The right cut makes a ring. Your choice between a radiant and a cushion cut affects more than sparkle—it shapes the look and feel of the whole ring. Keep reading to see their differences clearly and find the diamond that feels like “the one.”
What Is a Radiant Cut Diamond?
The radiant cut was dreamed up to give you the elongated shape of an emerald cut with the brilliant sparkle of a round diamond. It’s typically square or rectangular with cropped corners, much like an emerald cut, but its faceting sets it apart. The underside features a complex pattern designed to maximize light return, creating a bright, lively sparkle where light seems to dance across the stone.
Pros and Cons of Radiant Cut Diamonds
Pros
- With around 70 facets, the radiant cut is engineered for maximum sparkle and fire. It’s one of the brightest options if you love a square or rectangular shape but still want the brilliance you’d expect from a round diamond.
- The beveled corners make the diamond less prone to chipping compared to sharp-cornered cuts like the princess cut.
- The intricate faceting is excellent at disguising inclusions, which often lets you choose a lower clarity grade without sacrificing beauty: an easy way to get more value for your budget.
- And because radiant cuts come in both square and rectangular shapes, you can choose the one that fits your style. The elongated version even creates a flattering, lengthening effect on the finger.
Cons
- The depth and faceting of a radiant cut can sometimes emphasize the stone’s natural body color. If you prefer a bright, colorless look, choosing a higher color grade (G or better) is typically recommended.
- Radiant cuts tend to be cut deeper than other shapes, meaning more of the carat weight sits below the surface. Because of this, they can appear slightly smaller for their weight compared to shallower cuts like cushions or ovals.
What Is a Cushion Cut Diamond?
The cushion cut is a square or rectangular shape with soft, rounded corners that give it a pillow-like appearance. It was the most popular diamond shape for more than a century before the round brilliant took over.
Where a radiant cut has a finer, more splintered sparkle, a classic cushion cut delivers larger, broader flashes of light because of its bigger facets. Modern cutting techniques have also produced the modified cushion brilliant, which offers a sparkle pattern closer to a radiant. Explore more about cushion cut engagement rings in our FAQ Guide.
Pros and Cons of Cushion Cut Diamonds
Pros
- Cushion cuts come in several variations. You can choose a traditional cushion with larger facets for a bolder, flash-like brilliance, or a modified cushion with extra facets for a more glittering, intricate sparkle.
- While different from a radiant, a well-cut cushion diamond still offers impressive fire and brilliance. Its larger facets can produce stunning flashes of spectral color.
- Like the radiant cut, the rounded corners of a cushion cut make it durable and resistant to chipping.
Cons
- Cushion cuts are among the shapes that show color most noticeably. To get a diamond that appears white, you may need to choose a higher color grade, especially for stones over one carat.
- The “cushion” category includes many facet styles and proportions, so cut quality can vary considerably. Seeing the diamond in person is one of the best ways to assess its sparkle, since GIA doesn’t give fancy shapes an official cut grade.
- The larger facets of a standard cushion cut can make inclusions more visible compared to a radiant cut. For that reason, a higher clarity grade (VS2 or better) is recommended.
Key Differences Between Radiant and Cushion Cut Diamonds
Shape
Sparkle Pattern
If you want steady, high-intensity sparkle, radiant may be your match. If you prefer a more romantic glow, cushion wins.
Perceived Size
Radiants usually look a touch bigger because they spread more of their weight across the top of the stone. Cushions, by comparison, are a bit deeper, so more of their carat weight sits below the surface, which can make them look slightly smaller when viewed face-up.
Color and Clarity
How to Choose Between a Radiant and a Cushion Cut
Your decision will likely come down to personal style, budget and the kind of sparkle you love.
The right setting can really enhance the beauty of either cut.
Solitaire, pavé and halo ring settings bring out the best in radiant diamonds.
Cushion cuts love filigree or milgrain detailing and three-stone designs that bring out their antique charm. Both solitaire and halo settings are also extremely popular choices.
There’s no “better” between radiant and cushion cuts, just the right choice for your style, hand and vision for your engagement ring. Try our ring builder today to bring your dream ring to life.
