The best princess cut engagement rings protect the four corners of the square stone, because that is where GIA says a princess cut chips. Below are five finished princess rings we priced on 2 October 2026, from 1,195 dollars for a 1 carat lab diamond with scattered accents to 1,745 dollars for a ready-to-ship solitaire, with what each listing says, and does not say, about the prongs on those corners. All five come from Rare Carat, so read this as five styles you can buy today, not a ranking of every jeweler.
How we are paid. RingReel earns a commission from Rare Carat through the Awin network when you buy through a Rare Carat link on this page, at no cost to you. The picks come from the listings and terms below, not from who pays. Nothing here was bought or handled: it is researched, not tested.
What is on this page12 sections
Our Top Picks
- Our top pick
Best overall
Rare Carat Windy Solitaire Engagement Ring With 1.04 Carat Princess Lab Diamond
A buyer who wants a plain princess solitaire, finished and set, on a thin band that leaves the square stone to do the talking.
- 14K white gold; 1.04 ct princess lab-grown diamond
- $1,280
Lowest price of the picks
Rare Carat Hayley Scattered Lab Diamond Engagement Ring With 1.04 Carat Princess Lab Diamond
A buyer who wants a 1 carat princess with some sparkle on the band for the lowest price among these five.
- 14K white gold; 1.04 ct princess lab-grown diamond with marquise and round lab accents
- $1,195
Best ready to ship
Rare Carat Avalon Classic Solitaire 1.00 ct. Princess-Cut Lab Engagement Ring
A buyer with a date to meet who wants a princess solitaire that ships within days, with whiter grades than the made-to-order picks.
- 14K white gold; 1.00 ct princess lab-grown diamond, IGI graded
- $1,745
Best hidden halo
Rare Carat Marie Classic Hidden Halo Lab Pavé Engagement Ring With 1.04 Carat Princess Lab Diamond
A buyer who wants a clean square from above and extra sparkle from the side, for only 10 dollars more than the plain solitaire.
- 14K white gold; 1.04 ct princess lab-grown diamond with pavé lab diamonds
- $1,290
Best three-stone
Rare Carat Marni Petite Three-Stone Engagement Ring With 1.04 Carat Princess Lab Diamond
A buyer who wants the princess flanked by two small stones, a layout GIA says works no matter the size of the hand.
- 14K white gold; 1.04 ct princess lab-grown diamond with two round side diamonds
- $1,510
What is on this page12 sections
Key Takeaways
- GIA says the corners of a princess cut are more vulnerable to chipping because they lie close to a cleavage plane, and recommends V-shaped prongs, split prongs or a bezel to protect them.
- Of the 17 princess ring listings we read at Rare Carat, only the two ready-to-ship Avalon rings named the prongs on the center stone (“claw prongs”). None mentioned V-prongs.
- In the same Windy setting, the 1.04 carat lab princess Rare Carat paired by default cost 100 dollars more than the 1 carat lab round. With natural D VS1 stones the princess cost 915 dollars less.
- The cheapest complete princess ring we found was 1,105 dollars, in a 1.5mm solitaire; none of the finished rings we opened came in under 1,000 dollars.
- A 1.04 carat lab princess measured 5.56 by 5.46mm on its listing, while the 1 carat lab round measured 6.46 by 6.41mm: the princess carries more of its weight in depth.
Princess Cut Engagement Rings Compared
The price column is what each listing showed on 2 October 2026 in 14K white gold, as a complete ring with the center stone set. Four are built to order around a 1.04 carat lab diamond graded H color and VS1 clarity; the Avalon is a preset ring with an F color, VS+ stone.
