Ring Guide
Princess Cut Solitaire: A Guide to the Square Diamond
The princess cut is a square diamond with sharp corners and a favourite for modern solitaires. We explain its light, how its corners are protected and the proportions to look for.
3 min readUpdated: October 7, 2026
Short answer: The princess cut is a square diamond with sharp corners; after the round cut, it is one of the most popular shapes for solitaires. Thanks to its brilliant-style facets it sparkles strongly and gives a modern, strong look. When choosing one, check that the stone is really close to square (length-to-width ratio 1.00–1.05), that the corners are protected by prongs, and the cut quality.
What is the princess cut?
Seen from above, the princess cut is square; seen from the side, it is an inverted pyramid. Its facets create crossing, “X”-shaped reflections inside the stone, which give it a lively sparkle. Developed in the second half of the 20th century, this cut quickly became a favourite for modern solitaires.
Why the princess cut?
- A modern look: sharp lines and clean corners; a simple, strong style.
- High sparkle: thanks to its brilliant-style facets, it is one of the most brilliant of the angular shapes.
- Good value per carat: because less of the rough is lost, it is usually more affordable than a round stone at the same carat and quality.
- It sits well with a wedding band: its straight sides sit flush against straight wedding bands without a gap. Wearing a solitaire and a band together.
What to check when choosing a princess stone
How square it is
Stones with a length-to-width ratio between 1.00 and 1.05 look perfectly square to the eye. As the ratio grows, the stone becomes a rectangle; that is a matter of taste, but the classic princess is square.
Protecting the corners
The four corners of a princess are sharp and are its most sensitive points. In a good setting, each corner is wrapped by a “V”-shaped prong. This both protects the stone and brings out the line of the square. Can a diamond break?
Depth and table
Princess stones are cut deeper than round ones, so at the same carat their face looks a little smaller. A 1-carat princess is about 5.5 × 5.5 mm. Very deep stones look even smaller; stones with balanced proportions should be chosen.
Colour and clarity
A princess can show colour a little more at its corners; in white gold, G–H colour is a safe choice. Its brilliant-style facets hide inclusions well; VS2 is usually eye clean. The clarity scale.
Princess cut versus round cut
| Princess | Round | |
|---|---|---|
| Look | Modern, sharp | Classic, soft |
| Sparkle | Very high | The highest |
| Face at the same carat | A little smaller | Standard |
| Sensitive points | Four corners | None |
| Price per carat | Usually lower | The highest |
Princess solitaire and halo: a square halo makes a princess stone look bigger than it is and adds extra protection to its corners. A bezel setting instead of prongs wraps the corners completely; it is a safe option for a very active life. Solitaire settings.
You can see a princess-cut stone on a hand at true scale in our ring designer, and look at the princess designs made in our workshop in the gallery.
Frequently asked questions
It is a square diamond shape with sharp corners. Thanks to its brilliant-style facets it sparkles strongly and gives a modern look. Round is the classic and most brilliant choice; if you want modern, sharp lines and a lower price per carat, choose princess. Both are beautiful for a solitaire. About 5.5 × 5.5 mm. Because the princess is cut deeper, it can look a little smaller than a round stone of the same carat. Its corners are sensitive to knocks. With a setting that protects the corners with V-shaped prongs or a bezel, it is suitable for everyday wear.What does princess cut mean?
Princess cut or round?
How many mm is a 1-carat princess?
Can a princess-cut stone break?
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