Emerald Cut vs Princess Cut Diamond Shapes
When it comes to choosing a diamond, the cut is one of the most important decisions you'll make. It defines the stone's brilliance, its overall style, and even how it reflects light.
Two popular options are the emerald cut and the princess cut, each known for its unique characteristics and stunning appearance.
Whether you are picking out an engagement ring or a special gift, understanding these cuts will ensure your diamond shines just the way you want it to.
In this blog post, we’ll discuss the differences between these two beautiful diamond shapes to help you decide which might be the right fit for your special piece of jewelry.
What Are Diamond Cuts and Why They Matter?
Diamond cuts refer to:
"how a diamond is shaped and polished, impacting its appearance and how well it reflects light."
The cut directly influences a diamond’s brilliance, sparkle, and beauty. A well-cut diamond will shine brightly, while a poorly cut one will appear dull, regardless of its qualities like carat weight or clarity.
The cut affects the following:
- Stone's proportions
- Symmetry
- Value
- How does light interact with the diamond?
Some cuts maximize brilliance and hide flaws, while others highlight clarity and color. The selection of the right diamond cut is essential to align the stone’s look with personal style preferences, be it classic, modern, or somewhere in between.
What is an Emerald Cut Diamond?
The emerald cut diamond is a sophisticated and elegant choice, known for its rectangular shape with truncated corners, creating a sleek and elongated look.
Unlike round or brilliant-cut diamonds, the emerald cut features large, open facets that run parallel down the length of the stone, known as step cuts.This structured faceting highlights clarity and luster over traditional sparkle or fire.
The name "emerald cut" comes from its initial use for emerald gemstones, as the shape maximizes the stone's natural beauty while minimizing inclusions. Though it's now commonly used for diamonds, the shape maintains its historical association with sophistication and grandeur.
Key Characteristics of Emerald-Cut Diamonds
Emerald-cut diamonds are known to have the following characteristics.
Step Cuts and Their Impact on Appearance
Emerald cut diamonds feature large, open facets that run parallel to one another, known as step cuts. Unlike brilliant cuts that maximize sparkle, these step cuts produce a subtle flash of light, creating a "hall-of-mirrors" effect.
The long, flat facets make this diamond less fiery but provide a unique, elegant shine. The step cuts also highlight the diamond’s clarity, meaning that inclusions (internal flaws) and color are more visible than in other cuts, so higher clarity and color grades are recommended.
Type of Brilliance and Clarity
Emerald cut diamonds do not have the same type of brilliance as brilliant cuts, which prioritize maximum light return and sparkle. Instead, emerald cuts have a quieter type of brilliance, often described as more "reflective" or "glassy."
Their large, open facets allow you to see deeply into the stone, making clarity a crucial factor. While some may prefer the fiery sparkle of other cuts, many love the serene, timeless look of an emerald cut.
Why Choose an Emerald Cut Diamond?
- Timeless elegance: The sleek, elongated design offers a timeless appeal that complements both modern and vintage settings.
- Larger appearance: Emerald cuts tend to look larger than other shapes of the same carat weight due to their broad surface area.
- Versatility: The simplicity of the shape pairs well with a wide range of styles, making it a versatile choice for engagement rings.
- Focus on clarity: The large, open facets of the emerald cut draw attention to the stone's clarity, making it ideal for high-quality diamonds.
What is a Princess Cut Diamond?
The princess cut diamond is one of the most popular modern diamond cuts, known for its sharp, square, or slightly rectangular shape and incredible brilliance. Developed in the 1960s, the princess cut has become a favorite choice for engagement rings and other fine jewelry. Its sharp corners and geometric shape give it a modern, edgy appeal, while its faceting maximizes the diamond's sparkle.
Originating as a combination of the brilliant round cut and the more angular square shape, the princess cut offers the best of both worlds:
- A modern shape
- Brilliant sparkle
This cut is versatile and fits into both classic and contemporary designs.
Key Characteristics of Princess Cut Diamonds
Priencess-cut diamonds are known to have the following characteristics.
Faceting Style and How It Differs from the Emerald Cut
The faceting style of princess cut diamonds is what sets them apart from emerald cuts. Princess cuts feature a brilliant faceting style, with multiple facets cut into the pavilion (the lower half of the diamond) to maximize light reflection.
These facets create a dazzling sparkle, unlike the emerald cut, which uses step cuts for a more reflective, mirrored effect.
Brilliance and Fire
Princess cut diamonds are known for their exceptional brilliance. Due to the unique arrangement of their facets, they reflect light in a way that produces a high level of sparkle and fire.
The numerous small facets create a scintillating effect, making princess cuts one of the most brilliant diamond shapes. This quality makes the princess cut ideal for those who prioritize sparkle and a vibrant look in their diamond jewelry.
