The princess cut is one of the most popular shapes of diamond. This square cut diamond offers an alternative shape with the fire and sparkle of a round brilliant cut. Princess cut diamonds are modern, chic and versatile. Other impressive geometric diamond cuts include the emerald cut, and the Asscher cut. Browse our selection of HRD, IGI and GIA certified princess cut diamonds.
The princess cut diamond boasts 57 or 76 facets, and has a square outline but is occasionally slightly rectangular. However, if the ratio between the length and width of the stone is greater than 1.05, it is called a ‘Square Modified Brilliant Cut’ on diamond grading certificates. Princess cut diamonds are often referred to as pyramidal, as they resemble an inverted pyramid when viewed side on.
The princess cut diamond is the square equivalent of the round brilliant cut diamond. According to Ringspo’s 2017 survey, princess cut diamonds were the most popular cut of diamond for engagement rings after the brilliant cut, with 12.2% of survey participants opting for a princess cut engagement ring. The princess cut diamond boasts a high degree of sparkle and scintillation, making it perfect to set in engagement rings and other items of jewellery.
Princess cut diamonds offer great value for money. This is because when octahedral diamond crystals are cut in this shape, up to 80% of the rough stone is used. This is classed as a very good yield for diamond cutting. Comparatively, brilliant cut diamonds use approximately 40% of the crystal. Therefore, less of the diamond crystal is wasted during manufacture. Similarly, a 1ct princess cut will appear larger face up than a 1ct round brilliant but. This is because the princess cut has a large table and a small pavilion, meaning that more of the weight of the stone is in the facet that is viewed when set into jewellery.
The princess cut is a contemporary, elegant cut, and can be traced back to the 1960s. There were a few designs for a square diamond cut around the 1960s and 1970s. The Barion Cut was patented in 1971 by Basil Watermeyer, this cut had 81 facets, with a characteristic cross pattern through the table.
The same year as the patent for the Barion Cut, Arpad Nagy patented the Profile Cut. The Profile Cut had been designed ten years prior to patenting, and was flatter than a modern princess cut, with 58 facets. This diamond cut was frequently called the princess cut.
The modern princess cut gained great popularity in the 1980s. The cut is the perfect alternative to the round brilliant cut, with its clean, fashionable design and gorgeous sparkle. The princess cut diamond is incredibly versatile, and looks great in a variety of designs, for engagement rings, diamond eternity rings, diamond ear studs, necklaces, and tennis bracelets.
Contact our team of diamond jewellery specialists for more advice on diamond cuts. Buy princess cut diamond engagement rings and jewellery online with 0% interest free finance and free UK delivery. Call us on 01335 453 453 or email us at sales@britishdiamondcompany.com.