A cushion diamond ring features a diamond cut with a square or rectangular shape and rounded corners, resembling a pillow—hence the name “cushion.”[1] Cushion cut diamonds are among the oldest diamond shapes, originating from antique mine cuts and maintaining popularity in both vintage and modern engagement ring styles.[2]
Key Characteristics:
- Shape & Faceting: Cushion cuts can be square or rectangular with softly curved edges and typically feature a brilliant cut faceting pattern, giving them sparkle similar to round brilliant diamonds.[2]
- Brilliance & Fire: While they often show slightly less white light brilliance than round cuts, cushion diamonds are notable for their “fire,” the colored flashes of light that many find especially attractive.[1]
- Cut Variations: Cushion cuts vary more in silhouette and style than other cuts. There are “traditional chunky” cushions—based on antique mine cuts—with larger, open facets and “crushed ice” modern cushions with more facets creating a glittering effect.[4]
- Depth & Face-up Size: Cushion diamonds are generally cut deeper, meaning they may appear slightly smaller than other cuts of the same carat weight when viewed from above.[1]
- Versatility: Cushion cut diamonds lend themselves well to numerous ring settings, including halos, solitaires, vintage, and contemporary designs.[5]
Pros and Cons of Cushion Diamond Rings:
- Advantages: Timeless and classic appeal, enhanced fire, lower price compared to round cuts (often 25% less for similar specs), ability to complement both vintage and modern ring settings, and excellent ability to display colored diamonds for those seeking fancy colored stones.[1][7]
- Disadvantages: Smaller face-up size for the carat weight, variation in cut quality (selection is highly dependent on personal preference and visual inspection), and potential to retain more color, so higher color grades are usually recommended for those wanting a colorless appearance.[1][7]
What to Consider When Buying:
- Cut Quality: There is no GIA-assigned cut grade for cushions, so expert guidance and detailed visual inspection are vital. A well-proportioned stone will appear brighter and display its size better.[2][4]
- Preferred Measurements: Ideal table percentages range from 60-68% and depth from 61-68% for the most visually pleasing stones. Avoid stones with table or depth percentages above 70% as they may appear dull or small.[4][7]
- Clarity and Color: Due to the larger open table, inclusions are more visible, so SI1 clarity or better is suggested. For colorless or near-colorless preference, choose H color or better.[7]
- Shape Selection: Choose between square (length to width ratio of 1.00–1.05) or rectangular (1.10–1.20) cushions based on finger shape and aesthetic preference.[5]
Cushion-cut diamonds remain a popular, elegant, and versatile choice for engagement rings, blending classic charm with modern brilliance. Their variety of appearances—from antique chunky to modern crushed ice—means there is a cushion diamond for nearly every taste and budget.[1][2][4]
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