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Princess vs Oval Cut Lab-Grown Diamonds
Princess and Oval both start at $990 AUD for a 1ct VS1 lab-grown stone, so the decision is shape, not price. Princess offers sharp, contemporary square brilliance with strong fire; Oval offers soft, elongated brilliance that lengthens the finger. Choose Princess for a modern geometric look, Oval for a classic, larger-looking stone.
Princess vs Oval at a glance
| Princess | Oval | |
|---|---|---|
| Faceting | brilliant cut | brilliant cut |
| Character | sharp, contemporary sparkle | soft elongated brilliance |
| Length-to-width | 1.00 to 1.05 | 1.30 to 1.50 |
| Face-up size | compact, true to carat | elongated, reads larger |
| Durability | pointed corners need protective settings | no points, snag-free |
| What to screen for | corner chips and even colour | the bowtie and even shoulders |
| Starting price (1ct VS1) | $990 AUD | $990 AUD |
| Best for | a modern square look with strong sparkle | finger-lengthening size with classic brilliance |
The key difference
Both are brilliant-cut, so they share fire and scintillation, but their weight presents differently. The Oval's 1.30 to 1.50 length-to-width ratio spreads the same carat across a longer face, so it reads larger and lengthens the finger, while the Princess at 1.00 to 1.05 keeps weight in a compact square footprint. The trade-off is durability: the Princess has four exposed pointed corners that benefit from protective V-prongs, whereas the Oval has no points and sits snag-free. When viewing an Oval, screen for the bowtie shadow across the centre; with a Princess, check the corners for chips and watch for even colour at the points.
Which should you choose?
Choose the princess cut for a modern square look with strong sparkle. Choose the oval cut for finger-lengthening size with classic brilliance. Both are sourced to your brief, certified by IGI or GIA, and priced AU-inclusive.
Common questions
Is a Princess or Oval cut better value for a 1 carat lab-grown diamond?
Both begin at $990 AUD for a 1ct VS1 lab-grown stone, so neither is more affordable at this size. The difference is how the carat presents. The Oval's longer 1.30 to 1.50 length-to-width ratio spreads weight across a larger face-up area, so it tends to look bigger, while the Princess keeps a compact square footprint.
Which cut looks larger on the finger, Princess or Oval?
The Oval generally looks larger for the same carat. Its elongated 1.30 to 1.50 length-to-width ratio stretches the stone, lengthening the finger and giving more visible surface. The Princess sits near square at 1.00 to 1.05, concentrating its weight, so it appears more compact, though it delivers sharp, contemporary square brilliance with strong fire.
Do these cuts need different settings or extra care?
Yes. The Princess has four pointed corners that are vulnerable to chipping, so we recommend protective V-prong settings that shield each point; when selecting one, screen for corner chips and even colour. The Oval has no points, sits snag-free and is more forgiving day to day. With an Oval, screen instead for the bowtie shadow and even shoulders.