| Ring | Price range | Style | Stones | What holds the corners, per the listing | Returns and resizing, per Rare Carat |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| $1,280 | Simple solitaire: four prongs on a plain 1.40mm band | One princess lab-grown diamond, 1.04 carat, H color, VS1 clarity, measuring 5.56 x 5.46 mm; no side stones | Prong style not named on the listing; the photo shows four prongs, one at each corner | 30 days from shipment for a full refund; one free resize in the first year, after which it cannot be returned | |
Rare Carat Hayley Scattered Lab Diamond Engagement Ring With 1.04 Carat Princess Lab DiamondLowest price of the picks | $1,195 | Scattered accents: marquise and round lab diamonds along the band | One princess lab-grown diamond, 1.04 carat, H color, VS1 clarity, plus marquise and round lab diamonds scattered on the band; their total weight is not stated in the price shown | Prong style not named on the listing; the photo shows four claw-shaped prongs at the corners | 30 days from shipment for a full refund; one free resize in the first year, after which it cannot be returned |
| $1,745 | Ready-to-ship solitaire with claw prongs and a comfort-fit band | One princess lab-grown diamond, 1 carat, F color, VS+ clarity, Rare Carat Ideal cut, IGI report | "Claw prongs", per the listing | 30 days from shipment for a full refund; one free resize in the first year, after which it cannot be returned | |
| $1,290 | Hidden halo: a ring of small diamonds under the stone, pavé on the band | One princess lab-grown diamond, 1.04 carat, H color, VS1 clarity, plus pavé and hidden halo lab diamonds of 0.25 carat in total as priced | Prong style not named on the listing; the photo shows four rounded prongs, one at each corner | 30 days from shipment for a full refund; one free resize in the first year, after which it cannot be returned | |
| $1,510 | Three-stone: a princess center between two small round diamonds | One princess lab-grown diamond, 1.04 carat, H color, VS1 clarity, plus two round side diamonds of 0.12 carat in total as priced | Side stones in six-prong settings, per the listing; the center's prong style is not named | 30 days from shipment for a full refund; one free resize in the first year, after which it cannot be returned |
Price ranges from the makers' sites, checked 2 October 2026. Prices change; the maker's site has the current one.
The Best Princess Cut Engagement Rings, Reviewed
Best overall
Rare Carat Windy Solitaire Engagement Ring With 1.04 Carat Princess Lab Diamond
by Rare Carat
Best for: A buyer who wants a plain princess solitaire, finished and set, on a thin band that leaves the square stone to do the talking.
Rare Carat describes a "softly rounded band" that "gently tapers toward the center stone", and the same setting with a 1 carat round lab diamond was 100 dollars less on the same day.
What we like
- Priced as a finished ring with the center diamond's grades and measurements on the page
- The thinnest band of the five picks, at 1.40mm
- A matching Shared Prong Lab Eternity Band is offered beside it at $625
Keep in mind
- The listing does not say what kind of prongs hold the corners, the detail GIA singles out for this cut
- The suggested band is an eternity band, which Rare Carat's resizing policy says cannot be resized after 30 days
- Made to order: the page quoted shipping by 13 October for an order placed on 2 October
- Price range
- $1,280 complete: $785 for the setting and $495 for the 1.04 ct lab diamond, H color, VS1, 14K white gold (checked 2026-10-02)
- Material
- 14K white gold; 1.04 ct princess lab-grown diamond
- Widths
- 1.40mm
- Sizes
- 3.0 to 10.0
- Guarantee
- Returns within 30 days of shipment; one free resize in year one, per Rare Carat
- Made in
- Handcrafted in the USA, per Rare Carat
Lowest price of the picks
Rare Carat Hayley Scattered Lab Diamond Engagement Ring With 1.04 Carat Princess Lab Diamond
by Rare Carat
Best for: A buyer who wants a 1 carat princess with some sparkle on the band for the lowest price among these five.
Rare Carat says the accents "scatter along the band for irregular, organic sparkle" and that a "sculpted basket raises the center stone".
What we like
- The lowest price of the five picks as a finished ring
- Accent stones on the band at a setting price of $700, lower than the plain Windy solitaire
- A matching Hayley Scattered Lab Diamond Band is offered at $760
Keep in mind
- The listing does not name the prong style or give the accent diamonds' total weight beside the price
- Scattered stones on the shoulders leave an irregular edge for a straight wedding band
- The matching band costs more than the setting itself
- Price range
- $1,195 complete: $700 for the setting and $495 for the 1.04 ct lab diamond, H color, VS1, 14K white gold (checked 2026-10-02)
- Material
- 14K white gold; 1.04 ct princess lab-grown diamond with marquise and round lab accents
- Widths
- 1.80mm
- Sizes
- 3.0 to 10.0
- Guarantee
- Returns within 30 days of shipment; one free resize in year one, per Rare Carat
- Made in
- Handcrafted in the USA, per Rare Carat
Best ready to ship
Rare Carat Avalon Classic Solitaire 1.00 ct. Princess-Cut Lab Engagement Ring
by Rare Carat
Best for: A buyer with a date to meet who wants a princess solitaire that ships within days, with whiter grades than the made-to-order picks.
