Ultimate Buying Guide of Cushion Cut Diamond

What is Cushion Cut Diamond?

Cushion cut diamonds do not have a specific grading system, but they can be described as combining the square cut diamond’s sleekness with a round diamond’s elegance. It looks like a cushion with its soft square shape and rounded corners.

The cushion cut has been around for over 200 years, making it one of the most popular cuts of diamonds. It was previously called a “mine cut” during the 19th century. There is a significant difference between earlier mine cut diamonds and modern diamonds. Mine cut diamonds have 58 facets, while the modern diamond has 64.

The 4C’s of Cushion Cut Diamonds

Cut

Diamonds with cushion cuts are square or squarish-rectangular in shape. It is known for its rounded corners and curved sides that are usually rounded. Most popular in square form with ratios between 1.00 and 1.05, traditional cushion cuts tend to achieve ratios of 1.10 and larger, taking the form of elongated rectangles with ratios between 1.20 and 1.30.

The cushion cut is known for its variety of cutting styles. Between 58 and 64 facets can be found on modern cushions. They fall into two main categories – standard and modified.

The standard cushion cut diamonds are similar to the old mine cuts. The classic shape and antique feel give it a romantic and antique feel. These diamonds have chunkier, broader facets and smaller tables, and their sides are sometimes more rounded. Less than 1% of cushion diamonds are cut in the standard cushion cut.

Diamonds with the modified cushion cut take on features similar to round brilliants. The modified cushion brilliant cut gets its name for this reason. An extra row of facets gives this cut a splintery appearance.

Color

Diamonds with a cushion cut will show more color than diamonds with any other shape. A cushion cut colored diamond maximizes the appearance of color because of this. We recommend G or better color grades when setting in platinum or white gold. Adding yellow or rose gold will add warmth, going down to I color diamonds or J color diamonds.

A cushion cut was designed before electricity, using candlelight, which may have resulted in more color retaining. In antique cushion cut stones, most colors are warm because candlelight masks color.

Clarity

The sparkle and scintillation of cushion cut diamond usually mask the inclusions of VS2 and SI1. The brilliant cutting style of modern cushion cut diamond gives off many facets of sparkle. The inclusions in almost every diamond are very beneficial for creating a clear diamond. It is crucial to inspect the diamond visually. Inclusions are more evident with larger stones, as always.

Carat

The cushion cut diamond is a trendy diamond cut available in various carat weights. The proportions and length-to-width ratio will also vary quite a bit. Diamonds with elongated cuts are produced much less frequently than those with square shapes. The elongated cushion cut is harder to find in high quality.

A cushion cut diamond with an elongated shape will have a larger carat size than a cushion cut diamond with a square shape. The stone has a bigger surface area because of its proportions. A cushion cut stone may appear quite different in size from another of similar or even the same carat weight.

Cushion cuts differ from other diamond cuts in that they are available in various variations. Cushion cut diamond can vary greatly in size, shape, and dimension depending on how the cutter chooses proportions for each stone. The best way to assess these diamonds is to see them in person.

Pricing of Cushion Cut Diamonds

Cushion cut diamond is typically 20-30% cheaper than round cut diamonds. A 1 carat cushion cut can cost between 3000 and 7000 dollars, depending on the quality selected among the 4Cs. The price of diamonds with improved gradings in color and clarity will increase exponentially with increasing carat weight.

Diamond pricing is tricky since the most expensive diamond doesn’t always mean the most beautiful. A lovely diamond doesn’t require a D color IF clarity stone; they are priced according to their scarcity. A diamond priced at 4000 dollars could be just as attractive as one priced at 6000 dollars.

Best Settings for Cushion Cut Diamonds

Solitaire Settings

A solitaire setting showcases the unique beauty of the cushion cut diamond. The solitaire setting is perfect if you prefer simple, timeless, and elegant jewelry. The single diamond in the center gets all the attention in this style, which makes it sparkle.

Pavé Settings

Pavé settings are another popular choice if you’re looking for a more intricate setting than a solitaire. A ring with these settings has many tiny diamonds adorn the band around the center diamond and add extra sparkle. When choosing a pave setting, many variations are available, ranging from classical styles to more whimsical designs, giving you greater freedom to express your creativity.