Cushion Cut Engagement Rings

The Cushion Cut

Cushion Cut Engagement Rings

A cushion cut diamond is a square or soft rectangle with rounded corners and brilliant facets, the shape that sat in most engagement rings before the round brilliant existed. It comes in two facet styles that look nothing alike: the antique cushion, with large facets that throw broad flashes of color, and the modern cushion, with small facets that sparkle like a round. Same outline, different diamond. Knowing which one you are looking at is the whole decision.

Every cushion cut ring here is made to order in our Los Angeles atelier, modeled around the measurements of the diamond you choose. Cushions vary more in outline than any other shape, from near square to pillow to elongated, so the seat and the prongs are built to the certificate rather than to a standard head.

Two ways to own one

Build your ring. Choose a cushion setting below, then pair it with a natural or lab cushion diamond from our inventory. A ROSI™ Score Report, our gemological intelligence, reads the cut performance and fair market position of any natural diamond you are considering, and tells you which facet style you are looking at. John Anderson, our Lead Gemologist, reviews the shortlist with you.

Choose a Select ring. The Select rings in this collection arrive complete, with an IGI certified lab cushion already matched to the setting in the carat weight you choose.

How to choose a cushion cut diamond

• Antique or modern. Antique cushions (sometimes called chunky or old mine style) have a small table and large facets; they glow. Modern cushions have a crushed ice look of many small facets; they sparkle. Neither is better. Decide this first, because no setting changes it.
• Ratio. 1.00 to 1.05 is a square cushion. 1.10 to 1.25 is elongated and lengthens the finger. The elongated cushion has been the most requested cushion in our atelier for the last few years.
• Color. Cushions hold more body color than rounds. H or better faces up white in platinum and white gold; yellow and rose gold flatter down to J, and an antique cushion in yellow gold is the classic pairing.
• Clarity. Crushed ice cushions hide inclusions well; VS2 and often SI1 are clean to the eye. Antique cushions with large facets show more, so stay at VS2 or better.
• Setting. A halo makes a cushion the shape most people picture as vintage. A four prong solitaire shows the outline. A hidden halo keeps the top clean and adds light from the side. Bezels suit the softer outlines.

Cushion settings by style

Cushion Halo Engagement Rings · Cushion Solitaire Engagement Rings · Vintage Engagement Rings · Three Stone Engagement Rings · All Engagement Rings

Talk to a jeweler before you decide

Two cushions with identical certificates can look like different shapes on the hand. John Anderson, our Lead Gemologist, compares the candidates with you on the phone or by video and tells you which facet style and outline each one really has. Call 1-800-779-1726 or request a consultation. There is no charge and no obligation.

Frequently Asked Questions