Sparkle and Fire: Princess Cut Diamond Engagement Rings
If you have decided that princess cut diamond rings are just about the most beautiful things on the face of the earth because of the amount of sparkle and fire they have, you are not alone. Second in popularity only to the round brilliant cut, princess cut diamonds are so beautiful that many brides-to-be have their hearts set on having one in their engagement ring long before they are even engaged. Mens princess cut diamond rings and 3 stone princess cut diamond cut rings are also very popular. What is it about these diamond rings that is so special?
- Princess cut diamond rings feature a square (or sometimes rectangular) shaped diamond that has 4 beveled sides resembling a pyramid.
- A princess cut diamond with the same width as a round diamond will weigh more than the round diamond because the four corners on the underside of the diamond have not been cut off.
- Princess cut diamonds are generally less expensive than round brilliant cut diamonds carat for carat. The reason for this is that is because more of the rough diamond is retained when it is cut than with a round cut. Almost 50% of the rough diamond is lost when a round brilliant diamond is cut, compared to only about 20% for the princess cut.
- Sometimes called a “square modified brilliant” cut, princess cuts have their origins in a French cut diamond, which has a cross-shaped crown. The princess cut utilizes a modified cross shape across the crown and facets that are shaped like chevrons in the pavilion of the diamond.
- Princess cuts are still considered to be a “new” cut, having been created in the 1960s. They have an edgier, more modern look to them in comparison to other cuts, such as vintage-looking cushion cut engagement rings.
- A princess cut has 58 facets, just like a round brilliant cut diamond, although they are arranged in a very different pattern than round cuts are.
- Not all gem labs grade princess cut diamonds. So far, a universal definition of exactly what measurements constitute the perfect princess cut, and many lapidaries use their own measurements when they cut them. As a result, many different patterns and angles are used when cutting princess cuts, and therefore, it is hard to determine just what is the ideal princess cut. GIA or the Gemological Institute of America does not grade them because they don’t feel that there is enough data collected on this type of cut to specify grading standards for them and that in doing so, it would deceive customers who see grades of Excellent or Ideal for them. The AGA, AGSL, and EGL-USA labs do grade princess cuts, however.
- White gold princess cut diamond rings are currently very popular, but if the rising price of gold has you down, take a look at a princess cut diamond in sterling silver or possible even titanium.
- Avoid cheap princess cut diamond rings, as the diamonds may be inferior, which means that there won’t be as much fire and sparkle as a better quality diamond will have.
When shopping for a princess cut diamond, it is important to shop with a trusted jewelry professional, because of the grading issue discussed above. Always buy the best quality diamond you can afford, and you will be sure to get a beautiful, heirloom quality piece of jewelry that can be treasured for years to come!
Princess Diamond Guide: What is a Princess Cut Diamond?
A princess diamond is a term for a specific cut of a square diamond which is proving to be particularly popular in the jewelry market at present. A princess cut diamond bridges the gap between the high level of fire created by the brilliant cut diamond and the normally lower levels of sparkle the alternative square cuts produce. For example, princess cut diamonds produce a higher level of fire that the alternative emerald or Asscher cuts, which are the alternative square cuts for diamonds. Therefore if you are looking for the sparkle of a brilliant cut diamond but prefer the more contemporary square shapes, princess cut diamond rings may be the choice for you.
How to Choose a Princess Cut Diamond Ring
There are many styles and settings for princess cut diamonds, the most popular of which is the solitaire, but there is guaranteed to be a style to suit your individual taste and budget. As princess diamonds are being used in more contemporary settings, they work particularly well when set into white metals such as platinum or white gold as these metals seem to emphasize the white sparkle of the diamond. The diamonds also, of course, work well when set into yellow gold, and the choice of metal setting is entirely a matter of your own personal taste. As with any diamond, the quality of the stone will affect the overall appearance of the gemstone, therefore, it is important to choose the best quality princess diamond that you can afford. The princess cut is very forgiving of inclusions within the diamond as the sparkle created by the cut helps to disguise any flaws. Inclusions may be far more visible in an emerald cut for example. If the diamond is of low quality and contains many flaws, this will noticeably affect the sparkle of the diamond in any cut, therefore it may be wiser to choose a smaller sized stone of better quality for the same value. Quality is very important with diamonds as their sparkle is the reason they are irresistible to most women, and any sign of poor quality will affect the sparkle. A diamond of good cut, clarity, and color is worth every penny and a reputable jeweler should charge a fair price for a quality gemstone.
