Soft Corners, Bold Character
The cushion cut — named for its resemblance to a pillow or cushion — has been enchanting diamond lovers for over 200 years. With its softly rounded corners, generous facets, and warm, romantic light play, the cushion cut occupies a unique space in the diamond world: it's vintage enough to feel timeless but modern enough to feel fresh. It's currently one of the most popular diamond shapes, particularly for engagement rings and statement pieces.
A Brief History
The cushion cut descends from the "old mine cut," the dominant diamond shape throughout the 18th and 19th centuries. Old mine cuts had a high crown, small table, and deep pavilion — characteristics optimized for the candlelight and gas lamp illumination of their era. Modern cushion cuts retain the shape's signature soft corners and romantic character while incorporating improved cutting techniques for better light performance.
Types of Cushion Cuts
Cushion Brilliant
Features a brilliant-cut facet pattern (similar to a round brilliant) adapted to a cushion outline. Cushion brilliants produce larger, more distinct light flashes — often called "chunky" sparkle. This is the more traditional cushion appearance, showing clear, broad facets that create dramatic light-dark contrast.
Cushion Modified Brilliant
Features additional facets below the girdle, creating a different light pattern. Modified brilliants often produce what's called "crushed ice" — a busy, sparkling pattern of many small reflections rather than distinct larger flashes. The appearance is more scintillating but less bold than a standard cushion brilliant.
Which to Choose?
- Chunky/brilliant: Prefer this if you want bold, dramatic flashes of light with clear facet patterns. More traditional, more similar to what antique cushion cuts looked like
- Crushed ice/modified: Prefer this if you want an all-over sparkling effect with less distinct pattern. More contemporary looking, somewhat similar to a round brilliant's sparkle
Choosing the Right Cushion Cut
Shape — Square vs Elongated
Cushions come in two proportional varieties:
- Square cushion (1.00-1.05 ratio): A classic, balanced shape. Looks like a rounded square from above. Works beautifully as a center stone in halo settings where the cushion outline is echoed by the surrounding diamonds
- Elongated cushion (1.10-1.30 ratio): A rectangular cushion that elongates the finger. More dramatic and distinctive than the square version. Popular for those who want the cushion's romantic character with the finger-elongating effect of an oval
4Cs Priority for Cushion Cuts
- Cut: Arguably more important for cushion cuts than any other fancy shape. A well-cut cushion radiates beauty; a poorly cut one looks dull and lifeless. Look for excellent symmetry, proper depth (58-68%), and a table between 58-68%
- Color: Cushion cuts tend to retain color more than rounds due to their deeper pavilion. Consider going one color grade higher than you would for a round: F-G for white metals, G-H for warm metals
- Clarity: VS2 is typically eye-clean in cushion cuts. The brilliant faceting helps mask inclusions, though less effectively than rounds due to the larger facets
- Carat: Cushion cuts have a deeper pavilion than rounds, meaning they carry more weight below the girdle. A 1-carat cushion may appear slightly smaller face-up than a 1-carat round
Settings for Cushion Cuts
- Halo: A cushion-shaped halo echoing the stone's outline is the most popular setting for cushion cuts. The rounded corners of both stone and halo create a soft, romantic frame
- Solitaire: A clean, minimal setting lets the cushion's distinctive character shine. Four prongs maintain the square look; sometimes split prongs at the corners protect the rounded edges
- Three-stone: Half-moon or trapezoid side stones complement the cushion's geometry beautifully
- Vintage settings: Milgrain edges, scrollwork, and ornate galleries echo the cushion cut's antique heritage
The Romantic Appeal
Recommended Pieces
- 14K White Gold Crafted with 18K Yellow Gold Back Plate 1/10Ct
- Eternal Blush Collection 14K White Gold 1.00Ct Cushion Pink
- 14K White Gold Crafted with 18K Yellow Gold Back Plate 2 5/8Ct
The cushion cut has an inherently romantic quality that other shapes can't quite replicate. The soft corners suggest gentleness, the broad facets create a warm, glowing light return rather than icy brilliance, and the shape's centuries-long heritage connects it to a deep tradition of love and commitment. For those who find round brilliants too common and emerald cuts too angular, the cushion offers the perfect middle ground: distinctive character with timeless appeal.