the two stones below…

See, it appears bigger, doesn’t it?

But the actual shape really does come down to opinion, and nothing more.

Some people like a longer stone (they look good in longer mountings). Some don’t.

There is no ideal shape, it’s all in what you like.

Personally I like the square, as I’ve often stated… And to see if a stone is truly square, just check the certificate and look at the measurements: i.e. 5.24mm x 5.21mm. You’ll notice that even “square” stones are not absolutely-perfectly square. They’ll always be off a smidge. But if you get close enough, it will face up square, for sure.

What matters more than Shape?

The thing that should matter more than the actual shape, is the visually aspect.

Some princess cuts react with light differently. Some are deeper, shallow, spread, dark, even ugly…

Some have better symmetry and proportions and just look more appealing (eye-candy).

Compare the variety of princess cuts below…

Now you see what’s really important…

The Beauty of the Stone!

Just like any shape, if you get a better clarity, better cut, better color, it makes the entire stone “POP“.

Like these princess cut diamonds below…

Because if a princess cut doesn’t have brilliance, fire, and life, then why bother?

So what’s your Favorite Shape?

Square? Rectangle? Or a stone that’s symmetrical and stunning?

Or is size the only thing that counts?

If you want to delve deeper into the actual cut, and learn about the ideal cutting style proportions and measurements of a princess cut diamond, read my post!

And if you want to scope out more princess cut diamonds, head on over to James Allen here.

Cheers! :)