Princess Cut vs Cushion Cut: Which one to Choose?

When it comes to diamonds, each cut has its own charm and beauty that make them unique. No two diamond cuts are alike hence it all comes down to the diamond. Finding a diamond that not only suits your tastes but also your budget can be quite a hard task.

Princess cut and cushion-cut diamonds are two of the very famous and popular diamond cuts in the market. Princess cut and cushion cut both have a geometrical appearance that pleases a lot of minimalistic and contemporary people with varying differences.

Each has a different fan following for different reasons.

Princess-Cut Diamonds

Princess cut diamonds are perfectly square diamond cuts that sparkle with brilliance and fire. The second most popular diamond cut, princess cuts diamonds feature straight edges with sharp corners. These square-cut diamonds are as brilliant as round brilliant diamonds.

Princess cut diamonds first made an appearance in 1961. They were also called ‘square modified brilliant’ and ‘profile cuts’ based on their cut and similarity to round brilliant diamonds. With up to 76 facets around them, princess cut diamonds are full of brilliance and sparkle that is bound to grab everyone’s attention.

Since these diamonds are more about sparkle and brilliance, they make an excellent case in not showing their true colors. In fact, most of their colors are concentrated at the corners, making it hard to tell the difference between two diamonds of consecutively different grades when kept side by side. This also works in the favor of the buyer lower color grades are quite acceptable when it comes to princess cuts. 

Princess cut diamonds refract up to 70% of the light that enters within them. That percentage not only makes them highly refractive and reflective but also gives them an upper hand over Cushion cut diamonds.

Cushion-Cut Diamonds

Cushion cut diamonds or old mine cut diamonds, are soft square or rectangle diamond cuts that sparkle with soft gleam and elegance. One of the most popular diamond cuts, cushion cuts diamonds has rounded edges with blunt curved corners. They might be as brilliant as princess cut diamonds but they do have an unparalleled sophistication that is highly unique.

Cushion diamonds first made their appearance in the 1700s. They were also called ‘old mine cuts’ due to them being the way old mined diamonds were cut. They are one of the oldest cuts of diamonds. In fact, they were the standard diamond cut until the 19th century when new and modified diamond cuts started making their appearance.

Cushion cut diamonds have 58 facets which give these diamonds a less sparkly nature compared to princess cut diamonds. 

Cushion cut diamonds have subpar color retention, which makes colors within them quite visible. They retain their natural color best. Because of their comparatively less brilliance to princess cuts, it is easier to spot inclusions and blemishes inside a Pillow cut diamond.

Due to their rounded blunt corners, their color doesn’t tend to accumulate at the corners. Hence it is not suggested to go for a lower grade of a diamond, not below H, when it comes to color. But these colored influences can be nullified if yellow gold or rose gold is chosen as the metal for the same. 

Due to their variety of sizes, choosing the wrong cushion cut diamond may either end up looking way similar to the round brilliant diamond or radiant cut diamond. The preferable ratio of L-W happens to be 1.00-1.30. Elongated cushion cuts have their own unrivaled charisma.

Pros and Cons of Princess Cut Diamond and Cushion Cut Diamond

Like all diamonds, even princess cut diamonds and cushion-cut diamonds have their pros and cons. So let us look at them. 

Sparkle

The cushion-cut diamond resembles a round diamond which provides excellent fire and brilliance. Princess cut diamonds also provide fire and brilliance but when compared to cushion-cut it falls short.  

Price 

Both the diamonds are comparatively cheaper when it comes to the brilliant round cut because less waste is produced while cutting them. But demand affects the price and princess cut diamonds are high in demand compared to cushion-cut. 

Versatility

Both diamonds look excellent with almost every setting and have gained mass popularity nowadays. Both these diamond shapes, even placed in a setting that suits your hand, are bound to add extra appeal to your attire. 

Size

Cushion-Cut Diamond makes an amazing yet bulky impression because of the shape it has been cut into. The princess cut diamond tends to give an impression of an elongated finger because of its shape and geometry. A princess-cut diamond is a more sleek option and can make your finger appear larger.  

Which Diamond Cut is Best: Princess Cut or Cushion-Cut Diamond?

Neither is truly superior to another; it is simply a question of taste. If you want a more contemporary style, a princess-cut diamond is the way to go. The cushion-cut, on the other hand, works nicely in a variety of situations if you prefer a more classic look. 

Cushion-Cut diamonds are excellent at illuminating color, and the soft, round edges lend a classic touch, particularly when used in a halo arrangement. However, they can make a diamond appear smaller than it is, so if you choose a cushion-cut, you may want to go with a greater diamond to compensate.

Princess cuts are more architectural in structure than cushion cuts, providing it with a sleek, sophisticated, regal feel. They have the most vivid brilliance of any cut, following only the round cut, making them a popular option for engagement rings.

Cushion-Cut Diamonds Ring Setting

SOLITAIRE SETTING:

Due to its soft gleam on top of its symmetrical shape, solitaire settings work amazingly with pillow-cut diamonds. Combining a warmer cushion cut diamond with yellow gold or rose gold gives it a very vintage vibe. Also using a combination of two metals can make it very unique and enhance its antique charm.

HALO SETTING:

If the vintage charm of the Cushion cut is not enough as it is, adding a halo around it may work for you. Since Cushion cut diamonds aren’t the sparkiest diamond, the halo might just make the center diamond appear more dazzling and bolder.

Princess Cut Diamonds Ring Setting

SOLITAIRE SETTING:

Due to its rectilinearity, solitaire settings work great with diamonds having Princess cuts as these diamonds shine bright all by themselves. Placing a square-cut diamond with white gold or Platinum will provide an utmost chic and sophisticated look that would be unrivaled.

HALO SETTING:

If you feel like enhancing the beauty of the princess cut diamond, then do get a halo around the center diamond. A halo has small accent diamonds in the periphery of the center stone. They refract and reflect part of their light into the center stone making it sparklier.

Halo settings are also great since they made the center diamond appear bigger in size by giving an illusion of increased surface area.

THREE STONE SETTING:

Opting for side stones on either side of the center stone can make your diamond look gorgeous. Side stones can be half-moon diamonds, triangles, trillions, baguettes, and even small princess cut diamonds as well.

Conclusion

When it comes to the argument of what is better: Princess cut or Cushion cut? There is no explicit winner. Neither is superior or finer than the other. It all comes down to personal choices; of what you like. Though if you are going for an overall charm of modern, then Princess cut diamonds are the best choice. But if it is a vintage and minimalistic look for you, then it is 

Cushion cut diamonds. And if you are still having issues with choosing between them, go for something that has both stones in it. It might be slightly expensive but it will look gorgeous with a perfect combination of modern and vintage.