Melbourne client care · Made in Surat
The princess cut is a square brilliant-cut diamond with sharp corners and maximum sparkle. Second only to round brilliant in popularity, the princess delivers the brilliance of a round in a geometric square format. This guide covers everything about the princess cut.
The princess cut was developed in the 1960s and refined through the 1980s. It is a square or very slightly rectangular diamond with sharp corners, cut with brilliant-style faceting that produces maximum sparkle in a square format. The princess has the visual geometric precision of a square with the light performance approach of a round brilliant.
The four sharp corners of the princess cut are its defining characteristic — and its primary practical consideration. Sharp corners concentrate stress and are the most vulnerable areas of the stone. Corner prong protection is essential in any princess cut setting.
| Feature | Princess Cut | Cushion Cut |
|---|---|---|
| Corners | Sharp — requires protection | Rounded — softer |
| Aesthetic character | Geometric, contemporary, architectural | Soft, vintage-adjacent, romantic |
| Sparkle style | Bright, numerous small flashes | Chunkier, warmer flashes depending on variant |
| Colour visibility | Slightly more than cushion — less forgiving | Good colour hiding in modified brilliant variant |
| Setting requirement | Corner prongs essential | Standard 4-prong works well |
| Bow tie | None | Rare in standard cushion |
| Most popular for | Contemporary aesthetic, maximum precision | Romantic, vintage-adjacent aesthetic |
The four sharp corners of a princess cut are the areas most vulnerable to chipping under impact. Corner prongs — prongs that specifically cup and protect each corner — are essential in princess cut settings.
Book a free online consultation. Yash Chandpara shows princess and cushion cut side by side on screen so the character difference is immediately clear.
