Emerald vs Princess Cut Diamond (8 Differences)

Emerald and princess cut diamonds are fit for engagement rings and other jewelry, but there are distinctions you should know.

The main difference between emerald and princess cut diamonds is emerald cuts have an elongated, rectangular shape and step-cut facets. Princess cuts are square with brilliant facets. This results in princess cuts having strong light performance compared to the subtle sparkle of emerald cuts.

Let’s compare emerald versus princess cuts across eight characteristics, including an overview of each, their shapes, fire and brilliance, prices, and more.

What are Emerald Cut Diamonds?

Emerald cut diamonds are distinguished by their long, linear facets that run parallel across the table. This feature creates a rectangular surface area that’s larger than most cuts. 

Check out this emerald cut in high-resolution, and pay close attention to its facets.

Notice how you can trace the start of one as it stretches across the diamond. This is far more difficult to spot on a round-cut.

Emerald cuts often have 57 facets shaped like a set of steps that begin at the middle of the diamond and work their way outward.

Each of its four corners are beveled with polished edges, resulting in eight sides. In most cases, four are identical in length, and the other four also mimic each other.

Some buyers use them as the center diamond on engagement rings because they cost less than brilliant cuts and offer an alternative to the traditional style. 

You can purchase a higher carat weight for the same price as a princess cut.

They’re often compared to a baguette diamond. From a distance, emerald and baguette cuts have similar shapes, but the difference lies in the beveled corners. 

In a baguette cut, they’re squared off.

What are Princess Cut Diamonds?

Princess cuts are known as “square modified brilliant” diamonds because of their rectangular or squarish shape with pointed corners. 

If you view it from the bottom-up, it looks like a pyramid.

Here’s an example of a princess cut viewed from the top-down.

Compare its individual facets to the emerald cut above, and notice how small they are in comparison. It’s difficult to identify where each one begins and ends.

Most have 50-58 facets located on the crown and pavilion. Others stretch across its girdle.

Although it’s considered a square diamond like Asscher and radiant cuts, some have a length-to-width ratio of up to 1.05. 

If it falls between 1.00-1.05, it’ll resemble a square when viewed with the naked eye.

If the ratio goes above 1.05, it may not exhibit strong light performance because the shape isn’t optimal to collect and return it.

You’ll find princess cuts on top of engagement rings or used as accents that surround the main stone or line the shank. 

What are the Differences Between Emerald and Princess Cuts?

1. Fire and Brilliance

Princess cuts have superior fire and brilliance compared to emerald cuts.

Fire refers to colored flashes of light that radiate from a diamond when it reflects light. Brilliance is the white light. 

Together, they create scintillation when it’s twirled. I captured this photo of a princess cut’s fire and brilliance while it was rotating, so you can view both the colored and white light.

Emerald cuts have subdued light performance because of step-cut facets. They aren’t designed to collect and reflect the maximum amount of the light.

Step-facets are larger than brilliant ones. Instead of a triangular shape, they’re elongated and create a “hall of mirrors” effect.

Brilliant cut facets, on the other hand, have a singular purpose: reflect as much light back to the viewer as possible. 

It’s a coveted feature, which is why brilliant cuts like round and princess cut diamonds are often used as the center diamond in an engagement ring.

The way the facets are cut also result in less light leaking through the pavilion and culet.

If you’re looking for a diamond with the most sparkle, we recommend choosing a princess cut over an emerald cut.

2. Clarity

Diamond clarity refers to the extent of inclusions, or flaws, within its facets. They develop during its formation and take many forms, such as: 

• Twinning wisps
• Feathers
• Bruises
• Cavities

Each affects the gem’s brilliance, appearance, and durability.

Some cuts hide or reveal inclusions more than others because of the way they reflect light.

Two diamonds could have the same type of inclusions that are the same size, but to the naked eye, one is more noticeable than the other.

Princess cuts hide inclusions more effectively than emerald cuts because of their brilliant cut facets. The white and colored light flashing from the stone can cover the appearance of any number of minor blemishes.

So you can choose a lower clarity grade and still have a diamond that appears flawless without magnification. 

For example, this princess cut diamond has an SI1 clarity grade. 

Although it has inclusions like black spots, its brilliance will diminish their visibility.

This emerald cut diamond also has an SI1 clarity grade, but the dark speck is more noticeable on the step-cut facets.

For a princess cut diamond between 0.50 and one carat, an SI1 clarity grade means it could be eye-clean, but for emerald cuts, I recommend starting at VS2.

You’ll avoid the premiums for higher clarity grades but can still find one that appears identical to a flawless diamond with the naked eye.

3. Color

Many of the same concepts as clarity are true of color. Colorless diamonds are more valuable than ones with yellow or brown tints, when all other qualities are equal.

Brilliant cuts hide these shades more effectively than step-cut facets.

As an example, this princess cut earned an I color grade from the Gemological Institute of America. When viewed in high-resolution, it still appears colorless.

This emerald cut also earned an I color grade, but the yellow tint is obvious.

The way the facets are cut result in less brilliance, which exposes its color.

If you want a diamond that appears colorless, save money on a princess cut by choosing one with a lower color grade compared to what you’d need with an emerald cut.

I recommend starting your search for an emerald cut at an H color grade and I for princess cuts.

4. Size

The size of a diamond is measured in carats, which is a unit of weight equal to 0.2 grams. So two diamonds that are each 0.8 carats are considered the same size.

