Cushion Cut Diamonds: Pros and Cons Before You Buy
A cushion cut diamond is a square or rectangular brilliant cut with rounded corners and large facets that create a soft, pillow-like outline. It combines the brilliance of a modern round brilliant with an antique silhouette, producing a warm, romantic light that differs noticeably from the sharp sparkle of a round or the clean geometry of an emerald cut.
TL;DR: Cushion cuts offer strong brilliance, a soft romantic aesthetic, and come in square or rectangular proportions. They tend to show colour more readily than round brilliants, so G colour or above is recommended in white metal settings. IGI and GIA certified cushion diamonds are available for bespoke commissions at À Vie Diamonds from £2,000.
What Is a Cushion Cut Diamond?
The cushion cut evolved from the old mine cut — the dominant diamond shape in the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries — which had a high crown, small table, and large culet that produced a distinctive candlelight glow. See our Old Mine and Old European cut guide for more on this heritage. The modern cushion cut retains the rounded-corner square outline but applies contemporary faceting to improve brilliance under electric light.
There are two main cushion cut faceting styles:
Standard cushion brilliant — facets similar to a round brilliant, producing broad flashes of light and a chunky, traditional sparkle pattern.
Cushion modified brilliant — additional facets beneath the girdle produce a crushed ice appearance: many small, bright reflections rather than large distinct flashes. A matter of preference rather than quality.
Cushion Cut Pros
Romantic, antique aesthetic. The rounded corners and soft outline of a cushion cut read as warm and vintage-inspired without being literally antique. It is a popular choice for wearers who love the look of estate jewellery but want a new, certified stone.
Strong brilliance. Despite its historical roots, the modern cushion cut achieves excellent light return. The modified brilliant version in particular produces intense, crushed-ice sparkle that can rival a round brilliant.
Square options without sharp corners. For wearers who want a square stone but find the princess cut too geometric, the cushion offers a softer square profile without the pointed corners that can chip in princess cuts. See our full princess vs cushion comparison for the direct trade-offs.
Lower price per carat than round. Cushion cuts are typically 15 to 25 per cent less expensive per carat than round brilliants of equivalent quality, making them one of the better value fancy shapes for buyers prioritising carat weight.
Versatile in settings. Cushions suit solitaire, halo, pavé, and side stone settings equally well. The rounded outline makes them particularly well suited to halo designs, where the surrounding diamonds follow the stone’s soft shape.
Cushion Cut Cons
Shows colour more readily than round. The large facets of a cushion cut allow colour to pool visibly, particularly in the corners. G colour or above is recommended for white gold and platinum settings. H colour can work in yellow gold, where the warm metal tone complements a slightly warmer stone.
No standardised cut grade. GIA and IGI do not issue a cut grade for cushion cuts the way they do for round brilliants. Quality must be assessed visually — look for even brilliance across the stone, no dark or lifeless zones, and symmetrical outline.
Crushed ice vs chunky sparkle is divisive. The two faceting styles produce very different looks and buyers are often surprised by the difference. Always view the specific stone rather than selecting by grade alone.
Face-up size per carat is smaller than elongated shapes. A square cushion presents smaller than an oval or emerald cut of the same carat weight. A rectangular cushion (length-to-width ratio around 1.20:1) gives a larger face-up appearance than a square cushion.
Cushion Cut vs Other Shapes
| Factor | Cushion | Round brilliant | Oval | Princess |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Light character | Warm, chunky or crushed ice | Continuous sparkle | Brilliant sparkle | Sharp, geometric |
| Colour visibility | Higher | Lower | Medium | Medium–high |
| Price per carat | 15–25% below round | Premium | 10–20% below round | 10–15% below round |
| Chip risk | Low (rounded corners) | Low | Low | Medium (pointed corners) |
| Aesthetic | Romantic, vintage | Classic | Modern, elongated | Contemporary, geometric |
| Cut grade available | No | Yes (GIA/IGI) | No | No |
Choosing the Right Cushion Cut Diamond
Decide between square and rectangular. A length-to-width ratio of 1.00:1 to 1.05:1 gives a square cushion. 1.10:1 to 1.20:1 gives a gently elongated cushion that presents larger. Above 1.25:1 begins to look noticeably rectangular.
Decide between standard and modified brilliant. If you want distinct, large flashes of light, choose a standard cushion. If you prefer intense, sparkling crushed ice, choose a modified. View both if possible — the difference in person is significant.
Colour: G or above in white metal. In 18ct yellow gold, H colour is acceptable. In white gold or platinum, the warm tone of an H cushion can be more visible than in other shapes.
Clarity: VS2 or above is a safe starting point. The brilliant faceting hides inclusions reasonably well, but the large facets of some cushion cuts can make inclusions more visible than in a round brilliant. VS2 is the recommended minimum; SI1 should be assessed individually — see our eye-clean diamond guide for more on this trade-off.
Cushion Cuts in Bespoke Rings at À Vie Diamonds
Cushion cuts are a popular commission choice, particularly in halo settings and east-west solitaires. We source IGI and GIA certified cushion diamonds and provide video of each stone before confirmation so you can assess the sparkle character before committing.
Explore our diamond shapes guide to compare cushions with other shapes, visit our cut guide for more on faceting, or get in touch to discuss a cushion cut commission.
Related Reading
- Princess vs Cushion Cut: Which Diamond Shape Should You Choose?
- Old Mine and Old European Cut Diamonds Explained
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between a cushion cut and a round brilliant? A round brilliant is circular with a standardised facet arrangement and a GIA/IGI cut grade. A cushion cut is square or rectangular with rounded corners and varied faceting styles. The cushion produces a warmer, more vintage-influenced light; the round brilliant produces sharper, more consistent sparkle.
What is the difference between a standard cushion and a cushion modified brilliant? A standard cushion has larger facets that produce distinct, chunky flashes of light. A cushion modified brilliant has additional facets beneath the girdle that create a crushed ice appearance. Neither is superior; it is a question of preference.
Do cushion cut diamonds look smaller than round brilliants? A square cushion of the same carat weight as a round brilliant will typically look slightly smaller face-up. A rectangular cushion (ratio around 1.15:1 to 1.20:1) presents larger and is a good option for buyers who want maximum face-up size in a cushion shape.
What colour grade should I choose for a cushion cut diamond? G or above in white gold or platinum. H is acceptable in yellow gold. Cushion cuts pool colour more readily than round brilliants, particularly in the corners, so a higher colour grade gives more margin.
Is a cushion cut diamond cheaper than a round brilliant? Yes, typically 15 to 25 per cent less per carat for equivalent colour and clarity grades, making it one of the better value choices among popular diamond shapes.
Last reviewed: July 2026 · À Vie Diamonds