Princess Cut vs Cushion Cut Diamonds

Quick answer: Princess cut diamonds are square with sharp, pointed corners and a crisp, modern sparkle. Cushion cut diamonds are square or slightly rectangular with soft, rounded corners and larger, romantic flashes of light. Princess cuts usually cost a little less per carat and look very geometric; cushion cuts feel vintage and hide small flaws well. Protect princess corners with V-prongs; cushions need less corner protection.

Both are square-ish shapes, but their personalities are very different. Here is how to choose.

Princess vs Cushion at a Glance

	Princess	Cushion
Outline	Sharp square corners	Rounded corners, pillow-like
Sparkle	Crisp, bright, modern	Soft, large flashes, very fiery
Style	Contemporary, geometric	Vintage, romantic
Ideal ratio	1.00 to 1.05	1.00 to 1.05 (square) or 1.10 to 1.20
Corner protection	V-prongs essential	Standard prongs fine
Face-up size per carat	Looks smaller than rounds (deep cut)	Similar or slightly smaller than round
Price per carat	Usually lower	Moderate

Durability

Princess cut corners are the most vulnerable point and can chip if knocked. V-prongs or a bezel protect them. Cushion cuts have no sharp points, making them a little more forgiving for active lifestyles.

Shown: Princess Cut Moissanite Vine Engagement Ring with Leaf Accents

Which Should You Choose?

Princess: modern lovers who want clean lines and strong sparkle for the budget.
Cushion: romantics who love soft shapes and big flashes of fire.

Read princess cut pros and cons and cushion cut moissanite rings.

Princess and Cushion at Ivevar

We hand-set princess and cushion stones in our Surat workshop, with protective V-prongs for princess corners. Every piece ships free worldwide, with 30-day easy returns. Browse princess and cushion lab diamonds.

Shop Princess and Cushion

Princess Vine Leaf RingShop Now

0.25ct F VVS2 PrincessShop Now

0.30ct D VVS1 PrincessShop Now

0.30ct Vivid Blue PrincessShop Now

0.22ct Vivid Pink CushionShop Now

0.26ct Vivid Blue CushionShop Now

Swipe to see more → | View princess lab diamonds

Frequently Asked Questions

Is princess or cushion more popular?

Cushion is currently more popular; princess remains a modern classic.

Which is cheaper?

Princess cuts are usually a bit less per carat.

Which is more durable?

Cushion, since it has no sharp corners.

Which sparkles more?

Both sparkle strongly; princess is crisp, cushion is bold and fiery.

Do princess cuts need V-prongs?

Yes, to protect the corners.

The Bottom Line

Princess for crisp modern style and value, cushion for romantic softness and fire. Choose the personality that feels like you.

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Author Bio

Aumsri Pradhan

Founder, Ivevar Luxury

Aumsri Pradhan is the founder of Ivevar Luxury, a Surat-based fine jewelry brand that designs and handcrafts lab grown diamond and moissanite jewelry in its own workshop. She leads the brand's design and customer experience, from engagement rings and bridal sets to custom pieces made to each client's story. Through the Ivevar blog, she shares practical guidance on lab grown diamonds, moissanite, diamond grading and ring design to help buyers choose with confidence.

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