What’s the difference between a princess and emerald cut? 

What’s the difference between a princess and emerald cut? 

If you’re a fan of a square stone shape, you might be looking at princess cut and emerald cut diamonds. Alternatively, you may be thinking of popping the all-important question soon, and wondering why you should opt for one shape over the other. No matter the reason, read on for more information on what sets a princess cut and emerald cut apart. 

What is a princess cut and what is an emerald cut? 

Both the princess cut and emerald cut are square cuts of diamond or gemstone. However, they do have some differences. An emerald cut is an elongated rectangle, with bevelled corners, whereas a princess cut is a square cut with sharp corners. 

What are the differences between princess and emerald cuts? 

The main difference to the eye is the shape of a princess and emerald cut. An emerald cut is a rectangle, whereas a princess cut is a square. But the differences do not stop at just their shapes. An emerald cut has bevelled corners, giving it an 8-sided shape. This complements its step cut structure, which gives it a subtle sparkling effect. The emerald cut was a popular shape for jewellery in the Art Deco era, and therefore it has a vintage feel. 

The princess cut is a square, with sharp corners, and a brilliant facet structure. This gives the princess cut an almost ‘chevron’ appearance and means it is a more sparkling cut than the emerald cut. The princess cut is a popular shape in modern jewellery, and therefore has a chic, en-vogue feel. 

Why should you choose a princess cut over an emerald cut? 

• Because princess cuts are brilliant cuts, there is a large amount of light within the stone, due to its facet structure. This means you can actually ‘get away’ with opting for a princess cut with a slightly less high-quality colour, as this will be masked by the bright appearance of this stone. In practical terms, this means you might be able to opt for a princess cut that looks great to the eye, on slightly lesser specifications – meaning it could be a great option for your budget. With an emerald cut, due to its makeup, you need to have a higher quality of all aspects of the diamond to achieve the same look. 
• Another thing to consider if you’re choosing between a classic round solitaire and a princess cut, is that a princess cut diamond will typically be cheaper, as there is less diamond wastage. 

However, the main reason you should choose a princess cut over an emerald cut is personal preference. If you tend to gravitate towards modern jewellery designs, you might just prefer a contemporary princess cut over an emerald cut. 

Why should you choose an emerald cut over a princess cut? 

• The emerald cut diamond can be a very practical shape for an engagement ring, if your partner has a job where they use their hands a lot, or if they care for young children. This is because of the emerald cut’s bevelled edges. Because the edges are ‘softer’, they are unlikely to scratch or snag. 
• An emerald cut as an engagement ring option is also a great choice for someone who wants to complement their fingers. A more elongated stone – such as an emerald cut – will cause the optical illusion that the fingers are longer and more slender. 

If you prefer a timeless, classic look, you may opt for an emerald cut over a princess cut, as they are a traditional stone shape, with a vintage feel. 

Still can’t decide which diamond cut to go for? 

Still can’t decide between a glamorous princess cut and a timeless emerald cut? Get in touch with our friendly team of experts here, who will be more than happy to help you find your dream diamond.