Princess Cut Diamond Engagement Rings
Princess cut diamond engagement rings are the ideal choice for those who would like to opt for a more contemporary diamond shape than the more traditional brilliant cut solitaire but retain the intense sparkle. This is the reason why so many are opting for a princess cut diamond engagement ring and why they are such a popular choice on the market at present. Therefore if your future fiancée would prefer her jewelry to be a little different from the traditional brilliant cut diamond solitaire, but maintain the classical elegance, the stunning princess cut may be the choice for you.
Round, Princess and Emerald Cut Ring
The purchase of an emerald cut diamond ring is usually for a very important occasion. Diamonds are among the hardest materials in the world, rare and extremely valuable. Many people’s first experience with seeing a diamond is in its cut form. After a diamond has been cut by a professional jeweler, it sparkles with brilliant fire and its ability to refract light is greatly maximized. Before a diamond is cut, however, it resembles an unremarkable and cloudy rock. Cut diamonds are most commonly used in engagement rings and similar jewelry. There are several different ways that a particular stone can be cut and a few common ones are the round brilliant, princess and emerald cut ring. Each has its own shape and purpose for the particular stone it is used on. The type and size of a diamond usually but not always determine how it will be cut. A stonecutter will usually shape the stone in order to maximize brilliance, light refraction and color and minimize things like inclusions and weakness.
The Round Brilliant Cut Ring
The Round Brilliant cut also known as round or brilliant is one of the most common approaches to cutting a diamond and one of the most widely used in engagement diamond rings. The name is indicative of the stone’s round shape after it is finished with the cutting process. The top is circular in shape with an edge that can be thousands of a millimeter thick called the girdle. From the girdle up, also called the crown, the stone tapers off and is flat on the top, an area called the table. Many facets or multi-directional flat surfaces are polished around the circumference of the stone in between the girdle and top of the stone. The area underneath the girdle is similar, however; the bottom of the stone comes to a point. This part of the stone is called the pavilion. The round cut allows light to enter through the top of the stone and be reflected off the many facets creating an internal glow known as fire or brilliance. Any inclusions, which are foreign material that becomes trapped when the diamond forms or non-precise cuts on the stone will diminish the stone’s ability to refract light, hence diminishing its fire or brilliance. The round cut is most commonly utilized to maximize color in a stone.
Emerald cut ring
An emerald cut diamond ring or diamond is different from the more common round cut because of its larger table, rectangular facets, and overall design. For the layperson, an emerald cut somewhat resembles a candy bar or rectangle shape. The facets along the crown and pavilion of emerald cut diamond rings are rectangular in shape as opposed to a more triangular one in round cuts. The girdle is thicker and the overall cut gives the stone a different light refraction and looks than a round cut. This cut is most commonly used to maximize clarity in a stone. Emerald cut diamond engagement rings were very popular after the turn of the 19th century and have since been surpassed by other popular cuts like a princess and round brilliant.
Princess Cut rings
The princess cut can be thought of as a crossover between round and emerald cut engagement rings. Its overall design of pavilion and crown are similar to that of a round cut, however, the shape of the girdle is square. While the traditional cut is this shape, princess cuts can vary greatly in how square or rectangular they are. Many jewelers can provide dimensions upon request of buyers for the particular true shape of a princess cut diamond. This particular cut attempts to maximize both color and clarity, however, stones of lower color grades tend to show more in princess cut diamonds where the corners of the stone act to make the color show more readily than a round cut. This would also be true for an emerald cut diamond engagement ring.
