Princess Lab Grown Diamonds

What is a princess lab grown diamond?

A princess lab grown diamond is a square-cut stone, grown in a laboratory environment using either High Pressure High Temperature (HPHT) or Chemical Vapour Deposition (CVD) processes, and then faceted into the inverted-pyramid profile that defines the princess shape. The result is chemically and optically identical to a mined princess diamond.

The princess cut was developed in the early 1980s and became one of the most widely selected diamond shapes for its combination of geometric precision and strong light return. Its 57 to 76 facets — arranged in a chevron pattern across the pavilion — produce a distinctive cross-pattern of light when viewed from above, quite different from the concentric rings of a round brilliant. Laboratory growth allows cutters to produce princess diamonds at larger carat weights and with consistent clarity grades, since inclusions and growth irregularities can be better managed in a controlled environment. The square outline suits a range of finger profiles and sits with quiet authority in both solitaire and multi-stone settings.

How do princess lab grown diamonds compare to mined princess diamonds?

Princess lab grown diamonds are graded on the same 4C framework — cut, colour, clarity, and carat weight — by the same independent laboratories that certify mined stones. GIA, HRD, and IGI each issue grading reports for lab grown princess diamonds using identical scales to those applied to natural diamonds.

The principal practical differences are origin and price per carat. Laboratory-grown princess diamonds are typically available at a lower cost per carat than equivalent mined stones, which means a larger or higher-graded princess diamond becomes accessible within a given budget. For buyers to whom long-term resale value is a priority, natural princess diamonds retain a more established secondary-market trajectory; for buyers prioritising size, specification, or ethical traceability of the production process, a lab grown princess diamond is a well-reasoned alternative. President Jewellers takes a neutral position — both certified to the same standard, both available in the full range of sizes and grades — and the decision rests with the buyer.

What should I consider when choosing a princess lab grown diamond?

The most important specification for a princess lab grown diamond, beyond the standard 4Cs, is the length-to-width ratio. A true square princess measures between 1.00 and 1.05; ratios above 1.10 begin to read as rectangular, which some buyers prefer for a more elongated look on the finger. This distinction does not change the cut quality but does significantly alter the visual impression of the stone.

Colour grade also reads differently in a princess cut than in a round brilliant. The chevron facet pattern concentrates colour in the corners of the stone, so a princess diamond can show warmth at a higher colour grade than a comparable round. Many buyers set princess lab grown diamonds in a metal that complements rather than contrasts the colour — white metals pair well with D-to-H grades, while warmer gold tones can flatter an I-to-J stone that might otherwise draw attention to its body colour. Corner protection is a practical consideration too: the four sharp corners of a princess diamond are its most vulnerable points, and a setting with prongs or a bezel at each corner extends the life of the stone.

What does a princess lab grown diamond cost in the UK?

Princess lab grown diamonds are priced by carat weight, cut grade, colour, and clarity — and laboratory-grown stones are generally available at a meaningful reduction in cost per carat compared to equivalent mined princess diamonds. This pricing gap makes it possible to select a larger or better-specified stone within a given budget.

Context for ring budgets: Bridebook's 2026 UK average engagement ring spend of £2,247 represents the midpoint across all styles and shapes. A princess lab grown diamond set into one of our rings can be configured well within or above that figure depending on the carat weight and grade chosen. Loose princess lab grown diamonds are sold separately and priced individually according to their certified specifications — the stone's grading report is the clearest guide to understanding where its price sits relative to comparable stones in the market. Every diamond in this collection carries a GIA, HRD, or IGI certificate, so comparisons are straightforward.

How to buy and set a princess lab grown diamond

Princess lab grown diamonds are available to buy loose with complimentary insured UK delivery, or set directly into a ring crafted in our Hatton Garden workshop. Loose stones come with a GIA, HRD, or IGI grading report and carry a 30-day return window — no questions asked, no exclusions.

When a princess lab grown diamond is selected for setting, the ring process begins: consultation, CAD design, and a silver or wax sample for a try-on appointment at our Hatton Garden showroom before casting. The finished ring is hallmarked at the London Assay Office and delivered by insured UK courier within 7 to 14 working days from order confirmation, depending on the complexity of the setting. Because the sharp corners of a princess cut require precise prong or bezel placement, the CAD stage is particularly useful for confirming the fit of the chosen setting before the ring is cast.