Cushion Cut Diamonds

While certain cuts are known for their precision, the cushion cut is one of those unique cuts that reflect personality. Its square-to-rectangle shape, rounded corners, and large facets, the cushion-cut diamond has mesmerized people for over two centuries. For buyers who want a diamond shape with elegance, romance, and more size for their budget, a high-quality cushion-cut diamond is the one for them.

Everything you need to know about a cushion-cut diamond

What is a cushion-cut diamond?

A cushion-cut diamond is a square or slightly rectangular-shaped stone that has rounded corners; the outline of the diamond has a resemblance to a cushion or a pillow, hence the name. What makes it distinctive is not just the outline, but what happens inside the stone. Cushion cuts have between 58 and 64 facets, depending on their subtype, and those facets are bigger compared to those you would find in other diamonds.

These larger facets create a softer glow, giving out the signature warmth as opposed to the bright, deep sparkle that round diamonds give out. The shape’s origin can be traced to the mine-cut diamonds that were popular during the 18th and 19th centuries. This heritage adds a romantic element to the diamond that transcends time. Cushion-cut lab diamonds retain this character while remaining ethical.

The length-to-width ratio

The length-to-width ratio is one of the most useful decisions you'll be making when deciding on a cushion cut. This single number will determine whether the shape of your stone will be square or elongated. And that changes everything about how the stone sits on your hand.

• 1.00 to 1.05

The Square Cushion: This will provide you with a stone that is nearly a perfect square face-up. It is bold and symmetrical. It looks good on wider or shorter fingers because of its compact design, which will create a balanced and proportionate look.

• 1.10 to 1.20

The Soft Rectangle: Slightly elongated, this ratio is ideal for buyers seeking the softness of the cushion, along with a little length. It gives a slight elongating effect on the finger and is a universal favorite.

• Above 1.20

The Elongated Cushion: This is a more dramatic shape. It visually extends slender fingers and imparts to the ring a distinctly modern flair while maintaining the characteristic softness of the cushion.

Does the cushion have a bow-tie effect?

The bow-tie effect is a dark shadow that appears across the middle of some fancy-shaped diamonds. It is a result of the way light travels through the pavilion. This can be quite noticeable in oval and pear shapes. It's typically not as noticeable in cushion lab diamonds; the bigger facets and more open structure diffuse light more uniformly and reduce the likelihood of a stark shadow.

However, not all cushion cuts are the same. Some stones will exhibit very little shadow, and some will exhibit a more defined effect. This can only be determined by viewing a 360-degree video of the stone before you buy it. At Friendly Diamonds, every cushion cut is available with a full video; so, what you see is what you get.

The 4 C’s for cushion-cut diamonds

The 4 C’s work a bit differently for a loose cushion diamond. Here is what actually matters for this shape.

• Cut

Cushion cuts are not graded using the same standardized cut scale as rounds. This is why it's important to pay closer attention to the stone's actual face-up appearance. Check for even light distribution, strong fire and dispersion, and no obvious dead zones. The chunky sparkle of a standard cushion and the crushed ice effect of a modified cushion brilliant are two different looks. They should be chosen based on the message the design is intended to convey.

• Color

One detail that needs more attention when buying cushion cuts is color. The larger facets retain more body color than rounds. This is why a stone that might appear colorless in a round brilliant might show a faint warmth in a cushion. If you really want a truly white look, stay between the D and H range. If you wish to lean into the warmth and not fight it, pair an I- or J-color stone with a yellow or rose gold setting.

• Clarity

The larger facets of the cushion cut are more forgiving of small inclusions than cuts that have tighter facet patterns. An SI1/SI2 graded stone is often eye-clean in a cushion. This means you may be able to allocate that money toward carat or color.

• Carat

Cushion cuts tend to have a smaller face-up size compared to rounds of the same carat weight because of how the weight is distributed. For those who prefer face-up size, consider going for a slightly higher carat weight or opt for an elongated ratio to increase the visual spread.

The comparison between cushion-cut and round

With 57 or 58 precisely angled facets, the round brilliant is the most popular diamond shape in the world, and it's easy to see why. No other shape can come close to the brilliant ability to return light that the round shape has. However, there is a cost for that level of accuracy. The cutting wastes more of the rough diamond in round diamonds, making them much more expensive per carat than any other shape.

A cushion cut, on the other hand, retains more of the rough and therefore is generally 20-30 percent less expensive. That difference is real money and sometimes enough to move up a full grade in color or carat while staying within the same price range. The downside is that a round will outperform a cushion in terms of sheer brilliance. However, the cushion wins on character. The fire and its dispersion can be truly spectacular, particularly in candlelight or golden hour. The cushion cut is the more romantic of the two stones if that's the look buyers are after.

The best settings for the cushion cut

The right setting doesn’t just hold the diamond; it completes it. Here is how you can match the stone to a setting that makes it shine.

- Halo setting : This is the natural partner for a cushion cut. The outline of the cushion is rounded, and a halo of small stones perfectly follows it. Therefore, enhancing the size of the center stone and creates an extra layer of brilliance around it. It's the setting that makes a cushion cut look its most dramatic.

- Solitaire Settings : If you prefer to have the stone speak completely for itself, then the four-pronged solitaire is the best option. It suits the standard cushion brilliantly. The chunky facet structure is substantial enough to be noticed without any additional props.

- Pavé or Split-Shank Settings : These are sparkly additions to the band that form a visual bridge between the center stone and the finger. This is a contemporary option that retains the romantic feel of the cushion and gives it an edge.

- Vintage-inspired Settings : The cushion's old mine-cut origin blends wonderfully with milgrain detailing, bezel accents, and antique-style metalwork. A vintage setting and a cushion cut go hand in hand. Especially if you are attracted to ornaments that seem like heirlooms.

Make it yours

A cushion lab-grown diamond can be your starting point. The stone you choose is an important decision. The rest of the details, like the setting, the metal, and the design, will help you create a piece that you will wear for a lifetime.

We at Friendly Diamonds give you customization tools to create a cushion-cut ring that is tailored to your vision.

Every stone we carry is IGI or GIA certified. Also, every order comes with a 360-degree video. This is how you know what you are getting before it even ships.