My wife has worn a princess cut solitaire for 18 months now. Things I wish we'd known:
The corners problem:
Princess cuts have four sharp corners. These are the most vulnerable points. We've had one corner chip (minor, repaired for $180) after it caught on a kitchen cabinet door. The prongs protecting the corners need to be V-shaped, not standard round prongs — make sure your setting uses corner V-prongs specifically designed for princess cuts.
It snags everything:
The sharp corners catch on fabrics constantly. Knitwear, silk blouses, bedsheets. This was the biggest adjustment. She now removes it for bed (which diamond experts recommend anyway) but the first month was rough.
The flattering part:
Princess cuts look larger face-up than round brilliants of the same carat weight because of the square shape. Her 0.90ct princess looks comparable to a 1.00ct round on her finger. Real advantage.
The sparkle difference:
Princess cut sparkle is different from round — it's more blocky and geometric, less "crushed ice." Some people prefer it. It's not worse, just different. Make sure your partner has seen a princess cut in person and prefers it to rounds before committing.
Setting recommendation:
4-prong solitaire with V-prong corners in platinum or 14K white gold. Bezel settings protect corners but hide more of the stone. Cathedral settings look elegant but raise the stone higher (more snagging risk).
Happy to answer specific questions about everyday wear.
The corner snag issue is real. My sister's princess cut caught on a merino sweater and pulled threads everywhere. She loves the ring but wishes she'd known.