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Ideal Cuts

<table><tbody><tr><td>Shape </td>
	<td>Princess cut diamonds continue to be one of the most
 popular diamond shapes. They are elegant and full of sparkle. You cannot
 go wrong with them, especially if they are well-cut and set in a beautiful
 <a href="https://www.petragems.com/halo-engagement-rings/">halo setting</a>. </td></tr>
<tr>
	<td>Cut </td>
	<td>Since the GIA does not assign a cut grade to princess
 cut diamonds, you must have a basic idea of their ideal proportions to
 make an informed decision. Ideally, a depth of 62-74% and a 58-70% table
 is preferred. Follow our chart below carefully for a thorough examination. </td></tr>
<tr>
	<td>L/W Ratio</td><td>What is your preference in terms of&nbsp;length-to-width ratio in a princess cut diamond? Do you want a square or a
 rectangular princess cut diamond? Perfect ratios are 1-1.05 for square and 1.2-1.3 for
 rectangular shapes. </td></tr>
<tr>
	<td>Color </td>
	<td>D-F Color are top color grades. G is also an exceptional grade. H/I offers great value.&nbsp; </td></tr>
<tr>
	<td>Fluoresence&nbsp; </td>
	<td>Avoid it in D-G color. H-J colors are not often affected by it negatively and might in fact benefit from it. </td></tr><tr>
	<td>Clarity </td>
	<td>For up to 1 carat princess cut diamonds, SI1 and even at times SI2 is safe. For above 1.5 carat, a minimum SI1 or VS2 is recommended. </td></tr>
<tr>
	<td>Certification </td>
	<td>Buy a princess cut diamond graded by either GIA or AGS. </td></tr>
<tr>
	<td>Settings </td>
	<td>Princess cut diamonds have sharp corners and can be
 susceptible to chipping if unprotected. Please ensure they are set in
 secure prongs; we prefer the v-prongs, provided they are mounted&nbsp;correctly. Here is a list of our unique <a href="https://www.petragems.com/princess-cut-engagement-rings/">princess cut engagement Rings</a>. </td></tr>
<tr>
	<td>Best Places </td>
	<td>Here is a list of our&nbsp;<a href="https://www.petragems.com/education/best-place-to-buy-diamonds-or-engagement-rings-online/">top-rated online retailers</a>&nbsp;to consider while
 shopping for a princess cut diamond. </td></tr><tr>
	<td>4Cs </td>
	<td>In terms of prioritizing the 4Cs, here are the four
 scenarios shoppers often consider.&nbsp; When shopping for a&nbsp;high-quality stone, the D-F and VS1+ is good (<a href="https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/princess-cut/1.51-carat-e-color-vs1-clarity-sku-6775425/?a_aid=5c83f22427304" class="external" rel="nofollow">option 1</a>). When shopping for big stone without
 compromising the quality, the G+ and VS2+ is good (<a href="https://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/princess-cut-loose-diamond-4087222.htm?a_aid=5c83f569cab95" class="external" rel="nofollow">option 2</a>). When shopping for a diamond with a slightly low grading on the other 3Cs to prioritize carat weight, the I+ and SI2 range is good (<a href="https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/princess-cut/1.51-carat-i-color-si1-clarity-sku-17755180?a_aid=5c83f22427304" class="external" rel="nofollow">option 3</a>). Due to budget constraints, compromise&nbsp;on color in the
 fourth scenario to maximize carat, clarity, and cut (<a href="https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/princess-cut/2.00-carat-k-color-vvs1-clarity-sku-18604297?a_aid=5c83f22427304" class="external" rel="nofollow">option 4</a>).</td></tr></tbody></table>

Key Insights

Princess cut diamonds do not receive an official cut grade
 in GIA reports; however, AGS assign them a cut grade. This lack of a
 universally agreed-upon standard for the <a href="https://www.petragems.com/ideal-cut-diamond-proportions/">proportions</a>
 of the princess cut presents a challenge for both diamond suppliers and
 consumers.

We recommend a diamond with a total depth ranging from 68%
 to 70%, with a permissible tolerance of 5%. Additionally, ensure that the
 diamond's polish and symmetry grade is graded as very good at a minimum.

The key to optimizing a princess cut diamond's brilliance
 lies in achieving a well-balanced cut that avoids excessive depth or
 shallowness. Please refer to the chart below while evaluating a princess cut
 diamond's cut quality.