The average consumer will not have a raw uncut stone that they need cut. In many cases, jewelers or diamond cutters decided what is best for a raw stone and there is no need for a consumer to have a great knowledge of which cuts are necessary for a particular stone. These factors are important however if you want a stone with good color, clarity or quality. Knowing what a cut should look like in general will help you determine what stone to purchase. If you are looking for a stone that is exceptionally white or clear with no color, you know you should be looking at round or princess cuts that are processed to maximize these attributes. If you are more concerned about the clarity of a stone, an emerald cut engagement ring or loose stone is what you should be looking at. Of course, many other cuts are not so common that diamonds can be shaped into. Knowing the basics will help you make an informed decision about what to buy when looking for an emerald cut ring.
How Do You Know That Your Princess Cut Diamond Ring is the Real Thing?
Princess cut diamond rings are currently extremely fashionable and available as a solitaire or in a different setting. Some people combine a center princess cut diamond with a different shape of stone on either side in a three stone diamond ring. If you love emeralds or sapphires but believe an engagement ring should have a diamond, this could be the combination you are looking for. Others will have either a Pave or channel setting to add more diamonds to the ring thus increasing the overall sparkle factor.
But how do you know that your princess cut diamond engagement ring is the real thing? When the stone is over 0.7 carats, it should come with a certificate of authenticity. The metal contained in the ring should also be hallmarked using the three specific marks. If you do not see these markings it is probably not a genuine ring.
You do have to be careful as there are some wonderful imitation stones on the market and sometimes these can fool jewelers never mind the general public. Don’t fall for the line that a real diamond will cut glass. Of course, it will but so will many of its imitations. If you suspect a problem then walk away from the purchase. There are plenty of jewelers who are ethical and will be happy to provide you with the necessary paperwork for your special purchase.
Diamonds are not the only stones that are open to imitations. All gemstones can be fakes so if you find a deal that looks too good to be true, it probably so walks away. Yes, you can get great deals on princess cut diamond engagement rings by shopping around. But if there is a huge difference in price, it may mean that something is not quite right. Either the jewelry is stolen or it is a copy and not a real diamond.
With the current economic recession, some jewelers are struggling to sell sufficient stock to meet their overheads. This can mean great deals for potential buyers as often they can make an offer for the ring of their choice. If paying in cash, the jeweler may give you a significant discount.
You won’t find princess cut antique engagement rings as the style of a cut was only developed about 30 years ago. This doesn’t prevent you from buying a vintage ring and having it restyled if you want to. Just make sure that you are in fact getting an excellent deal as recutting a diamond is not always easy. It may have been cut in the original style to hide a flaw. If you are worried about the popularity of this cut making it impossible to find a unique ring, you could buy some princess cut loose diamonds and have your own ring made by a jeweler or craftsman.
A Princess cut platinum engagement ring can be truly beautiful and most brides to be would be thrilled to receive it. They would also be quite happy to receive the matching earrings or eternity ring on future occasions.
Why is the Princess Cut Diamond Ring Popular?
Princess Cut diamond rings are a very modern style of engagement ring. The actual cut was only invented about 30 years ago so you won’t find any antique or vintage rings with this particular style. Despite the fact that it has only been available for such a short period of time, the cut has become extremely popular.
One reason for the popularity is that this particular cut doesn’t waste so much of the original stone. This means that you can get quite a large diamond for a lot less money than some other popular styles. The cut is much more forgiving than the Emerald or Asscher which highlight rather than hiding the flaws found in some diamonds.
The technical name for princess cut diamond rings is the square modified round cut. The 58 facets maximize the brilliance and shine of the diamond also adding to their popularity. The cut is a modification of the original Barion cut invented by Basil Watermeyer. As any gemologist will tell you, a cut should reflect as much light as possible. When a rough diamond is found, it is studied intently before a decision is made on what type of cut will maximize the value. The decision is based on a number of factors not least of which will be whether the larger flaws, if any, can be removed during the cutting process.