Why Choose a Princess Cut Diamond?
- Exceptional brilliance: Princess cuts offer some of the best light performance, making them one of the most brilliant diamond shapes available.
- Modern appeal: With its clean lines and contemporary design, the princess cut is ideal for those seeking a stylish, modern look.
- Cost-effective: Princess cuts tend to be more affordable than round cuts of the same carat weight because of the way they are cut from the diamond rough, maximizing material usage.
- Versatility in settings: The princess cut pairs beautifully with a variety of ring settings, from solitaire to halo designs, and complements both traditional and modern styles.
Differences Between Emerald Cut and Princess Cut Diamond
Here is a complete showdown of differences between emerald cut and princess cut diamonds.
1. Visual Appeal and Style
The most obvious difference between the emerald cut and princess cut diamonds lies in their shape and design.
The emerald cut has a rectangular shape with large, flat facets and cropped corners. It is a step-cut diamond, meaning that the facets are arranged in parallel rows, creating a staircase-like appearance. The cut is sleek, and its clean lines are associated with vintage and Art Deco designs.
The princess cut is square or slightly rectangular with sharp, defined corners. Unlike the emerald cut, it is a brilliant cut, designed with many small facets that maximize the reflection and refraction of light. The square shape gives it a modern and geometric look.
This cut has more facets than the emerald cut, often around 58-76 facets, contributing to its fiery brilliance and flashy appearance.
2. Performance in Light
One of the key factors people consider when selecting a diamond is its sparkle. A diamond’s brilliance is primarily determined by its cut and how well it reflects light.
The step-cut facets of an emerald-cut diamond create a unique "hall of mirrors" effect. This is characterized by flashes of light and dark bands rather than the sparkle or fire found in other cuts. While it offers a subtle, sophisticated sparkle, it lacks the fire and brilliance of a princess cut.
Princess Cut diamond is known for its dazzling brilliance. It is one of the most brilliant diamond shapes after the round brilliant cut. Its numerous facets allow it to reflect light from every angle, resulting in a bright, fiery sparkle. The intense light reflection gives the princess cut a much flashier look.
3. Clarity and Hidden Flaws Unveiled
The large, open facets of emerald cut make inclusions or blemishes more visible. Because the emerald cut is all about clarity and clean lines, it is important to choose a diamond with a certified high clarity grade (VS1 or better) if you opt for this cut.
The step-cut facets don’t hide imperfections as well as brilliant cuts, so diamonds with visible inclusions will be more noticeable in an emerald cut.
The brilliant faceting pattern of a princess cut helps hide inclusions better than an emerald cut. Typically, a clarity grade of VS2 or SI1 will suffice for a princess cut diamond, as the inclusions are less likely to be seen due to the stone’s brilliance and faceting.
4. Durability and Everyday Wearability
The durability of a diamond largely depends on its shape and how well-protected its edges are.
The emerald cut is more durable than shapes with pointed edges. The truncated corners are less prone to chipping. When set in a protective setting, an emerald-cut diamond offers excellent longevity for daily wear. The large, open surface (or table) of the diamond means it’s more exposed to scratches and nicks.
While the princess cut is beautiful, its sharp, pointed corners are more vulnerable to chipping, particularly if not set in a protective prong or bezel setting.
Over time, the pointed corners can wear down, especially if the ring is exposed to daily wear and tear.
5. Visual Size Comparison Per Carat
The cut of a diamond also impacts how large the diamond appears.
The elongated, rectangular shape of an emerald cut diamond creates the illusion of a larger stone. The surface area (or face-up size) is larger compared to many other cuts. This means that an emerald cut diamond can look bigger than its carat weight suggests. This is ideal if you want to maximize the visual size of your diamond without increasing carat weight.
A princess-cut diamond may appear slightly smaller than an emerald cut of the same carat weight. This is because the princess cut is deeper, meaning more of the diamond’s carat weight is in the lower portion of the stone (pavilion), rather than on the visible top surface.
6. Pricing and Value
The cost of a diamond is influenced by its carat weight, clarity, color, and of course, the cut.
Emerald-cut diamonds are typically more expensive than princess-cut diamonds per carat. The reason for this is that the step-cut style requires higher clarity and color grades making these rare and valuable diamonds. Because of the larger surface area of the emerald cut diamond, you may be able to select a lower-carat weight while still achieving the look of a larger diamond.
Princess-cut diamonds tend to be less expensive than emerald cuts. This makes them a more affordable option per carat. Princess-cut diamonds can hide inclusions more effectively, you can opt for a lower clarity grade and still have a beautiful, sparkling diamond, which further helps reduce the cost.
Ideal Emerald Cut Diamond Jewelry Styles
Some ideal jewelry options that showcase the beauty of emerald-cut diamonds are:
Emerald Cut Engagement Rings
Emerald cut diamonds make stunning engagement rings for those who love understated glamour. The elongated shape creates a flattering, elongated look on the finger.
