Princess Earrings: The Complete Guide
A princess cut diamond earring features a square or rectangular outline with pointed corners, combining brilliant-cut facets with a geometric silhouette, making it the most common fancy (non-round) shape chosen for stud earrings. This guide covers why people choose it, what it costs, how the cut actually works, who it suits best, and which of our styles fit different budgets, plus every question we get asked before someone buys a pair.
Why choose princess diamond earrings
Pick this shape if you want strong sparkle with a modern, geometric look, and prefer stud styles over drops. Because square and rectangular rough diamonds can be cut with less waste than round shapes, princess cut diamonds are generally more efficient to produce and often priced lower per carat than round diamonds of equal quality.
The trade-off is the four corners, which are points of potential weakness similar to a cushion or emerald cut, so a setting that covers or protects the corners is standard practice.
Who this shape suits best
It suits buyers who want strong sparkle with a modern, geometric look, and who prefer stud styles over drops. It's also a value-conscious choice, since the cutting process wastes less of the rough stone than a round brilliant, often translating to a lower price per carat for comparable quality.
If the wearer wants the softest, most classic silhouette instead, round from our Earring Shape Guide remains the more traditional choice.
What makes this cut sparkle
The princess cut uses a brilliant-style facet pattern (typically 76 facets) arranged within a square or rectangular outline rather than a round one, giving it strong sparkle alongside sharp, modern lines. That higher facet count compensates somewhat for the less rounded shape, keeping fire close to round-brilliant levels while delivering a distinctly geometric look.
How much do princess diamond earrings cost
Princess cut diamonds are generally more affordable per carat than round diamonds of comparable quality, since square and rectangular rough diamonds can be cut with less waste than round shapes. That makes this one of the better-value entry points on our list for buyers who still want strong sparkle.
What actually matters when judging quality
Check the length-to-width ratio: a ratio close to 1.0 gives a true square, while anything above 1.05 starts to look rectangular. Confirm the setting protects all four corners, since a chip at a corner is both more likely and more visible than on a round or oval stone. Princess cut diamonds hide inclusions and slight colour tints better than step-cut shapes like emerald, so SI1 clarity and near-colourless grades often look clean to the eye at a lower cost.
How it compares to the other seven shapes
If you want strong sparkle with a modern, geometric look at a lower price point than round, this cut is the strongest value pick on our list. Cushion gives a similar squared silhouette with softened, more durable corners; emerald gives a rectangular look with far less sparkle. For the full side by side breakdown of sparkle, perceived size and vibe across every option, see our Earring Shape Guide.
What this shape looks like on the ear
A 0.50 carat stone in this silhouette measures roughly 4.7mm per side per earring, reading as a compact, sharp-edged square at the earlobe. Because the corners extend slightly further than a round diamond's uniform curve, princess studs can read marginally larger face-up at the same carat weight.
The geometric outline also pairs distinctively with modern, minimalist styling, an effect buyers often specifically seek out in this cut over a softer round silhouette.
Mistakes worth avoiding
The most common mistake is choosing a setting that leaves the four corners exposed; an unprotected corner is both more likely to chip and more visible than a flaw on a round or oval stone. The second is not checking the length-to-width ratio before buying, since a ratio noticeably above 1.0 shifts the look from a true square to a rectangle, which may not match what was expected.
The third is assuming princess needs the same V-prong treatment as marquise or pear; it doesn't, since a standard four-prong setting with corner coverage is sufficient protection for this shape's four points.
Shop the styles
16 of our most-loved pieces in this silhouette are below, out of 21 total styles in the collection. Every stone is a genuine lab grown diamond in 14K gold.
Browse all 21 pieces in this collection
Choosing the right setting for you
A four-prong setting with corner coverage is the standard protective choice, cupping each point rather than leaving it exposed. A bezel setting goes further, smoothing the entire outline for the lowest-maintenance option. A screw-back is a sensible upgrade for daily wear, keeping the geometric silhouette squarely facing forward rather than twisting through the day.
A halo setting adds surrounding diamonds to boost perceived size without raising carat weight; a plain solitaire stud keeps the square silhouette clean and uncluttered, which is where this shape's modern character shows best.
Caring for your earrings after you buy them
A well-chosen setting still needs routine care to stay secure and bright. For the full routine, see our guide on how to care for your lab grown diamond earrings.
Frequently asked questions
Are princess cut earrings cheaper than round diamond earrings? Generally yes, since the square shape can be cut from rough diamond material with less waste than a round brilliant, making princess cut diamonds typically less expensive per carat for comparable quality.
Do princess cut earrings need special settings? Yes. A setting that covers or reinforces the four corners helps prevent chipping, since corners are more exposed than a rounded outline.
What's the difference between princess and cushion cut? Princess cut has sharp, pointed corners and a more geometric brilliant-cut pattern; cushion cut rounds off the corners for a softer, more vintage look.
How many facets does a princess cut diamond have? A typical princess cut has around 76 facets, a higher count than a round brilliant, which helps keep its sparkle close to round-brilliant levels despite the squared outline.
What length-to-width ratio makes a true square princess cut? A ratio close to 1.0 gives a true square; anything above 1.05 starts to read as a rectangle instead.
Is princess cut a good choice for everyday earrings? Yes, as long as the four corners are protected by the setting; the shape otherwise wears just as durably as any other diamond cut.
Is this shape right for you
If strong sparkle, modern geometric lines and good value per carat matter to you, this is the right call, as long as the setting protects the four corners. It's one of the most popular fancy shapes for exactly this combination of look and price. Explore the full collection below, or head back to our Earring Shape Guide to compare it against the other seven options.
