What does the cushion cut look like?

Cushion cut diamonds are pillow-like and can be square or rectangular. They usually have high crowns (the top of a diamond) that give them lots of colorful sparkle. Some Cushion cuts have a lot of contrast (they sparkle against dark backgrounds), while other Cushion cuts have more of a “crushed ice” sheen. Because of their long crowns, Cushions often appear slightly smaller than other diamonds of similar carat weight. However, this size difference doesn’t matter to those who love their individuality!

WHAT DOES MODIFIED CUSHION CUTTING MEAN?

A modified Cushion cut is a Cushion cut diamond that has more facet and less contrast than a traditional “chunky” cushion. These diamonds often exhibit what we call crushed ice brilliance. Confused? You’re not the only one! To understand the difference between “crushed ice brilliance” and traditional “intense” brilliance, think of ice cubes and crushed ice. When light hits an ice cube, it emits small, large flashes of light. This is because the ice cube has a large edge! On the other hand, when light hits crushed ice, it emits large, small flashes of light. This is because each piece of crushed ice has a small surface area.

 

Do cushion cut diamonds have a cut grade?

No, GIA does not offer cut grades for fancy cut diamonds like Cushion cuts. The jewelry industry has generally agreed on a set of general rules for Cushions. These rules will help you choose a stone that is not too deep and has a bit of sparkle. But if you really want the best Cushion, you need to go beyond these rules. In other words, consider these guidelines as a starting point.

Pro tip: Cushion cut diamonds with a depth of over 70% will look really small! Those with a depth of 62-68 will look bigger. This is called “spreading” the diamond.

	“IDEAL” CUT (The Most Shining)	PREMIUM CUT
TABLE %	58-66%	56-57% or 67-69%
DEPTH%	62-68%	60-61% or 69-70%

What is the best cut for a Cushion diamond?

The best Cushion cuts have even brightness/contrast, no windowing, no fisheyes or weird reflections. Additional things to really maximize your best Cushion are length-to-width ratio and cut modification.

5 big mistakes to avoid when looking at cushion cut diamonds:

Mistake #1: Buying a Cushion cut diamond without any contrast

You want some dark areas in your Cushion cut diamond so that your white and rainbow sparkle can really pop. “Contrast” is the term gemologists use to describe the dark background areas in your diamond. Contrast is important because the bright white and colorful sparkle need something to contrast with, otherwise it won’t be as noticeable. That’s why skilled diamond cutters make sure to include angles in their Cushion cuts to allow for both bright light return and contrast. In Round cut diamonds, these are called “arrows” (of Arrowed Hearts fame). Cushion cuts are not cut to standard patterns like Rounds, so the contrast in Cushion cuts is more varied. The big takeaway, though, is to look for good, even patches of dark contrast throughout your stone to even out the light return. This will ensure your stone has the maximum vibrant sparkle. Check out the difference below:

(left) Equal contrast/brightness vs No contrast (right)

Mistake #2: Looking out the window

Buying a stone with a big, juicy “window” in the center is a no-no! “Windowing” is more commonly associated with colored stones, and is also seen in diamonds, and is often seen in Cushions. Cushion cuts are unfortunately notorious for having a dead “window” area in the center. This “window” is often the result of angle inconsistencies where the cutter is trying to squeeze weight out of the stone to sell it for more. More carat weight may sound nice, but it doesn’t come at the expense of sparkle, right? So when looking for the best Cushion cut engagement ring, you’ll want to look at the center of your cushion. Make sure the center has equal contrast and brilliance like the rest of the diamond! That way, you can be sure that every millimeter will be shining back at you.

(left) Uniform brightness everywhere and Watery, light-leaking window (right)

Mistake #3: Not recognizing fish eyes/weird reflections

Fish eyes are gross, don’t let them ruin your Cushion Cut diamond! Because of the unique depth of diamonds, some stones are called “fish eyes”. A fish eye occurs when the outermost edge of a diamond (the “girdle”) is reflected below the larger top plate surface. It looks like a white halo or, less pleasantly, a “fish eye”. While small girdle reflections are usually covered up by the sparkle, large or distracting fish eyes can detract from the beauty of the diamond. Be sure not to get caught up in a fish eye diamond!

(left) True reflection and Fisheye (right)

Mistake #4 Not knowing the length-width ratio

Cushion CUTTING LENGTH-WIDTH RATIO

The length-to-width ratio of a cushion cut diamond is its length divided by its width, and it refers to how full or thin your cushion is! Don’t forget to figure out what “look” you’re going for. Cushion cuts with a ratio of 1.00-1.05 will appear square. Stones with a ratio between 1.06 and 1.11 will appear slightly rectangular. Diamonds with even larger length-to-width ratios will look more like rectangles. Finally, to really achieve a “long cushion” look, you’ll want to look for stones with a length-to-width ratio of 1.15 or higher.

Mistake #5 Not comparing other shapes

Before purchasing your cushion cut diamond, be sure to compare other shapes to find the perfect forever ring.