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When it comes to choosing diamond engagement ring styles, it’s good to narrow down your preferences. But, if you are big on the sparkle factor, then your choices might lead you to these two: the round cut vs princess cut.
Both known for their beauty and brilliance, choosing one wouldn’t be in any way inferior because they are both stunning in their own ways.
Having said that, let’s take a look at princess cut versus round cut diamond and find out which fits your style more.
Round Cut vs Princess Cut Shape Differences
The main difference between these two cuts is their physical forms. While both have 58 facets(flat surfaces), their shapes are visibly distinct from each other.
The princess cut features a square tablet with beveled sides and looks like an inverted pyramid. The shape sometimes looks a bit rectangular depending on the raw diamond’s shape and the buyer’s preference.
Created by London-based diamond cutter Arpad Nagy in 1961, it is considered a more modern cut compared to the classic round which has been around since 1919 when Marcel Tolkowsky created it.
The round cut has a circular top and its small facets are designed to take, refract, and reflect maximum amount of light.
Sparkle
The round and princess cuts are your top two choices when it comes to light performance. This refers to the way they emit white light and flashes of it when viewed from top view and from any direction. Both have 58 facets that allow them to respond to light in a way that shows off their intense force, brilliance, and scintillation.
But why are round cut diamonds considered the most brilliant of all? Because of its cut that combines mathematics and artistry to come up with the optimum placement of facets.
The round cut maximizes how light moves when it hits the diamond. It also reflects over 90% of light while the princess cut reflects 70%. This makes the round cut more brilliant than the princess cut and every other diamond cut out there.
Color
This actually refers to the diamond’s absence of color or colorlessness. The more colorless a diamond is, the more precious and valuable it is. Lower grade diamonds would have some light yellow or brown tinge giving them less ability to reflect light, hence, relatively less brilliance.
Unless you prefer colored diamonds like blue and pink which are actually more rare and expensive, you’d want your diamond to be as near to a colorless state as possible. The round cut reflects light better than the princess cut — this gives it more ability to hide color and show off its undimmed sparkle.
Clarity
This refers to the absence of flaws in the diamond like inclusions or the internal flaws, and blemishes or external flaws. Like color, the round cut also has more ability to hide flaws making it a good choice if you want a pristine looking diamond.
While flaws are unavoidable in natural, mined diamonds, hiding them gives the stone a more resplendent look. High clarity means high price.
Size
The princess cut’s wider, square (sometimes subtly rectangular) table or top surface. This gives it an illusion of looking bigger than a round cut diamond of the same carat weight.
So if you want a large looking diamond that also scores high on the sparkle meter, the princess cut is the one for you.
Value
The round cut is the most expensive diamond out there because it takes a lot of skills to craft it and it also has the most raw diamond wastage during the cutting process. And because of its brilliance, it has the highest market demand that contributes to driving its value and price up.
All That Sparkles is Not The Same
If you’re still undecided in this round vs princess cut diamond option, here are our tips. Choose the round diamond if you want a classic, high grade looking, uber brilliant piece that screams luxury and budget is not an issue.
But if you want to stay within your budget, enjoy a good amount of brilliance, and want a large looking diamond — the princess cut is your best bet.
It also has a more modern and unique aesthetic that works well for those who want their rings to stand out from the sea of round sparklers out there.
Why Choose Othergems?
When it comes to buying diamond engagement rings for woman, choosing the right source is the best way to do it. We boast over 30 years of expertise with a long list of clients in New Work and worldwide, a testament to our dedication to quality craftsmanship and product integrity.
At Othergems, our in-house diamond artisans can create a bespoke engagement ring according to your cut, clarity, color, and carat choices. We also have a wide selection of curated diamond engagement rings of various styles, wedding bands, and other jewelry pieces you can readily choose from.
Once you’ve made your princess cut vs round cut pick , you can contact us so we can turn your dream ring into reality.
Price
Are round diamonds more expensive than oval? Yes. In fact, round diamonds are the most expensive of all diamond cuts of similar cut grade, carat, color, and clarity.
Why are oval diamonds cheaper than round?
Well, round diamonds enjoy higher demand, making it pricier than other cuts. They also encounter the most raw diamond wastage during the cutting process, which adds to the cost of each piece.
Why Choose Othergems?
Whichever wins on the oval vs round engagement ring arena, Othergems.com offers an impressive selection of high-grade natural and lab-diamonds.
The Othergems legacy of quality diamond craftsmanship has made it one of the most trusted designers and retailers of diamond rings and other fine jewelry in New York and beyond.
For stunning bespoke and ready-made creations, visit our site and find the perfect diamond engagement ring for you or your loved one. Our collection includes only artisan designs, from timeless to avant-garde, created by the best diamond crafters in the world.