When it comes time for you to pick out an engagement ring, one of the most important things that you have to consider is what sort of stone is going to be set in the ring. This decision includes not only what sort of stone you put in there, but the size and shape of the stone. One of your options in this is princess cut engagement rings, which has a square, faceted stone set in the ring.

Princess cut engagement rings are a relatively new thing, since the cut was only invented in the 1970s, but it is a popular cut for many reasons. If you don’t know much about princess cut engagement rings, let’s take a look at why these are so popular.

The Sparkle

The sparkle of princess cut engagement rings tends to be more than with traditional square-cut stones. Traditionally, square stones were cut like emeralds, with few facets to catch light. However, princess cut engagement rings have stones cut more like the modern brilliant cut, which is used for round stones, with many facets to catch the light, creating extra sparkle. This means you’ll have a ring that catches the light well.

Another advantage to this extra sparkle is that it helps to hide any discolorations in diamonds, which are the traditional stone for engagement rings. Depending on the quality of the diamond, many have a slight yellow or brown tint to the stone. However, the extra sparkle does help to fool the eye into seeing less of those discolorations.

The Price

Compared to those with round brilliant cut diamonds, princess cut engagement rings often cost less per carat than the round cuts. This is partly because the diamond cutter doesn’t need to shave off as much of the diamond itself to make the shape, unlike with the round brilliant cut diamonds. This tends to retain carat weight better than the round cuts, which means you can either get the same carat as a round stone in a lower price, or you have a little bit more money with which to purchase a higher carat stone.

Disadvantages

To be fair, though, there are some limitations for the princess cut engagement rings. Because of the square shape, the stones are vulnerable at the corners, which are more prone to wear. Most of the time, the jeweler will be sure to create a setting that helps to protect these corners. However, these stones are often vulnerable when set, and damage can occur at that time. If this does happen, your stone might lose a little of its carat weight as a result of the repair process. Still, quality jewelers are careful and factor this into the cost of the stone up front. So, if you’re looking for a less expensive stone with some of the best sparkle around, princess cut engagement rings are the way to go.