For some, the cushion cut diamond is a classic favorite. For others, it is a newer diamond cut that still takes the backseat to the round cut diamond. Considering it’s a classic twist to two timeless styles in diamond cuts, the cushion cut may be one of the more versatile choices, especially for engagement rings.

How to Choose a Cushion Cut Diamond

If you are thinking of going with this new classic, here are a few things you may want to know about this unique ring style. Remember, if you are looking for a great diamond cut at a price that fits your budget, you may now be looking for a new favorite. However, a cushion cut diamond is not confined to engagement rings, you can use them any way you like as long it defines your style.

5 Burning Questions Asked

Cushion cut diamonds have just started to become more popular as a design option. It’s a stunning look if done correctly, but it entails some work finding the right stone and getting the right jewelry to do the job.

What is a cushion cut diamond?

The cushion cut is the master of combining style sensibilities for diamonds. It’s considered a cross between a square and a round diamond cut. Think of the style as a Princess cut with rounded curved edges. This diamond gets its name from the throw pillow where it takes its shape from.

Are cushion cut diamonds more expensive?

If there was one big advantage that the cushion cut diamond offers, it would be a lower price tag. Bear in mind that there are important facets to remember, such as going with either a higher-grade diamond or opting for colored settings that will create a more interesting effect.

More colored diamond done in a cushion cut style can still retain their beauty and price tag in different ways. For instance, if your budget cannot cover colorless-grade diamonds, setting them in rose gold will pair a modern cut with a romantic metal finish. At the same time, a yellow tinge will not ruin the diamond’s appearance in this kind of setting.

Do cushion cut diamonds sparkle?

Since the cushion cut and the round cut share a number of properties and similarities, you can expect a brilliant engagement ring with this cut. The proper proportions for most diamonds follow a 70-70% guideline. That is, depth and table should be both under 70%. Make sure that your jeweler is also able to execute a 70% depth and symmetry that is at least good or very good.

In the case of cushion diamonds, jewelry experts assure that it still works at a flat 70% for both facets. Another thing to take note of is girdles. While other diamond cuts need to avoid very thick girdles, cushion cut diamonds do not need to follow this guideline.

How do I choose a cushion cut diamond?

Clarity and color retention may your biggest enemy when it comes to choosing a cushion cut diamond. Of all the cuts, its shape makes it susceptible to retaining color from the metal of its setting. To combat this, it’s best to choose an SI1 or SI2 for the best value and look for your diamond.

Take care when choosing the grade of the diamond as well. It’s good to know how your ring will look as a finished product. This means knowing the setting, metal, and the overall grade of the diamond.

Does the cushion cut go with almost any look?

The beauty of engagement rings is that most styles have a classic spin to them. Cushion cuts can be made with a lot of settings, and this is where you can match it with your personal style. Cushion cuts can stand alone with a solitaire setting for an elegant touch. It shines best with a pave halo finish.

What you can do is explore your style and work with your jeweler to get the best style possible. Remember, settings can make or break your engagement ring!

Pros And Cons Of Cushion Cuts

Are you deciding on whether to use this fairly new diamond cut as your engagement ring centerpiece of choice? Before you do, it’s best to weigh what you want and what this cut offers.

Like other diamond cuts, it can have advantages and disadvantages that can work to make it your dream or disaster ring. Here are some cushion cut diamonds pros & cons to remember when scouting for an engagement ring.

Durable, inexpensive, and unique

If you want the trifecta of durability, affordability, and uniqueness, then you may want to get the cushion cut diamond for your engagement ring. Similar to the round cut, it has rounded edges, which lessen the chances of it getting tangled or caught on clothing or other surfaces. Even with this advantage, the cushion cut diamond costs less than the round cuts.

Its rounded edges make the cushion cut a mix of a square cut and a round cut. This unique appearance gives it a different appeal. The design has started to gain traction and favor with modern couples.

Grading and imperfections get amplified

Still, what gives the round cut an edge over the cushion cut is the lack of color retention. Because the cushion cut retains more color, you may need to go for diamonds graded H or higher. This applies if you want to get the whitest possible diamond color. At the same time, this needs to be paired with higher clarity grades.

Some may think that this will cancel out any savings you incur. However, if you are looking for a more unique rather than a more premium engagement ring, then this cut may be the better option. For instance, if you are planning to highlight the style of the setting rather than the stone’s premium-grade appearance, then your ring will definitely shine with this cut.

Matching The Setting

To get the most out of this unique design, try to choose the most fitting setting for your cushion cut diamond. There are a few choice settings that work well with the cushion cut diamond, balancing its fair price with a nice style.

