Cushion cut engagement rings have a lot to love. To make sure you pick the one you’ll adore for a lifetime, we’ve compiled answers to the most frequently asked questions about cushion cut engagement rings.
What Is a Cushion Cut Diamond?
A cushion cut diamond has a square or rectangular shape with soft, rounded corners, much like a pillow, which is where it gets its name. Its faceting gives it beautiful sparkle with a charming, old-world glow. Today’s cushion cuts come in many variations, from modern brilliant styles to vintage-inspired patterns. Learn more about the cushion cut in our Diamond Shape Guide.
How Do Cushion Cut Gemstones Compare to Other Cuts in Terms of Brilliance?
Cushion cut stones deliver a gentler brilliance compared to shapes like rounds or princess cuts, but their warm glow and colorful flashes make them endlessly captivating.
What Is an Elongated Cushion?
An elongated cushion is a cushion cut stone with a length-to-width ratio above roughly 1.15, giving it a more rectangular profile. It maintains the classic rounded corners and pillowy shape but offers a longer, more elegant silhouette. This elongated outline can create a slimming effect on the finger and often provides a bit more visual presence than a traditional square cushion.
What’s the Difference Between Cushion Brilliant and Cushion Modified?
There are two main faceting types you’ll see in cushion diamonds: cushion brilliant and cushion modified.
- Cushion Brilliant: This cut features larger, more open facets that boost its fiery sparkle. It leans more traditional and is often compared to the look of antique cuts.
- Cushion Modified: This style introduces extra facets, creating that popular “crushed ice” effect.
What Are the Advantages of Cushion Cut Lab Grown Diamonds Over Natural Ones?
Lab grown cushion cut diamonds offer the same beauty and chemistry as natural diamonds, but with added benefits. You typically get a larger or higher-quality stone for the same budget, since lab grown pricing is more accessible. They’re also produced in controlled environments, which means you can expect excellent clarity and consistent sparkle.
Are Cushion Cut Lab Grown Diamonds as Durable as Natural Diamonds?
Yes. Lab grown diamonds are every bit as durable as natural diamonds. They share the exact same hardness (a 10 on the Mohs scale) and overall structure, so they resist scratching, chipping and everyday wear just as well. Whether lab grown or natural, a cushion cut diamond will stand up beautifully as an engagement ring you wear daily.
How Do I Choose the Best Cushion Cut Lab Grown Diamond for an Engagement Ring?
Focus on cut quality first; sparkle is where cushion cuts really shine. Look for excellent symmetry and polish and come in–store to see how the diamond performs in motion. Pay attention to the length-to-width ratio, square or elongated, depending on your preferred look. And because lab grown diamonds often allow for a larger size within budget, you can be more selective with clarity and color to get a stone that feels truly exceptional.
Are Cushion Cut Diamonds More Affordable than Other Shapes?
Cushion cut diamonds tend to be more affordable than round brilliant diamonds of the same carat weight and quality, mainly because they’re less wasteful to cut than rounds but more intricate than some other fancy shapes. Compared to shapes like princess or oval cuts, cushions are usually similarly priced or slightly lower.
What Is the Price Range for High-Quality 1.5 Carat Cushion Cut Diamonds?
For high-quality 1.5 ct cushion cut diamonds, lab grown options can be especially appealing. A 1.5 ct lab grown cushion cut with VS clarity and good color can cost less than $2,500, while prices for natural stones of the same size vary more widely depending on cut, color and clarity.
How Much Does a 3 Carat Cushion Cut Diamond Typically Cost?
A 3 ct cushion cut diamond can fall within a wide price spectrum, mainly depending on whether it’s lab grown or natural. For lab grown stones, you’ll often see them priced in the low- to mid-thousands range.
Do Cushion Cut Diamonds Look Bigger?
Cushion cut diamonds can look bigger or smaller than their actual carat weight, depending on how they’re cut. Diamonds with a wider spread, or larger face-up diameter, appear more substantial on the finger, while deeper cuts can make the diamond look smaller because more of the weight is hidden below the surface.
What Are the Best Settings for Cushion Cut Diamonds?
Cushion cuts are highly adaptable and shine in just about any setting you could choose:
- Solitaire for timeless simplicity.
- Halo for maximum sparkle.
- Vintage for added character.
- Three-stone for symmetry and symbolism.
How Do I Pick the Right Cushion Cut Diamond?
Here are a few expert tips:
- Start with cut quality. Cushion diamonds don’t have a standardized “cut grade” like rounds, so it’s important to evaluate how well the facets are arranged and how evenly the stone reflects light.
- Pay attention to symmetry and polish. Well-executed symmetry ensures the facets align properly, and excellent polish helps the diamond look crisp and bright.
- Check for bow-ties or dark areas. They’re more common in elongated cushions, and depending on how strong they are, they can diminish the sparkle.
- Always view the diamond in motion. Cushion cuts are dynamic stones; their sparkle should feel soft, bright and consistent as you move it.