James Allen's High Definition <a href="https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/all-diamonds/?a_aid=5c83f22427304" class="external" rel="nofollow">3D Videos with 40X</a>
 Magnification is a valuable resource worth considering. These videos offer a
 detailed visual representation of how the specified proportions impact the
 diamond's appearance. They also aid in identifying diamond inclusions,
 particularly black crystals. Experimenting with the available filters is also
 helpful in identifying the best options within your budget range.

<table class="MsoNormalTable" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" width="780" style="width: 98.5089%; margin-left: 0.397614%;">
 <tbody>
 <tr>
 <td valign="top" style="width: 34.3478%;">
 Depth %
 Excellent:
 64-74.9
 Very
 Good: 64-74.9
 Good:
 59-64/75.5-81
 Fair:
 56.5-84
 Poor:
 &lt;54 or &gt;84
 </td>
 <td valign="top" style="width: 35.8261%;">
 Table %
 Excellent:
 62-69
 Very
 Good: 58-61/71.1-73.9
 Good:
 55-59/75-81
 Fair:
 55-81/52-85.3
 Poor:
 &lt;52 or &gt;87
 </td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
 <td valign="top">
 Crown Height %
 Excellent:
 10-16
 Very
 Good: 9-15.5
 Good:
 6-17.9/8-17
 Fair:
 5.2-18/4.1-20
 Poor:
 &lt;3.2 or &gt;21
 </td>
 <td valign="top">
 Girdle
 Excellent:
 Very Thin-Slightly Thick/Thin-Thick
 Very
 Good: Very Thin-Slightly Thick/Thin-Thick
 Good:
 Very Thin-Thick
 Fair:
 Very Thin-Very Thick
 Poor:
 Extremely Thin-Extremely Thick
 </td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
 <td valign="top" colspan="2">
 Culet
 Excellent:
 None
 Very
 Good: Slight
 Good:
 Small
 Fair:
 Average
 Poor:
 &gt;Average
 </td>
 
 </tr>
 <tr>
 <td valign="top">
 L/W: Square
 Excellent:
 1.00-1.05
 Very
 Good: 1.00-1.05
 Good:
 1.00-1.05
 Fair:
 1.059-1.079
 Poor:
 &gt;1.079
 </td>
 <td valign="top">
 Rectangular
 Excellent:
 1.26 -1.45
 Very
 Good: &lt;1.20 - &gt;1.50
 Good:
 &lt;1.18 - &gt;1.55
 Fair:
 &lt;1.15 - &gt;1.65
 Poor:
 &gt;1.70.00
 </td>
 </tr>
 </tbody>
</table>

The chart above
 represents a set of guidelines created for you to use as a rule of thumb when
 evaluating the cut of a princess cut diamond. We advise you to avoid a princess
 cut diamond whose depth percentage is smaller than its table percentage.The image below shows a 1 carat square and rectangular princess
cut diamonds for reference. A&nbsp;rectangular princess cut diamond might be the best choice for individuals with slender fingers.<a href="https://www.petragems.com/princess-cut-engagement-rings/"><img src="https://admin.petragems.com/api/Images/Picture65.jpg" alt="princess diamond engagement rings" width="742px" height="310px" title="princess cut engagement rings" style="width: 742px; height: 310px;"></a>

Ideal Princess Cut Proportions

H or I Color in a
 princess cut diamond will give you more value for your money, although the
 higher the <a href="https://www.petragems.com/education/diamond-color/">color</a>, the better the diamond. When evaluating the color of a
 princess cut diamond, it is crucial to look for a stone that does not have a
 visible yellow tint. Hence, you will be better off if you do not choose a color
 grade lower than G, H, and/or I.