The only pick whose listing names the prongs: "Claw prongs secure the 1.00 carat Rare Carat Ideal princess-cut lab diamond".
What we like
- The only listing of the five that says what holds the corners: claw prongs
- Quoted to ship by 7 October for an order on 2 October, the fastest of the five
- F color and VS+ clarity, two color grades above the H stones in the other picks
Keep in mind
- The most expensive of the five, and the grades explain part of the gap
- Sizes 4 to 8.5 only, narrower than the 3 to 10 of the made-to-order settings
- No matching band was shown on the page
- Price range
- $1,745 complete, 1 ct center, F color, VS+ clarity, 14K white gold (checked 2026-10-02)
- Material
- 14K white gold; 1.00 ct princess lab-grown diamond, IGI graded
- Widths
- 2mm
- Sizes
- 4.0 to 8.5
- Guarantee
- Returns within 30 days of shipment; one free resize in year one, per Rare Carat
Best hidden halo
Rare Carat Marie Classic Hidden Halo Lab Pavé Engagement Ring With 1.04 Carat Princess Lab Diamond
by Rare Carat
Best for: A buyer who wants a clean square from above and extra sparkle from the side, for only 10 dollars more than the plain solitaire.
Rare Carat says "a delicate hidden halo adds subtle brilliance beneath the center stone", and the accent weight can be raised to 0.40 or 0.50 carat on the page.
What we like
- Hidden halo and pavé band for $10 more than the Windy solitaire on the same day
- The accent weight is stated and adjustable: 0.25, 0.40 or 0.50 carat
- A matching Shared Prong Lab Eternity Band (.33ct. tw.) is offered at $740
Keep in mind
- Pavé bands are harder to resize, as GIA notes, so the size should be settled before the free resize is used
- The listing does not name the prong style on the center stone
- The suggested band is an eternity band, which cannot be resized after 30 days under Rare Carat's policy
- Price range
- $1,290 complete: $795 for the setting with 0.25 ct of accents and $495 for the 1.04 ct lab diamond, H color, VS1, 14K white gold (checked 2026-10-02)
- Material
- 14K white gold; 1.04 ct princess lab-grown diamond with pavé lab diamonds
- Widths
- 1.50mm
- Sizes
- 3.0 to 10.0
- Guarantee
- Returns within 30 days of shipment; one free resize in year one, per Rare Carat
- Made in
- Handcrafted in the USA, per Rare Carat
Best three-stone
Rare Carat Marni Petite Three-Stone Engagement Ring With 1.04 Carat Princess Lab Diamond
by Rare Carat
Best for: A buyer who wants the princess flanked by two small stones, a layout GIA says works no matter the size of the hand.
Rare Carat describes "diamond side stones in six-prong settings, elegantly framing the center stone" and offers side stones up to 0.50 carat in total.
What we like
- Priced as a finished three-stone ring with the side stone weight stated
- Side stones can be raised from 0.12 to 0.25 or 0.50 carat on the page
- A matching Marni Wide Curved Band is offered at $585
Keep in mind
- The most expensive of the made-to-order picks
- The listing names the side stones' prongs but not the ones on the princess corners
- Round side stones beside a square center sit wider than the stone itself, which a straight band has to clear
- Price range
- $1,510 complete: $1,015 for the setting with 0.12 ct of side stones and $495 for the 1.04 ct lab diamond, H color, VS1, 14K white gold (checked 2026-10-02)
- Material
- 14K white gold; 1.04 ct princess lab-grown diamond with two round side diamonds
- Widths
- 1.40mm to 1.60mm
- Sizes
- 3.0 to 10.0
- Guarantee
- Returns within 30 days of shipment; one free resize in year one, per Rare Carat
How We Chose
- Princess centers only. Every pick has a square princess diamond in the center, the shape GIA also calls the square modified brilliant.
