A princess cut diamond (a.k.a. Princess-shaped diamond) is an alternative cut that was created by jewelers Betzalel Ambar and Israel Itzkowitz in the 1980s. It was inspired by the French cut diamond. The princess shape contains a series of chevron facets that create a distinct cross pattern when you look down on it.
Buying a Princess-shaped Diamond
When it comes to buying a diamond your personal taste will have a lot to do with your decision. Of course, you should still have some understanding of the 4 Cs.
First, there’s the cut grade. This is the most important thing for you to look at since it’ll determine your diamond’s sparkle. While there’s an industry-wide consensus that defines the cut grade of a round diamond, this doesn’t exist with a princess cut. This is why it’s important for you to look at the diamond in person before buying it to make sure that it’s sparkly enough for you. You should also realize that it’s very difficult to find an “ideal” cut with these diamonds. If you do manage to find one that fits within your budge3t you should buy it but typically you’ll only find “good” and “very good” cut grades.
Second, there’s the color grade. You’ll want colorless (D, E, F) or near-colorless (G, H, I).
Third, there’s the clarity grade. Although this cut does a great job at hiding inclusions it’s also prone to chipping if the inclusion happens to be located in one of the four corners. This is why you’ll want to take a look at the inclusion report – so you can make sure there aren’t any inclusions on any of the corners. You’ll also want to opt for an eye-clean diamond which is considered VS2 or SI1 clarity.
Fourth, there’s the carat weight. You’ll find that these measurements can vary greatly from one-carat weight to the next. For this reason, you’ll want to focus on finding a diamond that has the right length and width measurements within the range you desire. This will help you rest assured that you’ve found the right carat weight for your budget.
The Bottom Line
These are just some of the considerations you must make. Nevertheless, buying a princess cut diamond is the perfect choice for anyone who has a clean-cut, modern style. Now that you know more about what you’re looking for you can start shopping for the right diamond today.
