Princess vs Cushion Cut Diamonds
Princess Cut
Cushion Cut
Princess and cushion are both popular square-shaped alternatives to the round brilliant. Princess offers sharp, geometric lines for a modern aesthetic, while cushion has soft, rounded corners for a vintage-inspired look.
Both are brilliant cuts with excellent fire and sparkle, but they differ in durability, price, and the type of settings they suit best.
| Feature | Princess Cut | Cushion Cut |
|---|---|---|
| Corners | Sharp, pointed — require V-prong protection | Rounded — naturally durable |
| Brilliance | Exceptional — chevron facets create intense sparkle | Excellent — broader, romantic flashes of light |
| Price per Carat | 20–30% less than round | 15–25% less than round |
| Face-Up Size | Appears slightly smaller than carat weight | Appears proportional to carat weight |
| Durability | Sharp corners are vulnerable to chipping | Rounded corners — more durable |
| Style | Modern, geometric, contemporary | Vintage, romantic, soft |
| Colour Retention | Hides colour well in lower grades | Can show warmth — recommend G+ colour |
When to Choose Princess
Princess is ideal if you prefer clean, geometric lines and a contemporary aesthetic. The sharp corners create a bold, architectural look. Princess cuts offer excellent value — typically 20–30% less than round brilliants — while delivering intense sparkle from their unique chevron facet pattern.
The key consideration is durability: sharp corners must be protected with V-prongs, and the stone is more vulnerable to chipping if struck at the corner. This makes the setting design critically important.
When to Choose Cushion
Cushion is ideal if you love the soft, romantic aesthetic of vintage jewellery. The rounded corners make it more durable than princess and eliminate the need for V-prong corner protection. Cushion cuts produce broader, warmer flashes of light — what gemmologists call "fire" rather than "brilliance."
Cushion cuts are available in both square (1.00:1) and elongated (1.15:1 to 1.30:1) ratios, offering more versatility in visual proportion than the always-square princess.
Our Verdict
Princess for modern geometric style and slightly better value. Cushion for vintage romance, greater durability, and more flexibility in proportions. Both are excellent choices that offer significant savings over round brilliant.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is more popular, princess or cushion?
Cushion has overtaken princess in popularity over the past decade, driven by the vintage jewellery trend. However, princess remains the second most popular fancy shape overall. Both are excellent choices that will never go out of style.