- One jeweler, and we say so. Every pick is from Rare Carat, the only jeweler on this page whose affiliate program has accepted RingReel so far. Other stores sell princess rings too; they are not ranked below Rare Carat, they are simply not listed yet.
- Every listing opened on 2 October 2026, with the price read as the page loaded in 14K white gold, including the diamond Rare Carat pairs with the setting. Change the stone and the total changes.
- Complete rings, labeled. All five prices include the center stone. Where a listing also sells the setting alone, the setting price is shown separately.
- Terms from Rare Carat’s own policy pages, read the same day: returns within 30 days of shipment and one free resize in the first year.
What Holds the Corners
A princess cut is a square brilliant with four sharp points, and those points are the part of the stone that needs a plan.
Why the Corners Chip
Diamond is hard but not tough. GIA explains that diamonds have cleavage, “the tendency of certain gems and minerals to break or split somewhat easily along crystallographic planes”, and that “the corners of a princess cut are more vulnerable to chipping since they lie close to a cleavage plane.” Its chipping research adds that corners on princess cuts “are at higher risk and need adequate girdle thickness.” That makes the girdle grade on the stone’s report worth a look: the 1.04 carat lab princess in four of the picks lists a medium to thick girdle, and the 1 carat natural princess we priced lists slightly thick to thick.
What GIA Recommends
GIA’s princess cut guide names three answers: “four V-shaped prongs, eight prongs with two at each corner (called split prongs), or a bezel setting”. Its 2025 shapes guide is a little looser, saying “round, claw or, ideally, V-shaped prongs should be used to protect the corners.” A V-prong folds over the point itself instead of touching it from one side. A bezel goes further and wraps the whole edge; our bezel setting guide covers what that costs in light. For every other mount, see our guide to engagement ring settings.
What the Listings Actually Say
This is the gap nobody in the search results covers. We read the description and feature list on 17 princess ring listings at Rare Carat:
| Listing | What the text says about the prongs |
|---|---|
| Avalon Classic Solitaire and Avalon Classic Pavé (both ready to ship) | “Claw prongs secure the 1.00 carat Rare Carat Ideal princess-cut lab diamond” |
| Tradition Cathedral Solitaire | “graceful prongs that lift the center”, style not named |
| Marni Petite Three-Stone | “six-prong settings” for the side stones only |
| Rosella Three Stone | “U-shaped prongs” for the side stones only |
| Windy, Hayley, Marie, Linda (1.5mm and 2mm), Ally, Bella, Bianca, Mila, Riley, Clarissa, Estelle | No prong style named |
The photos show four prongs, one at each corner, on every pick, but a rendering is not a specification. Each listing has a “Can I change the prongs?” button that opens a chat with a gemologist, and that is the place to ask for V-prongs before the ring is made. GIA’s bench guidance for this cut warns that “problems can occur during normal wear if the piece is not made according to quality benchmarks.”
Princess vs Round: What the Same Setting Costs
GIA’s 2025 shapes guide says princess cuts “are more affordable per carat than round brilliants since they preserve more of the original rough crystal.” We checked that against Rare Carat’s own pairings on 2 October 2026, holding the setting and metal fixed.
| Setting, 14K white gold | Princess, complete | Round, complete | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Windy, lab H VS1 | 1,280 dollars (1.04 ct) | 1,180 dollars (1.00 ct) | Princess 100 dollars more |
| Hayley, lab H VS1 | 1,195 dollars (1.04 ct) | 1,095 dollars (1.00 ct) | Princess 100 dollars more |
| Tradition Cathedral, lab H VS1 | 1,310 dollars (1.04 ct) | 1,210 dollars (1.00 ct) | Princess 100 dollars more |
| Windy, natural D VS1 | 3,375 dollars (1.00 ct) | 4,290 dollars (1.03 ct) | Princess 915 dollars less |
Lab-Grown: the Rule Did Not Hold
With lab diamonds the princess cost more, not less. The default princess was a slightly heavier stone, 1.04 carat against 1.00, but even per carat it came out higher, at about 476 dollars a carat against 395 for the round. GIA’s point is about how much rough a cutter keeps, and lab pricing follows its own supply. Our guide to lab-grown vs natural diamonds explains why the two markets price so differently.