As with all diamond jewelry, your decision should also be based on the clarity and color of the stone. When buying a princess cut diamond, if you can afford it go for a grading of D, E or F but with a minimum of H. For clarity, you should try to get a classification of at least a VS2.
You could decide to buy loose diamonds so that you can have a unique setting for your special ring. There are many different places from which to buy loose stones and it can sometimes work out less expensive than buying the full product. Also with readymade pieces and such a popular style, there is a risk that another girl in your office or circle of friends may have a similar ring. Although we all want to be fashionable, being unique with our wedding choices is important to most brides.
Depending on your budget and your taste, you will have to decide whether you want to buy a solitaire or another style of ring. The princess cut does suit a three stone diamond ring very well as the regular shape of the diamonds means the stones sit together properly with no gaps. People often chose the pave setting of smaller diamonds in both the band and wedding band in order to add to the overall sparkle of this beautiful cut.
Based on current statistics the round brilliant cut is the most popular with princess cut diamond engagement rings is a close second choice. It is rather ironic really seeing that this style was invented in order for diamond dealers to get more usage out of and therefore more dollars for their rough diamonds. Not the most romantic inspiration for a ring is it?
Diamond Perfection: Princess Cut Diamond Engagement Rings
A princess cut diamond engagement ring speaks volumes to a woman. A princess cut diamond ring says, “I adore you. You and this diamond are alike in your beauty and rarity. This diamond, like our love, is precious and eternal. Every time you look at this ring on your finger, I want you to be reminded that you are loved and adored.”
This simple phrase sums up the swirl of emotions that every woman experiences when presented with a princess-cut diamond engagement ring by her beloved. It’s not just about possessing a precious gem, it’s about the feeling of being loved that it brings. There is no alternative to a princess-cut diamond ring, whether you are a man preparing to ask the love of his life for her hand in marriage, or a woman who wants to possess a fitting symbol for her fiancé’s love.
Most women love jewelry, and which woman doesn’t dream of having a gorgeous diamond engagement ring? There’s something about diamonds that makes women covet them, and most of us secretly expect to be given one, but men don’t easily understand this need. One thing the man in your life needs to understand is: Most women, secretly or outspokenly, dream about finding the right person to spend the rest of their lives with.
More importantly, every woman wants to be made to feel that they are special and to be treated as such. A princess-cut diamond ring is a romantic symbol of love everlasting, and nothing can make a woman feel more loved and more secure in a relationship than to be engaged with a princess-cut diamond ring.
Nowadays, a lot of people are turning to the Internet to find diamond engagement rings. The main reason for this is because of the convenience of shopping online, and also the availability of unbiased reviews from legitimate review websites. The latter comes in handy in selecting a ring. Some men who have purchased the ring online and some women who have received the ring are creating reviews to help you make an informed purchase.
Additionally, buying an engagement ring online from websites such as Amazon allows you to avail of special offers that are only available online. Some websites offer site-specific discounts, deals, and savings; allowing them to obtain rings for less than the normal retail price. For a selection of gorgeous princess-cut diamond engagement rings, click this link: Princess Cut Diamond Engagement Ring.
Making the one person you love most in this world feel special doesn’t have to be expensive.
Recently, a new trend of right-hand diamond rings has begun to emerge. Although diamond rings are commonly regarded as wedding or engagement rings, more and smarter, an independent woman prefers not to wait around for a man to give them a princess-cut diamond ring.
The kind of woman who would choose to buy herself her own princess cut engagement ring or one of the other popular diamond cuts is smart, savvy, strong, and financially independent. A woman likes me!
See Reviews of Engagement Rings at Amazon
Engagement Rings with Princess Cut Diamonds – Princess Cut Diamonds Are a Popular Engagement Ring Option
All of the gorgeous engagement rings in this collection are fashioned with Princess Cut diamonds. Some are diamond solitaires, and others have additional diamonds within their designs.