Solitaire settings are particularly popular with emerald cuts, as they allow the diamond’s elegance to shine through without distraction. For an added vintage touch, halo settings or side stones, such as baguettes, complement the step-cut design beautifully.
Recommended Options
- Ferizia - Emerald Shape Diamond Engagement Ring with Channel Set Band
- Darla - 4CT Double Shape Round and Emerald Natural Diamond Eternity Band
- East To West Emerald Cut Natural Diamond Eternity Band
Emerald Cut Earrings
Emerald cut studs are simple yet striking, making them ideal for everyday wear or formal events.
Drop earrings with emerald cut diamonds, particularly when paired with other cuts like pear or round diamonds, offer a dramatic and eye-catching look that exudes sophistication.
Recommended Options
Emerald Cut Pendants
The elongated shape of the emerald cut works wonderfully in pendant necklaces. Whether set in a simple solitaire style or framed by smaller diamonds, emerald cut diamond pendants offer a timeless and elegant look.
These pendants are versatile enough to be worn with casual or formal attire, making them an ideal choice for those seeking something refined and classic.
Recommended Options
- (10.75CT T.W) Classic Natural Diamond Tennis Necklace With Emerald Cut Diamond Center Stone
- Graff - 0.75Ct Heart & Emerald Shape Cluster Diamond Pendant Necklace
Emerald Cut Bracelets
While less common than other cuts in bracelet designs, emerald cut diamonds make for unique and luxurious additions to tennis bracelets or bangles.
The long flashes of light from each emerald cut diamond can create a sophisticated, streamlined look when incorporated into a sleek bracelet setting.
Recommended Options
- Viola - 15CT Emerald Cut Natural Pink Sapphire Tennis Bracelet
- Saint-Tropez - 7 CT T.W Emerald Cut Single Stone Natural Diamond Tennis Bracelet
- 10.50CT T.W East To West Emerald Cut Natural Diamond Tennis Bracelet
Ideal Princess Cut Diamond Jewelry Options
The princess cut diamond's versatility makes it suitable for a wide range of jewelry pieces. Here are some perfect jewelry options for showcasing the brilliance of princess-cut diamonds:
Princess Cut Engagement Rings
Princess cut diamonds are a popular choice for engagement rings, particularly for those who desire maximum sparkle.
The sharp, angular lines of the princess cut to create a stunning geometric look, perfect for both minimalist solitaire settings and more intricate designs like halo or vintage-inspired rings.
Recommended Options
- Andria - Princess Cut Natural Diamond Eternity Band
- Ora - Princess & Round Cut Diamond Stackable Ring
- Sarno - (3.20Ct T.W.) Princess Cut Diamond Engagement Ring with Blue Sapphire Sidestones
Princess Cut Earrings
Princess cut diamonds work beautifully as stud earrings, thanks to their bright sparkle and square shape. Their brilliance catches the light from all angles, making them an excellent choice for adding a touch of glamour to any outfit.
Princess cut diamond earrings are also available in drop or hoop styles, offering a contemporary twist on classic diamond earrings.
Recommended Options
- Telsa -Princess Cut Diamond Studs
- Marquise and Princess Shape Natural Diamond Clustered Stud Earrings
Princess Cut Pendants
For necklaces, princess-cut diamonds are perfect for solitaire pendants that offer a modern, elegant look.
The geometric shape of the princess cut gives these pendants a sleek and contemporary feel, while their brilliance ensures they remain the center of attention. A princess cut pendant can be worn every day or as a statement piece for special occasions.
Recommended Options
Princess Cut Bracelets
Tennis bracelets and bangle-style bracelets featuring princess cut diamonds are popular due to their intense sparkle and modern appeal.
The square shape of the princess cut allows for a seamless row of diamonds, creating a continuous line of brilliance that makes these bracelets both sophisticated and eye-catching.
Recommended Options
- Princess Cut Natural Diamond Tennis Bracelet 18K Solid Gold
- 10.50CT T.W Multi Shape Natural Diamond Tennis Bracelet
Final Note- Emerald Cut or Princess Cut?
Both the emerald and princess cuts offer their own unique appeal. The emerald cut exudes elegance and sophistication, with its long flashes of light and larger visual size, making it perfect for those who love a more refined, vintage style.
On the other hand, the princess cut dazzles with its brilliance and sparkle, offering a contemporary, bold look that appeals to modern tastes.
When choosing between the two, consider your personal style, lifestyle, and what you value most in a diamond. If you prioritize sparkle and don’t mind a modern, geometric shape, the princess cut is ideal. But if you lean towards understated glamour and prefer a timeless aesthetic, the emerald cut will likely win your heart.
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