Natural: the Rule Held
With natural stones the princess was clearly cheaper: 2,590 dollars for a 1 carat D VS1 princess against 3,505 dollars for a 1.03 carat D VS1 round, in the same setting. If you want a natural diamond, the princess is where the shape saves money.
Why a 1 Carat Princess Looks Smaller
The listing data shows the reason GIA gives for princess cuts looking “slightly smaller”: “deep pavilions that place much of their weight at the bottom of the stone.” The lab princess measured 5.56 by 5.46mm across with a depth of 71.4%, while the lab round measured 6.46 by 6.41mm with a depth of 61.8%. The princess also passes GIA’s squareness test, which says “the ratio cannot exceed 1.05:1”; its listing gives 1.02.
Cheap Princess Cut Engagement Rings
Searches for cheap, affordable and simple princess cut engagement rings all point at the same question: what is the least you can pay for a finished ring?
The Cheapest Complete Ring We Found
Of the 48 designs Rare Carat’s princess lab diamond page showed on 2 October, the one it priced lowest was the Linda Comfort-Fit (1.5mm). Opened with the same 1.04 carat H VS1 lab princess as our picks, it came to 1,105 dollars complete, with a 610 dollar setting. We left it out of the picks because the same setting already appears with a round stone on our affordable engagement rings page. Among the five picks, the Hayley is the lowest at 1,195 dollars.
Where the Money Goes
On every made-to-order pick the center stone was 495 dollars and the rest was setting. That means the setting is the lever: the four made-to-order settings here ran from 700 to 1,015 dollars, while the stone stayed fixed. Choosing a smaller diamond on the listing lowers the total further, but the pages open on the 1 carat stone, and that is what we priced.
Under 500 Dollars?
Not at Rare Carat as a finished princess ring with a 1 carat center on the day we looked. Our engagement rings under $500 page shows what that budget buys elsewhere, and our guide to diamond alternatives covers stones that cost less than a diamond.
Simple Princess Cut Engagement Rings
A simple princess ring is a solitaire on a plain band, and the Windy is the plainest of the picks: four prongs, no side stones, a 1.40mm band. For a little sparkle without changing the outline, the Marie’s hidden halo sits under the stone and shows from the side; on 2 October it cost 10 dollars more than the Windy. If you want the stone to sit close to the finger, our low-profile engagement rings page covers settings measured for height.
Before You Buy
Resizing and Returns
Rare Carat resizes a ring once for free in the first year, but its policy says that once something is sent in for resizing, “it can’t be returned”. The free resize and the 30-day return are one or the other, not both. Any setting or complete ring “can be returned within 30 days of the shipment date for a full refund”, unworn and with its diamond certificate, which carries a 250 dollar fee if lost. Measure first with our printable ring sizer.
The Wedding Band
A square stone with sharp corners next to a band is a chipping question as well as a fit question: GIA lists “jewelry items with diamonds worn next to each other” among common causes of chips. Two of the picks suggest an eternity band, and Rare Carat’s policy says eternity bands “can’t be resized after 30 days”. Our guide to wedding bands for princess cut engagement rings covers straight, contoured and channel-set bands beside a princess.
Which Princess Cut Engagement Ring Fits You?
| Your situation | Our pick | Why |
|---|---|---|
| You want the classic princess solitaire | Windy Solitaire | 1,280 dollars complete on a 1.40mm band |
| You want the lowest price among the picks | Hayley Scattered | 1,195 dollars with accents on the band |
| You need the ring within a week | Avalon Classic Solitaire | Preset, quoted to ship in five days, claw prongs named |
| You want sparkle that does not change the square outline | Marie Hidden Halo | Hidden halo and pavé for 10 dollars more than the Windy |
| You want three stones | Marni Petite Three-Stone | Round side stones in six-prong settings |
| You want a natural diamond | Any setting above, natural stone | The princess saved 915 dollars against a round of similar weight |
If budget comes first, our pages on affordable engagement rings and engagement rings under $1,000 price complete rings at those levels. If the shape itself is still open, our guide to engagement ring shapes compares every cut, and our Rare Carat review covers the jeweler behind these picks.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Princess Cut More Expensive?