But if two that weigh the same are placed next to each other, one may look larger depending on the cut.

Emerald cuts often look larger than princess cuts because of their rectangular shape. The carat weight is spread across a larger surface area, which makes the diamond look bigger.

Princess cuts are more condensed and may have a deeper table. More of the weight is hidden beneath the diamond, which reduces the size of its appearance to the naked eye.

The difference in the visible appearance of size is still subtle. You might assume the emerald cut is only 0.05 or 0.10 carats heavier than the princess cut, so I don’t recommend basing your decision on this quality.

You could also choose a slightly larger princess cut to compensate for this shortcoming.

5. Price

If you’re comparing the prices of princess versus emerald cuts, you’ll find princess cuts are more expensive. 

This is primarily driven by demand, but some cuts also result in more waste of the rough diamond. Manufacturers charge a higher price to compensate.

The best way to understand the price difference is to compare gems that have the same grades across color, clarity, and carat weight.

I assessed prices for princess and emerald cuts from James Allen, where I bought my wife’s engagement ring, that had the following grades:

• Carat weight: 0.90
• Color: G
• Clarity: VS2

The average price for an emerald cut with these qualities is $3,727, with a range of $2,970-$4,440.

For a princess cut, the average price is $3,856, and the range is $3,180-$4,310.

That’s a three percent premium for princess cuts over emerald cuts.

Blue Nile explains how the price for a diamond depends on the cut by assessing their prices for a sample of one carat diamonds with the same grades across the four Cs.

The average price of a princess cut in their sample is $1,746, and emerald cuts are $1,547.

The 13 percent difference shows prices for these cuts can vary depending on the retailer and other aspects like its proportions and specific inclusions.

But either way, you’ll pay less than you would for a round cut. In the latter sample, the average price was $1,932.

6. Durability

Consider the durability of your diamond. A chip diminishes its appearance and brilliance and could loosen it from its prongs.

Emerald cuts are more durable than princess cuts because of their beveled edges.

One of the most vulnerable piece of a diamond is pointed corners, and princess cuts have four of them.

I’ve highlighted that area on the image below.

If it’s dropped or hit against a hard surface, these are the areas most likely to chip, especially if there are inclusions nearby.

That’s why I recommend choosing a setting that protects these corners but also doesn’t put too much pressure on it.

Emerald cuts are more susceptible to chipping than diamonds with rounded edges, like round, cushion, or oval cuts.

7. Settings

To create the perfect engagement ring, you need a pair a princess or emerald cut with the right setting. Both cuts fit a variety of settings, such as:

• Solitaire
• Halo
• Three-stone
• Hidden accents
• Pave
• Channel

For example, this emerald cut engagement ring from James Allen features a halo setting in 14K white gold, with pave diamonds lining the shank.

The halo emphasizes its rectangular shape while also adding brilliance. Another advantage is this setting mimics the appearance of a larger center diamond.

You can also choose a three-stone setting for princess cuts with tapered baguettes on both sides of the diamond, like this ring.

The rectangular shape of the two baguette cuts complement the square princess cut, while also not allowing the stones to blend together. 

It’s a simple setting that doesn’t add significant to the cost of the piece.

Princess cuts are often held in place by V-prongs that wrap around the corner. 

It’s an effective way to hold edges in place while also keeping more of the table exposed.

Zoom in on this princess cut with V-prongs and notice how they’re set on each corner.

Then notice how the center diamond is flanked on either side by three channel-set round-cuts.

With emerald cuts, you’ll find the settings feature a variety of styles, from claw prongs to round prongs.

I recommend placing emerald cuts in a setting that features additional diamonds to compensate for its lack of brilliance.

To illustrate, here’s an emerald cut surrounded by a halo and pavé diamonds that line the shank.

The halo highlights the rectangular shape of the emerald cut, and the added diamonds enhance the piece’s light performance.

Pair princess and emerald cuts with several unique settings to land on the right style for your ring.

8. Popularity in Engagement Rings

Princess cuts are the second most popular cut for engagement rings, representing about 20 percent of sales. 

This is a result of the many pros of princess cuts, which include:

• Lower price compared to round cuts
• High amounts of brilliance and fire
• Alternative shape that fits many types of settings

Emerald cuts are the fifth most popular cut, behind round, princess, marquise, and cushion cuts. About three percent of engagement rings feature this cut. 

This is despite the many pros of emerald cuts such as:

• They have a lower price per carat than brilliant cuts
• It looks larger than some other cuts, even if they have the same carat weight
• The elongated shape can make your fingers look slimmer

Emerald cuts often rank right above oval and pear cuts in popularity.

How to Decide Between Emerald and Princess Cuts

Comparing emerald versus princess cut diamonds involves understanding how they differ across the traits that make up a gem. 

Beyond their visible appearance, consider costs, the designs of settings, and how it impacts color and clarity.

Here are some guidelines to help you decide between the two cuts.

Opt for an emerald cut if:

• The look of rectangular, step-cut facets are appealing
• The lack of brilliance compared to princess cuts isn’t an important factor for you
• You want to pay less per carat than you would for a brilliant cut

A princess cut may be right for you if:

• You want an alternative to a round cut that doesn’t sacrifice too much brilliance and fire
• You’ll choose a setting that protects its vulnerable corners
• It’s important the diamond hides inclusions and yellow tints when viewed with the naked eye

By matching an emerald or princess cut diamond with a unique setting, you’ll create the right ring for you.