It is not essential to
 spend additional money to buy a colorless princess cut diamond, i.e., those
 graded as D, E, and/or F. Any <a href="https://www.petragems.com/education/colorless-diamonds-d-e-f-color/">colorless grades</a> will not have a
 noticeable color difference to the naked eye, unlike I or J colors. G and H
 color diamonds are also high-quality stones and should be a top choice for
 people with a limited budget.Fluorescence can influence the quality of a diamond and is
mainly related to the diamond's color. In short, it should be avoided in
colorless diamonds, while it might be a positive factor in near colorless or
faint diamonds. Because blue is a complementary color to yellow, blue fluorescence
can make faint color diamonds whiter than their actual color.&nbsp;Learn more
about <a href="https://www.petragems.com/education/diamond-fluorescence/">diamond fluorescence</a>.<a href="https://www.petragems.com/education/diamond-color/"><img src="https://admin.petragems.com/api/Images/Picture63.jpg" alt="complete diamond color chart" width="800px" height="522px" title="full diamond color chart" style="width: 800px; height: 522px;"> </a>

Color in Princess Cut Diamonds

We like princess cut
 diamonds because of their proportions and ability to exhibit significant
 brilliance and sparkle, unlike other diamond shapes. In addition, it is a
 valuable aspect of princess cut diamonds because their brilliant proportions
 make their inclusions less visible.

Although princess cut
 diamonds with&nbsp;<a href="https://www.petragems.com/education/diamond-clarity/">clarity</a>&nbsp;lower
 than SI1 are rare, you may still find your dream princess cut diamond if you
 focus on buying one with <a href="https://www.petragems.com/education/vs1-vs2-si1-si2-diamond-clarity-/">VS1, VS2, SI1, and/or SI2</a> graded clarity.

When buying these
 sparkling diamonds, make sure that the one you choose does not possess
 visible inclusions in its corners. Large inclusions lead to weakened corners,
 making the diamond susceptible to chipping.<a href="https://www.petragems.com/education/diamond-clarity/"><img src="https://admin.petragems.com/api/Images/Picture50.jpg" alt="diamond clarity scale" width="710px" height="415px" title="diamond clarity chart" style="width: 710px; height: 415px;"></a>

Clarity in Princess cut Diamonds

In addition to the well-known 4Cs, it is imperative for buyers to be familiar with the following key aspects of a princess cut diamond grading report or certificate, as highlighted in the image below:<img src="	https://admin.petragems.com/api/Images/img-1692936240.jpeg" alt="princess cut GIA certificate" width="860px" height="523px" title="princess cut GIA grading report" style="width: 860px; height: 523px;"> Watch <a href="https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/princess-cut/1.50-carat-g-color-vs1-clarity-sku-17996945?a_aid=5c83f22427304" class="external" rel="nofollow">HD Video</a> of this Diamond.Measurements: This holds significance as it provides the buyer with information about the surface size of the diamond, indicating how large the diamond will appear in millimeters. It will also provide you with the length-to-width ratio by dividing the length by the width (in the above case, it is 6.41/6.25=1.02).Fluorescence: This should be regarded as the 5th C. Given that the color is G, avoiding fluorescence or selecting faint fluorescence is the optimal choice in this specific example. However, medium blue fluorescence is not as concerning as strong blue fluorescence.Comments: This section will display factors related to clarity and will also highlight whether a diamond has undergone clarity enhancement, utilizing methods like laser drilling or color enhancement, among others. Additionally, be attentive to comments such as "clarity grade based on clouds," which is a worrisome indicator within clarity grades of VS2 and below. The laser inscription of the report number on the girdle is positioned above the comments section, offering an optional service for added verification.Proportions: This chart is the most crucial for assessing the cut of a diamond. Specifically, pay attention to the table percentage (72% in the example - excellent), depth percentage (71.5% - excellent), girdle (medium to slightly thick - excellent), and culet (none - excellent).Clarity Characteristics: This section will indicate the types of inclusions and their respective locations. It can help buyers avoid diamonds with visible inclusions at the center. These details are also useful for correlating the report with the diamond, as these inclusions serve as the diamond's unique birthmarks.

Reading a Grading Report for Princess Cut

Consider these four
 scenarios while shopping for a princess cut diamond. Our experience tells us buyers will usually pick one of the following scenarios.&nbsp;Here is more on <a href="https://www.petragems.com/education/how-compromise-diamonds/">how to prioritize the 4Cs</a>.<a href="https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/all-diamonds/?a_aid=5c83f22427304" target="_blank"><img src="https://admin.petragems.com/api/Images/img-1687674586.png" alt="James Allen Diamonds" width="379" title="James Allen" height="212"></a>



Scenario 1: A buyer's priority is getting the highest color, clarity, and cut grade for any carat weight. The perfect fit here would be investment-grade highest
 quality diamonds, Flawless to VVS, D-E color, GIA graded, and no fluorescence.Scenario 2: In this
 category, the shopper is still interested in a high-quality diamond but wants
 to get a bigger stone (we call these "high circulation" and
 "high-value" stones because they are the most traded online). Thus,
 they may go as low as VS clarity and G/H color diamond, very good to excellent
 cut, medium blue fluorescence, and 1.5 carats instead of 1.

