A Modern Princess: Updated Takes on a Popular Diamond Cut

By Brittany Siminitz | February 22, 2023

Through the years, the decades have been defined by a certain cut of diamond (unless, of course, that cut is round, the most enduring and transcendent of all).

In the ’70s, the marquise had its moment. Pair it with a tall yellow gold setting and you had one of the most popular styles of the decade.

In more recent decades, a smattering of high-profile celebrity engagements have inspired demand for cuts such as oval and emerald, and in various colors to boot.

But in between, it was the princess cut that was all the rage—in white metals—in the early to mid-2000’s. Sandwiched in a three-stone setting, set alone as a solitaire, or even surrounded by a round or square diamond halo, the princess-cut was highly in demand by brides-to-be searching for the perfect engagement ring.

The only problem with being the “It” anything? That status doesn’t often last forever. When too much of a great thing keeps coming at us, we start to look for something else.

Such is the cycle of trends—even in jewelry—which is why we can so easily associate certain styles (and cut of diamonds) with certain fashion eras.

Then again, however unpredictable, we know this about trends: They always come back.

Perhaps the princess cut has been absent from the scene for long enough, because it’s beginning to look brand-new all over again. This time, its square shape is being given the modern treatment—sleek metal settings (yellow gold, in many cases), organic style, streamlined shapes. The look is less high-maintenance that it was a decade or two ago, and more refined—all grown-up, and ready for the role of forever ring.

Here are some of the latest engagement rings that give the princess cut its much-needed glow-up.