Pave halo setting

With cushion cut diamonds, jewelry experts recommend going with the pave halo. A great example of a pave setting for a cushion cut diamond ring would be the engagement ring on Priyanka Chopra’s finger. Like this ring, the center stone is a diamond surrounded by baguette stones for the halo.

Channel setting

Aside from the pave halo setting, the channel setting also works for cushion set diamonds. This has the advantage of changing the color of the stone, especially if the smaller stones have a whiter color. Since the channel setting lines up smaller stones on the band, this creates a way for the whiter colors to reflect on the center stone. Even without an H grade or higher center diamond, it is possible to make it appear whiter due to the reflection of the smaller stones. This makes it perfect for those who want a white gold or platinum metal without a very white or clear diamond.

Solitaire setting

Regardless of the diamond’s cut, the solitaire setting has always been the first choice for most brides-to-be. Its most obvious benefit is its simplicity. The solitaire setting encourages a single stone at the center. Because of this, it can also be an affordable option, because you no longer have to worry about including smaller stones on the setting.

Custom setting

In the end, the cushion cut is very versatile that it can adapt to different settings. To make the most out of its vintage look, you can try more intricate settings or even have a more customized setting.

Vintage settings can help complement the stone, either by making the smaller stones reflect a clearer color or make the entire setting the highlight. Given the traditional ode to round and Princess cut, the cushion setting is the perfect stone for this.

What to avoid: Tension settings

Tension settings may be considered as one of the more modern styles. But if you are working with a cushion cut diamond, this may not be the best setting to use. Cushion cut borders between the traditional and modern, giving it a delicate look that has a twist on the classic look. This may make it appear a little out of place, especially with the lack of corners in the cut.

Additionally, since the cushion cut absorbs and retains color, it can reflect a lot of the color from the metal.

The Issue of Brilliance

When it comes to the cushion cut diamond, there are three types of facets that can influence brilliance. Some people think that this only involves brilliance and how the stone sparkles. Yet part of the brilliance comes from the pavilion patterns of the cut. Depending on the owner’s preference and the jeweler’s ability, your stone can be just as brilliant by taking advantage of the diamond’s fire.

Chunky facet

Cushion cut diamonds that reflect the back facets and feature broad flashes of sparks are usually called chunky cushions. This facet is the oldest and most traditional style for cushion cut diamonds. It is also known as the old mine cushion, a cut that dates back to the 1700s, and reflects the unique style of having a high crown and deep pavilion for the stone.

Brilliant cut cushion

As the name suggests, this type has the most brilliance. This particular cut makes the diamond appear larger compared to other cuts, giving your stone the most bang for every carat. Additionally, they also reflect light the most.

Crushed ice facet

As technology for jewelry making continues to evolve, the crushed ice look has become the most recent modification for cushion cut diamonds. Compared to older cutting types, this creates star facets, creating thinner impressions that make it look as if one is staring at a ring filled with crushed ice. While this adds to the delicate look of the stone, it takes away some illusion of being large because of the density of its look, which makes the stone look smaller compared to its carat size.

Comparing Cuts: Does It Stand Well Against These Common Cuts?

Are you still on the fence on whether the cushion cut is the best one for your engagement ring? Here are a few things to remember when putting the cushion cut against other favorites.

Round cut

Perhaps the most classic question is, “Do I get the cushion or round cut diamond?” One can say that this may be a battle of traditional appeal versus a new and more modern look. Take note that while the round cut may be more expensive at the get-go, you also need to consider the specifics of the stone you will need to cut.

For individuals with an active lifestyle, both cuts will do well. If you do want a more unique look, then the cushion cut may win this round.

Princess cut

When it comes to the cushion brilliant cut, its rounded shape gives it an advantage over the square Princess cut. What’s more, compared to the round cut, which is considered as the most brilliant, the cushion cut has more fire. This is the effect produced when white light disperses when it hits the facets of the diamond.

While the brilliance of the Princess cut has always been the preferred choice for engagement rings, cushion has the advantage of having more fire. This fire can have a myriad of effects on your engagement ring, especially if you are not only concerned with a premium white ice look of the diamond and setting.

Fire can give your ring a more unique look, depending on the facets that your jeweler is able to include in the rock. For the most fire, rounded cushion cuts may your best bet for a radiant cut diamond.

Emerald cut

Beyond the diamond’s brilliance, the shape may be something you would like to consider. While squares also have a more modern twist, you may want to enhance your cushion cut diamond so it will look larger for its carat weight.

Rectangular diamonds look bigger than square ones. The same properties get passed on when you go with the cushion cut. Note that elongated cushion cut diamonds may be rarer or may need more customizing to achieve. It’s good to find a quality jeweler who can accommodate these adjustments.

If you want to learn more shopping tips when buying engagement rings, read “Ultimate Shopping Guide For Engagement Rings: What You and Your Partner Need to Know.”