Princess Cut diamonds have square, rectangular or flat ‘faces’. The back sides of the diamonds are cut in a stair-step fashion to bring out a gem’s brilliance. The corners of a Princess Cut diamond is intact and must be well protected in the setting to avoid damage. The Princess Cut works well in many types of settings, both solitaire, and styles created from multiple diamonds. This collection includes engagement rings created from platinum and from both 14 and 18 karat gold.
14 Karat White Gold Ring with Princess Cut Diamond
The Princess Cut diamond used as this ring’s focal gem weighs 0.50 carat and is held in place by a four-prong setting that elevates it to rest slightly above the small round stones that surround the larger gem. Additional princess-cut diamonds flow down the ring’s shoulders. Smaller diamonds weigh 0.8 carat total. The ring’s setting is created from 14 karats white gold.
Engagement Ring with 1.25 Carat Princess Cut Diamond in 18 Karat Gold
Bold and contemporary… both terms can be used to describe this solitaire engagement ring. A 1.25 carat Princess Cut diamond is displayed in an 18 karat white gold cathedral setting, lifting it above the band. Be sure to look at the side view of this ring — it isn’t nearly as elevated as a typical tall setting, but might not be the best choice for some lifestyles. We can help you choose the best engagement ring setting for her lifestyle.
1 Carat Princess Cut Diamond Set in 14 Karat Yellow Gold
This solitaire engagement ring’s setting is primarily 14 karats yellow gold, but the 1 carat Princess Cut diamond is set into a white gold trellis setting, which lifts the gem and helps enhance its brilliance. Once you’re viewing the ring, look at the photo of its side to see its shape (and how the two colors of a gold merge).
Build an Engagement Ring with a Princess Cut Diamond
This tool allows you to build an engagement ring that’s just right. I’ve found that, for Princess and some other cuts, it’s best to follow the ‘Choose Your Setting’ pathway first, and then select the square shape (just to the right of the round line-image). The tool will then display a very large number of varied settings. If you see one you like, over the image or click for more information, and then review the details that explain which cuts and carat weights are suitable for the setting. After that, choose a diamond and finish building the ring. It’s a nice tool and allows you to preview rings from several perspectives.
Small Princess Cut Diamonds Set in 14 Karat White Gold
This pretty engagement ring is budget-friendly. Four Princess Cut diamonds are clustered side by side in an invisible setting, creating the appearance of a larger gem. Small round diamonds accent the band on each side of the focal area. The ring is created from 14 karat gold, and diamonds weigh a total of 1/4 carat. Priced just under $500.
What’s a Princess Cut? | Engagement Ring Guide
The princess cut diamond was created in the 1980s and still to this day is one of the most popular fancy-shaped diamonds. The princess cut diamond has a square shape face up as you can see here. It’s unique in the sense that it has a brilliant faceting arrangement on both its crown and pavilion. Unlike an emerald that has step cut stones and looks like more of a mirror when you look at it, this diamond has a lot of brilliance and a lot of shine.
Because the rough diamond that the princess is cut from has a very similar shape to the princess cut diamond itself, there’s not a lot of loss in carat weight when cutting the diamond, so you often see cost savings with this cut. When you put a princess cut next to a round diamond, you also get a bigger face up look if you’re comparing millimeter sizes. It’s a really great choice to maximize your budget and get a lot of value for what you end up purchasing.
When it comes to setting a princess cut diamond, I would suggest using a very simple four prong setting. I would have four claw prongs, one in each corner, and put it on a very simple and delicate shank. Adding princess cut diamonds to the shank can actually be a nice complement to the center stone and solitaire focus of this diamond.
If you’re shopping for a princess cut diamond lose, I would suggest seeing a few next to each other. Because it’s a fancy shape, there can be some variation between one and the other. Typically, the princess has a one to one ratio, so it should be as close to a square as possible. But, there are occasional princess cut diamonds that are a little bit more rectangular than they are square, so it’s important to see a few before you select the one want that you want for your engagement ring.
Happy Shopping!
Super Cute Charm Bracelets