What Makes Princess Cut Lab Grown Diamonds Different
The princess cut was developed in the 1960s as a square brilliant — a shape that could retain more of the rough diamond crystal during cutting while still delivering exceptional sparkle. Today it is the defining shape of modern diamond jewellery.
Its inverted pyramid structure creates a unique optical effect. Light enters through the flat table, bounces off the angled pavilion facets, and exits in concentrated bursts of white light and dispersion. The result is a stone that sparkles differently from a round brilliant — sharper, more directional, and visually striking from every angle.
Lab grown origin adds another dimension. These diamonds are grown in controlled laboratory environments over weeks, not millions of years underground. The molecular structure is identical to a mined diamond — pure carbon atoms arranged in a cubic crystal lattice. Only the origin is different.
Understanding G Color in Lab Grown Diamonds
Diamond color is graded on a scale from D (completely colorless) to Z (visibly tinted). G color falls at the top of the near-colorless range, one step below the truly colorless D–F grades.
In practical terms, a G color princess cut diamond faces up white and bright in virtually any setting. The faint warmth present in the rough is largely masked by the stone's cut geometry and, when set in white gold or platinum, becomes entirely imperceptible to the naked eye.
For buyers who want excellent visual quality without paying the premium commanded by the rarest colorless grades, G color represents one of the most intelligent choices in diamond selection. In a lab grown stone — where premium grades are far more accessible than in mined equivalents — G color delivers outstanding value at every carat weight.
Princess Cut vs Other Diamond Shapes
Every diamond shape tells a different story. The princess cut speaks to precision and modernity.
Compared to a round brilliant, a princess cut retains significantly more of the rough crystal — which historically made it more affordable per carat while still delivering comparable brilliance. In lab grown diamonds, this manufacturing efficiency translates directly to the buyer.
Compared to a cushion cut, the princess offers sharper lines and a more contemporary feel. Where a cushion cut delivers soft, romantic sparkle with rounded corners, the princess cut produces a cleaner, more architectural look. Both are exceptional — the choice comes down entirely to personal aesthetic.
Emerald and asscher cuts prioritise clarity and reflection over raw sparkle. Oval and pear shapes maximise the appearance of size. The princess cut occupies a unique position: maximum brilliance in a square format, with an unmistakably modern silhouette.
Setting Styles That Complement a Princess Cut Diamond
The sharp corners of a princess cut require settings that offer both security and style. Here are the most popular choices.
Four-Prong Solitaire
The four-prong solitaire is the most traditional and widely chosen setting for princess cut diamonds. Each prong sits at a corner of the square, protecting the stone's most vulnerable points while allowing maximum light to enter from the sides. It is refined, secure, and lets the diamond speak entirely for itself.
Cathedral Setting
A cathedral setting raises the centre stone on arched metal supports, creating an elevated profile that catches light from multiple angles. It adds a sense of grandeur to the princess cut's already commanding presence and pairs particularly well with plain metal bands for a timeless look.
Bezel Setting
For those with active lifestyles, a bezel setting encircles the entire girdle of the diamond in a metal frame. This eliminates corner vulnerability entirely while creating a clean, contemporary aesthetic. A bezel-set princess cut lab grown diamond is one of the most practical and stylish choices for everyday wear.
Channel-Set Band
A princess cut centre stone paired with a channel-set diamond band creates a seamless river of sparkle from finger to stone. The geometric alignment of square stones in the band echoes the shape of the centre diamond, producing a cohesive, architectural look that is distinctly modern.
How to Choose the Right Princess Cut Lab Grown Diamond
Selecting a princess cut diamond involves a few considerations that differ slightly from other shapes.
Cut quality matters most. Unlike round brilliants, princess cuts do not have an official GIA cut grade — so it is important to look for well-documented proportions. A table percentage between 62–75% and a depth between 64–75% will typically produce excellent light performance. At Grown Leo, our diamonds are pre-selected for their optical quality, so you are always working with stones that meet these benchmarks.
Clarity is more visible in a princess cut. The step-like facet structure near the corners can make inclusions slightly more apparent than in a round brilliant, which conceals them better. We recommend VS2 or higher for a visibly clean stone, though SI1 can work beautifully depending on the placement and nature of any inclusions.
G color is the sweet spot. As discussed above, G color delivers a white, bright face-up appearance in virtually any setting. If you plan to set in yellow gold, an H or I color can be equally stunning — the warmth of the metal harmonises naturally with slightly lower color grades.
Why Lab Grown Is the Intelligent Choice
Lab grown diamonds are not simulated diamonds, not cubic zirconia, and not moissanite. They are real diamonds, grown using the same carbon chemistry that produces mined stones — just without the mining.
The advantages are significant. Lab grown diamonds are created with a far smaller carbon footprint than their mined counterparts. They are traceable, conflict-free, and produced under verifiable conditions. And because the supply chain is shorter and more efficient, they are available at 50–80% less than comparable mined diamonds.
At Grown Leo, every lab grown diamond comes with a certification from a recognised grading laboratory, confirming its color, clarity, cut, and carat weight. You are not taking anyone's word for quality — you are buying a documented, graded stone.
Why Choose Grown Leo
We started Grown Leo with one conviction: that buying a diamond should feel as good as wearing one.
Every stone in our collection is independently certified, carefully curated, and offered with the transparency we believe every customer deserves. Our princess cut lab grown diamonds are available in a range of carat weights and clarity grades, with settings designed and finished by experienced jewellers.
- Independently certified — every diamond is graded and documented by a recognised laboratory.
- Ethically sourced — lab grown origin means zero mining, zero conflict, zero compromise.
- Lifetime service — free prong checks, cleaning, and resizing for the life of your ring.
- Expert guidance — our team is available to help you select the right stone and setting for your budget and lifestyle.
- Straightforward pricing — what you see is what you pay.
Caring for Your Princess Cut Diamond Ring
A diamond's hardness is unmatched — rating 10 on the Mohs scale, nothing will scratch it. But the setting that holds it still needs attention, and the sharp corners of a princess cut benefit from occasional inspection.
- Inspect the corner prongs every six months. These take the most pressure and can loosen with daily wear. A quick professional check is all it takes.
- Clean your ring at home by soaking it in warm water with a drop of dish soap for 20 minutes, then gently brushing with a soft toothbrush. Rinse under running water and dry with a lint-free cloth.
- Avoid wearing your ring during activities involving sudden impact, heavy lifting, or direct contact with hard surfaces. Diamonds do not scratch — but they can chip under the right conditions.
- Store your ring in a separate compartment or soft pouch. A loose diamond ring can scratch softer gemstones and metals nearby.
With minimal care, a princess cut lab grown diamond from Grown Leo will look exactly as it does today — decades from now.
