Like other fancy cut diamonds, the GIA does not grade princess cut diamonds for cut. For this reason, it is important to note that any website or store that advertises a GIA-certified princess cut diamond with a cut grade is offering their own grade based on the stone specifications (the accompanying GIA certificate will not have a cut grade). While there is no problem with this, we strongly recommend you verify the cut grade yourself.

The table below serves as a general guideline for evaluating the cut grade of a princess cut diamond.

The color grade of a princess cut diamond refers to how much color (or lack of a color) the diamond shows. Evaluating color in princess cut diamonds is important. Like most diamonds, smaller princess cut diamonds will hide color better while larger princess cut diamonds will show color easier. If you are wanting an ice white diamond, it is best to stick in the D-F color range however, if you just want a colorless appearance then you may be able to go to a G, H, or even I color depending on the size. The color chart below provides a guide for evaluating color in princess cut diamonds, based on the carat weight of the diamond you are buying, and your personal color preference.

The clarity grade of a princess cut diamond is based on how many and how severe the imperfections are on a diamond. It’s harder to see flaws on smaller princess cut diamonds than larger ones, so you can get away with purchasing a lower clarity rating on smaller diamonds while maintaining an eye-clean appearance. In addition, because princess cut diamonds are brilliant cut and have a lot of sparkle, they hide blemishes fairly well.

Evaluating clarity in princess cut diamonds is subjective because each consumer has their own standard for clarity. Some may be perfectly comfortable with inclusions as long as they cannot easily see it, but other may insist on a more technically flawless appearance. The clarity chart below provides general guidelines for picking a clarity rating for your princess cut diamond, based on your inclusion tolerance. Please note that the ratings in the Clean to the Naked Eye column assume that your jeweler will check to ensure it is actually eye-clean. For example, every time a customer purchases a princess cut engagement ring from us, we send a gemologist to check and make sure the diamond is “eye-clean” and inform the customer if it isn’t. If you want an eye clean stone, make sure you ask your jeweler to do the same.