Princess-Cut Lab-Grown Diamond 4×4 mm, Loose

A princess-cut lab-grown diamond, 4 x 4 mm, D to F color, VVS clarity, sold individually. A square brilliant cut with four sharp corners.

How princess differs from Asscher, though both are square

Same 4 x 4 mm, but the two shapes give completely different results. An Asscher is step cut, so it's subdued and deep. A princess is cut in brilliant style like a round, just in a square outline, so it flashes nearly as strongly as a round stone.

A princess also costs more than an Asscher of the same size, because brilliant faceting on a square is more complex and wastes more rough when polishing. That price gap reflects real work, not that one shape is more upscale.

Four sharp corners are a weak point to plan for

Princess corners are exactly ninety degrees and very thin. They're the most common chipping point of all square shapes, and once chipped they can't be re-polished without changing the stone's proportions.

So a princess must be set with prongs that fully cover all four corners, or a bezel around all four sides. Leaving the corners exposed means chipping sooner or later, especially on a ring worn every day. Accept slightly thicker prongs in exchange for safety.

What it's used for

The 4 x 4 size is large enough to be the main stone on a small ring or pendant, and is also often set in a row on men's wedding bands. Square stones placed side by side leave no gaps the way rounds do, so the row looks more continuous.

Don't mix princess and Asscher cuts in the same row even though both are square — one flashes and the other is subdued, so side by side they look like different stones.

Care

Take it off for manual work, cleaning and sports. This advice is stricter for princess cuts than other shapes because of the four sharp corners.

Wash with warm water and a soft brush, paying attention to the pointed underside where oil collects. Have the corner prongs checked every few months.