What is a cushion cut diamond?

Known for their romantic allure and vintage charm, cushion cut diamonds have been a popular choice in fine jewellery and engagement rings for over a century. Cushion cuts combine the classic appeal of old mine cuts with modern cutting techniques, creating something contemporary with a timeless appeal. In this guide, we get into cushion cut diamonds, exploring their characteristics, their advantages, disadvantages, and the ring settings that highlight their beauty the best.

What is a cushion cut diamond?

The cushion cut diamond is a square shape (but can also be rectangular), with rounded corners and larger facets. This distinctive cut enhances the stone’s brilliance and fire, creating beautiful sparkle. Cushion cut diamonds strike a perfect balance between the antique appeal of older diamond cuts and the sparkling brilliance of modern cuts.

Pros of cushion cut diamonds

Here are the pros of choosing a cushion cut diamond:

• Extra brilliance: The large facets of the cushion cut amplify its brilliance, resulting in amazing sparkle. If you want your ring to sparkle with every movement, a cushion cut diamond might be the right choice.
• Vintage appeal: The cushion cut’s origins can be traced back to the 19th century, making it an excellent choice for those drawn to vintage and antique styles.
• Versatile shape: Available in both square and rectangular shapes, the cushion cut offers versatility to suit a variety of personal preferences.
• Forgiving of inclusions: The facet pattern of the cushion cut helps to mask inclusions and blemishes, potentially allowing for a lower clarity grade (which means you can opt for a slightly cheaper diamond!)
• Romantic appearance: The rounded corners and soft edges of the cushion cut have a gentle, romantic appearance, making it perfect for engagement rings.

Cons of cushion cut diamonds

There aren’t many cons to the cushion cut diamond, but here are a few things to consider:

• Less sparkly than round: While the cushion cut is known for its brilliance, it typically exhibits slightly less sparkle than the round brilliant cut.
• Requires a higher colour grade: Although you can often get away with a lower clarity, you need to ensure you choose a stone with a good colour grade when it comes to cushion cut stones.

Best ring styles for cushion cut diamonds

Decided on a cushion cut, and now want to find out which styles of setting highlight it the most?

• Halo setting: A halo of smaller diamonds encircling the cushion cut stone enhances its size and adds an extra layer of sparkle.
• Solitaire setting: A simple solitaire setting allows the unique brilliance and shape of the cushion cut diamond to take centre stage.
• Pavé Setting: A band covered in small, pavé diamonds complements the vintage appeal of the cushion cut, adding a touch of glamour and sparkle.

Looking for your dream cushion cut engagement ring?

Take a look at our beautiful selection of cushion cut engagement rings here. Or if you’re not sure a cushion cut diamond is for you, take a look at our guides to other stone shapes – such as round, pear cut and oval diamonds.