The BEST Cushion Cut Diamond: 5 Big Mistakes to Avoid

Looking for a cushion cut diamond? Want to make sure you get the most sparkle, beauty, and bang for your buck? Awesome, you’ve come to the right place. Because cushions are fancy shapes, GIA does not grade them for cut quality. So, there’s more than meets the eye in picking out the best one! Read on below to learn what mistakes NOT to make when purchasing a cushion!

What does cushion cut mean?

Cushion cut means a diamond with a soft outline in the shape of a pillow! Cushion cut diamonds are classics, as cushion shapes were some of the first diamonds ever faceted! In fact, “old mine” diamonds are actually old versions of the modern day cushion cut. You’ll see these old miners set in antique engagement rings from the 1800s!

What does a cushion cut look like?

Cushion cut diamonds look like pillows and can be square or rectangular. They often have high crowns (the top portion of a diamond) which gives them lots of colored sparkle. Some cushions have lots of contrast (dark backgrounds from which sparkle pops), while other cushions have a more “crushed ice” brilliance going on. Because of their tall crowns, cushions often face up looking a bit smaller than other diamonds of similar carat weight. But, this size difference just doesn’t matter to those who love their personality!

What does modified cushion cut mean?

A modified cushion cut is a cushion cut diamond with more facets and less contrast than a traditional “chunky” cushion. These diamonds often display what we call crushed ice brilliance. Confused? You’re not the only one! To understand the difference between “crushed ice sparkle” and traditional “chunky” sparkle, think about ice cubes and crushed ice. When light hits an ice cube, a small amount of big flashes of light come off of it. That’s because the side of the ice cube is big! On the other hand, when light hits crushed ice, there is a big amount of small flashes of light that come from it. And, that’s because the surface area of each piece of crushed ice is small. Check it out:

(Top) Chunky cushion vs Crushed ice cushion (Bottom)

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 mostly agrees on a set of general guidelines for cushions. These guidelines will help you choose a stone that isn’t too deep and has some sparkle. However, if you really want the best cushion, you’ll need to go further than these guidelines. In other words, think of 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 a diamond’s “spread”.

What is the best cut for a cushion diamond?

The best cushion cuts have even brilliance/contrast, no windowing, and no fisheyes or odd reflections. Additional things to really maximize the best cushion for you are length-to-width ratio and cut modification. Here are the 5 big mistakes to avoid when looking at a cushion cut diamond:

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 shows up. “Contrast” is the term gemologists use to describe dark background areas in your diamond. Contrast is important, because bright white and colorful sparkle needs something to contrast with, else it doesn’t show up as much. So, skillful diamond cutters make sure to include angles in their cushion cuts to allow for both bright light return and contrast. In round cut diamonds, this is called “arrows” (of Hearts with Arrows fame). Cushions are not cut to standard patters like Rounds, so Cushion contrast is more varied. However, the big take away is to look for a good, even smattering of dark flecks of contrast throughout your stone to even out the light return. This will ensure your stone has maximum lively sparkle. Check out the difference below:

Mistake #2: Looking out the window

Buying a stone with a big watery “window” in the center is a no no! While “windowing” is more frequently associated with colored stones, this occurs in diamonds too, and frequently with cushions. Cushions are notorious for having a dead “window” area in the center, unfortunately. This “window” is a result of angle inconsistencies, most often when a cutter has tried to reserve weight to sell the stone for more. Now, more carat weight may sound good, but not 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 that center shows even contrast and brilliance like the rest of the diamond! That way you can be sure that every millimeter will sparkle back at you. Check it out:

Mistake #3: Not recognizing fisheyes/odd reflections

Fisheyes are gross, don’t let them ruin your cushion cut diamond! Because of the unique depth proportions cushion diamonds have, some stones exhibit a phenomenon called a “fisheye“. A fisheye occurs when the outermost edge of a diamond (its “girdle”) is reflected under the large top table facet. It looks kind of a like a white halo, or, less prettily, a “fisheye”. While minor girdle reflections are often covered up by sparkle, large or distracting fisheyes negatively impact the beauty of a diamond. Make sure you don’t get stuck with a fisheye diamond!

Mistake #4 Not knowing about length-to-width ratio

Cushion cut length-t0-width ratio

Length-to-width ratio in a cushion cut diamond is its length divided by its width, and means how plump or skinny your cushion is! Don’t forget to figure out what “look” she’s going for. Cushions with ratios of 1.00-1.05 will look square. Stones with a ratio between 1.06 to 1.11 will look just slightly rectangular. Diamonds with even larger length to width ratios look like rectangles. Finally, to get a truly “elongated cushion” look, you’ll want to look for stones with a length-to-width ratio of 1.15 or higher. Read more about elongated cushion cuts here!

Mistake #5 Not comparing other shapes

Before you buy your cushion cut diamond, make sure you’ve compared other shapes for the perfect forever ring.

Is round or cushion cut better?

Round cut diamonds sparkle more than cushions, but cushion lovers would say they have more personality. Neither cut is better, they just have their own benefits! If max sparkle is your number one priority, then round is the way to go! Learn how to pick a round diamond with max sparkle here. However, if you want a vintage feel, something unique, a cushion cut engagement ring is a great choice! Cushions are brilliant cut, so they sparkle a ton, and have an antique pedigree for classic appeal.

Is cushion cut better than princess?

Princess cuts are the second most popular shape, but cushions tend to sparkle more. Some people love the hard lines and sharp edges of the princess cut. Others prefer the soft shape and vintage glamour of the cushion. Again, one is not necessarily better than another, they’re just different! In order to pick which is best for you, consider your fiancee’s overall style. Does she like modern lines and geometric patterns? Or, does she like softer, more romantic shapes?

Is radiant or cushion cut better?

Cushion cuts are softer and more romantic, while Radiants present a more structured look. Radiant diamonds are cut-corner squares or rectangles – so these stones are edgy! On the other hand, cushion cuts tend to look more feminine. Both of these diamonds sparkle a ton, so they’re both great options! They also both give you the choice between chunky and crushed ice sparkle. So, you can’t go wrong. One thing that may help you pick is length-to-width ratio. If you’re looking for a square stone, you’ll find more luck with cushions. However, if you want a nice elongated stone, radiants are the way to go!

Should I buy a cushion cut diamond?

Yes! Cushions are a great choice because they are timeless, super sparkly, and a good value. Because diamonds grow in squarish crystals, cushions use most of a diamond’s crystal rough, making them cost less than rounds. A huge majority of the world’s most famous diamonds are cushion cuts! Finally, because they are brilliant cut – with triangular and kite shaped facets – they are mega sparkly. A cushion cut ring is a classic pick!

Is cushion cut a good diamond?

Yes, cushion cuts that have even brilliance/contrast, no windowing, and no fisheyes are remarkably beautiful diamonds. If you follow our guide here, you’re sure to choose a timeless stunner. Have questions? Email us at care@doamore.com and we can custom curate a selection of gorgeous cushions for you to choose from!

Why are cushion cut diamonds cheaper?

Cushion cut diamonds are less expensive than rounds because they waste less rough crystal. Also, because they are less in-demand than round or princess cut diamonds, they tend to cost less, too! This means that choosing a cushion cut diamond offers you not only super sparkle, but great value, too.

Can you help me find the best cushion cut diamond?

Of course! I have a cushion and absolutely love it! Email me (Corinne, the gemologist) at care@doamore.com or drop us a line here and let us know what you’re thinking! I’d love to run a custom search for you and curate a gorgeous selection of ideal Cushion cuts for you to choose from.