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A princess cut is a square (or slightly rectangular) brilliant-faceted diamond with sharp, uncropped corners — the second-most-requested engagement ring shape after round brilliant, prized for its crisp modern outline and high fire. Guru Diam stocks princess cut as IGI-certified, CVD-grown lab-grown loose diamonds, with 185 pieces currently on hand from our New York Diamond District desk.
What is a princess cut diamond, and why is it so popular?
A princess cut is a square or rectangular brilliant, typically faceted with around 76 facets in a chevron (inverted-V) pattern on the pavilion rather than the pie-shaped wedges of a round brilliant. That faceting keeps most of a round brilliant's fire and scintillation while trading the circular outline for sharp corners and clean lines — a look that reads modern and pairs naturally with baguette or trapezoid side stones in a three-stone setting. Princess also cuts more efficiently from rough than round, historically making it a strong value proposition alongside its popularity; with lab-grown production, that efficiency carries straight through to trade pricing.
Princess cut spec and setting considerations
Princess cut's sharp corners are its signature look and its main setting consideration:
- Corner protection. Unprotected corners are the most chip-prone point on the stone; specify V-tip prongs or a corner-protecting bezel detail rather than open prongs.
- Length-to-width ratio. True square runs close to 1.00 L:W; buyers wanting a slightly rectangular look should ask for the exact ratio, not just "princess," since labeling varies by cutter.
- Depth. Princess cut typically runs deeper than round brilliant (65–75% depth is common) to preserve fire despite the squared outline — factor that into carat-weight-to-face-up-size expectations.
| Spec | Detail |
|---|---|
| Outline | Square (or slightly rectangular) |
| Facet count | ~76 (chevron pattern) |
| Facet style | Full brilliant |
| Growth method | CVD-grown |
| Certification | IGI standard; GIA available on request |
| Stone type | Certified single stones (not melee) |
| On-hand count | 185 pieces |
| Sourcing path | In-stock or made-to-order |
Princess cut vs. radiant cut: avoiding a common mix-up
Buyers and clients often use "princess" and "radiant" interchangeably, but they're distinct cuts and worth separating before a client order goes in. Princess is a full brilliant with sharp, uncropped corners and chevron pavilion faceting; radiant is a hybrid cut with cropped corners (closer to an octagon in outline) and a mix of brilliant and step facets. The two also photograph differently — princess reads as a crisper, more geometric square, while radiant's cropped corners soften the outline. If a client asks for "princess" but describes cropped corners, confirm the shape before quoting, since the two aren't interchangeable in setting or price.
Sourcing princess cut wholesale
Guru Diam carries princess cut as trade-only, wholesale inventory — no retail markup — from our New York Diamond District desk (36 West 47th Street, Suite 601A) and our Los Angeles office (607 South Hill Street). In-stock pieces ship same-day from New York; a custom setting, corner-protected mounting included, runs CAD-to-finished-piece in 4–6 days.
Princess cut is also available in fancy color, though at far lower volume than standard — square brilliant faceting shows color less efficiently than a step cut, so it stays a specialty request. See our fancy color princess cut guide for that side of the category.
Ready to buy? Open a verified wholesale account at /signup and book time with a gemologist at /book-appointment.
FAQ
What is a princess cut lab-grown diamond? A princess cut is a square or slightly rectangular brilliant-faceted diamond with sharp, uncropped corners, typically cut with around 76 facets in a chevron pattern. It's the second-most-requested engagement ring shape after round brilliant.
Why do princess cut diamonds need special prongs? The sharp, uncropped corners are the most chip-prone point on the stone, so mountings typically use V-tip prongs or a corner-protecting bezel detail rather than open prongs.
Is IGI or GIA certification available for princess cut lab-grown diamonds? IGI is standard across Guru Diam's princess cut inventory, with GIA available on request.
How many princess cut diamonds does Guru Diam have in stock? 185 pieces as of this writing, spanning a range of sizes, colors, and clarity grades from our New York Diamond District desk.
How fast can I get a princess cut stone or a finished custom piece? In-stock pieces ship same-day from New York. Made-to-order cutting plus a finished custom piece (CAD to jewelry) runs 4–6 days from our New York and Los Angeles desks.
Is princess cut the same as radiant cut? No. Princess is a full brilliant with sharp, uncropped corners; radiant has cropped corners and a mix of brilliant and step facets, closer to an octagon in outline. Confirm which shape a client means before quoting, since they aren't interchangeable in setting or price.