Scenario 3: In this
 scenario, the buyer is willing to go as low as possible to get an eye-clean
 stone with decent color and the largest possible size. Therefore, they choose a
 2 carat, SI1/SI2, up to J color, and strong blue fluorescence and are willing
 to consider IGI/HRD certification. If you are in this category, ensure that you
 master diamond clarity because knowing which inclusions to avoid and which could work in your favor can make all the difference.

Scenario 4: The
 shopper knows that they must compromise heavily on 1C to maximize the other
 3Cs. We usually recommend giving up color for maximum cut, carat weight, and
 clarity quality in this category. The stone will look slightly yellowish (a
 warm color might be your preference) but will still have optimal brilliance and
 fire because of the cut, high clarity, and big size.

Balancing 4Cs in Princess Cut Diamonds

Princess Cut Diamond
 Options for Buyers with Budget Constraints:

Excellent Choice

<ul type="disc">
 <li class="MsoNormal">Weight of at least 1.10 carat</li>
 <li class="MsoNormal">Very good to excellent polish and symmetry</li>
 <li class="MsoNormal">G or above in color</li>
 <li class="MsoNormal">Clarity of SI1 or higher</li>
 <li class="MsoNormal">No fluorescence</li>
 <li class="MsoNormal">Length/width ratios: 1-1.05 for square or 1.2-1.3 for
 rectangular shape</li>
</ul>

Very Good Choice

<ul type="disc">
 <li class="MsoNormal">At least 1.00 carats in weight</li>
 <li class="MsoNormal">Good to excellent polish and symmetry</li>
 <li class="MsoNormal">H or above in Color</li>
 <li class="MsoNormal">Clarity of SI1 or higher</li>
 <li class="MsoNormal">None, faint or medium blue fluorescence</li>
 <li class="MsoNormal">Length/width ratios:&nbsp;1-1.05 for square or 1.2-1.3 for
 rectangular shape</li>
</ul>

Good Choice

<ul type="disc">
 <li class="MsoNormal">At least 0.90 carats in weight</li>
 <li class="MsoNormal">Good to very good polish and symmetry</li>
 <li class="MsoNormal">I or higher in color</li>
 <li class="MsoNormal">Clarity of SI2 or higher</li>
 <li class="MsoNormal">None, faint or medium blue fluorescence</li>
 <li class="MsoNormal">Length/width ratios:&nbsp;1-1.05 for square or 1.2-1.3 for
 rectangular shape</li></ul>

Budget Scenarios for Princess Cuts

Are princess-cut diamonds famous?Yes, they are popular
 among shoppers looking for alternative round cut diamond options.
 Although&nbsp;<a href="https://www.petragems.com/education/oval-cut-diamonds/" style="letter-spacing: -0.003em; text-align: var(--mdb-body-text-align); font-size: var(--mdb-body-font-size);">oval</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://www.petragems.com/education/cushion-cut-diamonds/" style="letter-spacing: -0.003em; text-align: var(--mdb-body-text-align); font-size: var(--mdb-body-font-size);">cushion cut diamonds</a>&nbsp;have
 been trending higher than princess cut diamonds lately, the latter is still
 prevalent.&nbsp;

Which one is better: a square or rectangular princess cut diamond?

It depends on your
 taste; we are equally divided when determining which is better. If you have
 thin fingers, rectangular might be the way to go. They will also look bigger
 than squares and might be slightly pricier. However, square shapes are generally
 more popular; you will see more square options on the market than rectangular
 ones.

What is the difference between princess cut and radiant cut
 diamonds?

Radiant cut diamonds
 generally have cut corners and slightly different faceting structures in terms
 of cut. Follow our guide on&nbsp;<a href="https://www.petragems.com/education/radiant-cut-diamonds/">radiant cut diamonds</a>&nbsp;for
 detailed information.

FAQ on Princess Cuts

Betzalel Amber and
        Israel Itzkowitz popularized the fancy French-inspired cut diamond
        in the 1970s. The princess cut diamond is one of the most 

Princess Cut Diamonds In-Depth Buying Guide

Sharif Khan

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