Princess Engagement Rings: The Complete Guide
Princess is the modern minimalist, the shape for someone decisive, who prefers clean design over ornamentation. This guide covers why buyers choose it, what it costs, how it compares to round, and which of our 15 princess styles fit different budgets, plus every question we get asked before someone buys one.
Princess: The Modern Minimalist
Choose this cut if the personality behind the proposal runs modern and architectural rather than soft and traditional. Its square, pointed-corner silhouette trades round's constant shimmer for sharp, confident flashes of light, a look that suits someone whose taste is understated but entirely sure of itself. It's the pick for anyone who wants brilliance without the curves.
It also has zero vintage baggage attached to it. There's no "classic era" this cut belongs to, which is exactly the appeal for a wearer who wants something that reads as current rather than traditional.
What makes this cut sparkle
A princess cut is faceted differently to a round brilliant, typically with around 76 facets arranged to work within its square shape. It won't throw quite the same fire as round, since a square silhouette has less surface area to work with per carat, but the flashes it does produce are sharp and geometric rather than a constant shimmer, matching its clean, architectural personality.
How much does this shape cost
Princess typically costs less per carat than round, since less of the rough diamond is wasted cutting a square shape compared to a circular one. That makes it a practical choice if you want more carat weight without the round-cut premium. Setting style still moves the price: a plain four-prong solitaire is the most affordable way to wear it, while a halo or pave band adds cost through extra stones and labour.
How it compares to round and other shapes
Compared with round, this cut costs less per carat and reads as sharper and more geometric rather than softly brilliant. Compared with cushion, it has crisp, pointed corners rather than rounded ones, and a cleaner, more modern feel. For the full side by side breakdown across all eight cuts we carry, see our Engagement Ring Shape Guide.
Who this shape suits best
It suits people drawn to clean, geometric lines over soft curves, whose taste already runs modern and minimal in their wardrobe, their home, everything they choose. It's also a practical pick for daily wear, since its pointed corners tuck neatly under most protective settings, unlike a cut with an exposed tip. If maximum brilliance matters more to you than clean lines, a round cut from our Round Engagement Rings guide may suit better.
Protecting the corners
The one real practical consideration with this cut is its four sharp corners, which are the most vulnerable point on the stone if it's knocked hard against something. The Gemological Institute of America (GIA) notes this as a general characteristic of square, pointed-corner cuts, not a defect specific to any individual stone. A setting that covers or reinforces the corners, like a V-prong or a protective halo, reduces this risk significantly. It's worth asking about corner protection specifically when you're choosing a setting, especially for a ring worn daily.
What carat weight looks like on the hand
A 1 carat princess cut typically measures around 5.5mm along each side, a compact, clean footprint since the square silhouette doesn't stretch across the finger the way an elongated stone does. At 1.5 to 2 carats, the stone starts to read as a genuine statement piece, with the flat sides and sharp corners making the size read larger visually than a round stone of the same weight would.
Shop the styles
15 of our most-loved princess pieces, from plain solitaires to halo and pave settings, are below. Every stone is a genuine lab grown diamond in 14K gold.
Browse the full princess collection
Choosing the right setting for you
A four-prong setting with prongs positioned over each corner is the most common and most protective way to wear this shape. A V-prong setting, shaped specifically to cup each corner, offers even more protection and is worth the small extra cost if the ring will see daily, active wear. A halo adds surrounding diamonds for extra brilliance and also gives the corners a small amount of additional coverage.
Every stone in this collection is a genuine lab grown diamond, chemically and optically identical to a mined one. Your choice of shape doesn't change that, it only changes the silhouette and how the light returns.
Caring for your ring after you buy it
Check the corner prongs more often than you would on a round or oval setting, since the corners are the most exposed part of the stone. For the full routine, see our guide on how to care for your engagement ring.
Frequently asked questions
What is a princess cut diamond? It's a square or rectangular diamond shape with pointed corners, faceted to bring brilliant-cut sparkle to a geometric silhouette rather than the softer curves of a round or cushion cut.
How many facets does a princess cut diamond have? A princess cut typically has around 76 facets, arranged to maximise light return within its square shape, though it produces sharper, more geometric flashes rather than round's constant shimmer.
How much does a princess cut diamond cost? It typically costs less per carat than a round diamond of the same weight, since less of the rough stone is wasted cutting a square shape compared to a circular one.
Is princess cut a good choice for an engagement ring? Yes, especially for buyers who want a modern, geometric look and a lower cost per carat than round. The main practical consideration is protecting the four corners with the right setting.
Does a princess cut chip easily? The corners are more vulnerable than a rounded shape's edge, but a protective setting like a V-prong or halo significantly reduces this risk for everyday wear.
Can I get this shape in rose or white gold? Yes, every setting in this collection is available in Lucira's 14K gold options, so your choice of shape doesn't limit which metal tone you choose.
Is a princess cut engagement ring right for you
If you want brilliance with clean, geometric lines rather than round's soft shimmer, and a lower cost per carat along the way, this is the shape to choose. Just make sure the setting protects the corners well, since that's the one real vulnerability of this cut. Explore the full collection below, or head back to our Engagement Ring Shape Guide to compare it against the other seven shapes.
