When I got engaged I looked at hundreds of stones and finally told my fiancé to choose the one that most reminded him of me. I am happy to say that he chose a princess. The princess cut diamond can be described as brilliant, effervescent, bright, and detailed with the finest scintillation. The diamond expert said that this was a great cut for a girl who was outgoing and lively…it was perfect!
Designed in 1979 by Ygal Perlman, Betzalel Ambar, and Israel Itzkowitz, the princess cut diamond earned its name for its unique beauty and simplicity in design. It took nearly three years to develop the notably square shaped diamond and has remained one of the most desired diamond shapes ever since. While it is recognized in the open market as a “Princess Cut” diamond, the shape is commonly referred to as a “Square Modified Brilliant” on most lab reports like those issued by the GIA (Gemological Institute of America), AGS (American Gem Society), or EGL (European Gemological Laboratory). The difference in terminology can be a bit confusing to consumers shopping for the shape by name.
However, the confusion has not deterred consumers from buying the princess shape diamond, as it is known to exhibit incredible fire and sparkle. Princess cut diamonds are a great choice of cut since they pick up light and shine brightly like a round diamond but are not as costly since there is less diamond weight lost during the cutting process. Round stones are shaved down at the edges while the princess cut maintains its corners and its overall weight; therefore a favorite of diamond cutters.
When shopping for a princess cut diamond there are a few things to keep an eye out for. Firstly, look for large length and width measurements in your carat weight range to give the appearance of a bigger diamond. The ideal length to width ratio is 1:1, a perfect square. Generally the best princess cut diamonds have a table of 62%-76%, crown height of 10%-15%, and a total depth of 64%-76%. I suggest not going below an H-I color and SI1 clarity to ensure your diamond will be completely eye clean. Polish and symmetry are two important factors to inquire about when shopping for the Princess cut. The finer the polish and the higher the quality of the symmetry, the more it will reflect the light and result in the “bling” you are seeking.
The Princess cut is considered a timeless classic though it is only a few years older than most couples getting engaged these days. It can be playful, elegant, or downright gorgeous once it is set in any of a multitude of engagement ring settings. Once you have chosen your loose princess diamond, try it in several settings to be certain that you will be as in love with it as you are with the fellow who has given it to you. Whether you choose a tiffany style setting with nothing on the sides, or lined with baguettes, trillions, or imbedded rounds, you are not going to be able to keep your eyes off of your hand…once you put on your engagement ring.
Go to Brilliance.com for more information on the Princess Cut Diamond or to choose the diamond shape that is right for you.
