Princess Cut Engagement Rings

A shallow square shape is indicative of a diamond or gemstone that has been shaped into a princess cut. This is a relatively new cut, which closely resembles the more well-known emerald cut. The length to width ratio of an emerald cut stone is about two to one, whereas the dimensions of the princess cut stone are roughly one to one.

Shaping a diamond is all about diminishing any flaws it might contain. It also involves creating the most brilliant gem possible through a process known as faceting. Facets are flat surfaces that are left on the diamond so that light can enter and reflect through them.

Sizing up the Princess Cut

Princess cut engagement rings typically have numerous facets. In fact, it is not uncommon for a princess cut gem to have up to 70 facets. This is the reason the princess cut diamond is so sparkly and why it works very well as a solitaire.

Another measurement used to assess a diamond is its depth percentage, which gauges how deep the diamond is in relationship to its width. This measurement is a good guide for gauging the diamond's brilliance. For a princess cut, the ideal depth percentage is around 70 percent.

In a princess cut, the bulk of the weight is directed toward the center of the stone. Of course, this tends to cause the sides to bulge and too much bulging is considered undesirable. Also keep in mind that princess cut diamond rings tend to look best on people with long slender hands. However, beauty is in the eye of the beholder, and the popular princess cut is worth a second (and third) look.