It depends on whether the diamond is natural or lab-grown. For natural stones, GIA says princess cuts cost less per carat than rounds, and Rare Carat’s prices agreed by a wide margin. For lab-grown stones on the same day, the default princess cost slightly more than the default round in every setting we compared.
Is Princess Cut a Good Engagement Ring?
Yes, if the corners are protected. GIA’s 2017 guide to flattering styles says round brilliant and princess cut diamonds “flatter no matter what the finger shape is”. The trade-off is durability at the points, so the setting matters more than it does for a round, and a jeweler should confirm what holds each corner.
Is Princess Cut Outdated?
No gemological body rules on fashion, so there is no official answer. The Knot’s 2026 Real Weddings Study, as reported by Rapaport, found princess among the top shapes at 8% of rings, level with emerald, pear and marquise, behind round at 26% and oval at 25%. Fewer couples choose it than an oval, but it remains a mainstream choice.
What Does a Princess Cut Ring Symbolize?
We found no authority that assigns a meaning to the shape, and any symbolism you read about is a seller’s or a writer’s interpretation. What GIA does say is descriptive: princess cuts “are often seen as bold and modern”, while cushion and oval cuts read softer and more vintage. The meaning of an engagement ring comes from the promise, not the facet pattern.
What Is the Average Price of a Princess Cut Diamond?
We found no neutral body that publishes an average, partly because price swings with carat, grades and whether the stone is natural or lab-grown. As one dated reference point, Rare Carat priced a 1.04 carat H VS1 lab princess at 495 dollars and a 1 carat D VS1 natural princess at 2,590 dollars on 2 October 2026.
Sources
- Rare Carat, Windy Solitaire Engagement Ring With 1.04 Carat Princess Lab Diamond, 14K white gold, accessed 02/10/2026.
- Rare Carat, Hayley Scattered Lab Diamond Engagement Ring With 1.04 Carat Princess Lab Diamond, 14K white gold, accessed 02/10/2026.
- Rare Carat, Avalon Classic Solitaire 1.00 ct. Princess-Cut Lab Engagement Ring, 14K white gold, accessed 02/10/2026.
- Rare Carat, Marie Classic Hidden Halo Lab Pavé Engagement Ring With 1.04 Carat Princess Lab Diamond, 14K white gold, accessed 02/10/2026.
- Rare Carat, Marni Petite Three-Stone Engagement Ring With 1.04 Carat Princess Lab Diamond, 14K white gold, accessed 02/10/2026.
- Rare Carat, Windy Solitaire With 1 Carat Round Lab Diamond, With 1 Carat Princess Natural Diamond and With 1.03 Carat Round Natural Diamond, accessed 02/10/2026.
- Rare Carat, Linda Comfort-Fit Engagement Ring (1.5mm) With 1.04 Carat Princess Lab Diamond, accessed 02/10/2026.
- Rare Carat, Princess Cut Lab Grown Diamond Engagement Rings, category page, accessed 02/10/2026.
- Rare Carat, 30-Day Returns and Ring Resizing Policy, undated, accessed 02/10/2026.
- GIA 4Cs, Princess Cut Diamond Buying Guide, 2017, accessed 02/10/2026.
- GIA 4Cs, How to Protect Your Diamond Engagement Ring, 2017, accessed 02/10/2026.
- GIA 4Cs, Guide to Diamond Engagement Ring Shapes, 2025, accessed 02/10/2026.
- GIA 4Cs, Engagement Ring Styles to Flatter Hands and Fingers, 2017.
- GIA 4Cs, Complete Guide to Engagement Ring Settings, 2026.
- GIA, Al Gilbertson, How to Protect Your Diamond from Chipping, 2016.
- GIA, Setting a Princess-cut Center Stone in a Platinum Mounting with V-Prongs, Quality Assurance Benchmark, undated.
- Rapaport News, Leah Meirovich, Lab-Grown “Taking Over” Engagement-Ring Spending: The Knot, 2026, accessed 02/10/2026.