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Two cushion-cut diamonds can have the same carat weight, colour and clarity, but look dramatically different. One diamond will have bigger flashes of light while the other one will have sparkling glitter. They can also have different shapes, ranging from almost square to more elongated.

That is why cushion engagement rings can be difficult to compare, despite several specifications that indicate the differences.

The cushion cut has an old-fashioned look due to its pillowed shape with rounded edges. It is a great cut for both vintage and modern jewellery, but it can be challenging to determine which shape, proportions and setting combination looks best.

Square or Elongated Cushion Diamonds: The First Comparison

Diamonds with a cushion cut can be square-shaped, but most of them have some rectangular shape.

Length to Width Ratio: The cushions have varying proportions

It is worth noting that the elongated cushion cut diamonds have a greater length to width ratio. As a reference point, here is an example: A diamond with a length of 7.5 mm and a width of 6.25 mm will have a ratio of 1.20.

As a general guide, The cushion cut diamond with a ratio between 1.00 – 1.05 will be nearly square,

• a ratio between 1.06 – 1.15 will be slightly rectangular,
• and a ratio between 1.16 – 1.30 will be significantly elongated.
• No ratio is better than the other; it is a matter of preference.

Square cushions usually look great in halo settings while elongated cushions add more length to the finger. Nevertheless, the length to width ratio is not enough to indicate the shape because the cushions can also have different corner angles and rounded edges. It is always a good idea to view photos of actual diamonds to understand the shape better.

Why Cushion Diamonds Can Look Different

Light interacts with the surface of the diamond before bouncing back to the naked eye.

Cushion cut diamonds can look different because of the differences in the flashes of light that they exhibit.

Some cushion diamonds have bigger flashes while others have smaller ones. In other words, some cushion diamonds have chunky facets while others have crushed ice effects.

Both chunky and crushed ice facets are beautiful, but the difference is that the former has larger flashes that are easy to see, while the latter has smaller flashes that require a closer look to see all the sparkle.

If you want a cushion diamond with big flashes of light, you should go for the chunky facets. On the other hand, if you want a cushion diamond with a crushed ice effect, you will have to settle for smaller flashes.

When shopping for cushion-cut engagement rings, you can request videos to see how the different facets of the diamond look. Avoid using videos with poor lighting since ideal lighting can make a diamond look brighter than it actually is. Pay close attention to the video to see if there are dark spots that do not catch the eye as the diamond spins.

Carat Weight Can Be Misleading When Shopping for Cushion-Cut Diamonds

You always assume that a 1.5-carat cushion-cut diamond has the same weight as another 1.5-carat cushion-cut diamond. However, carat weight does not always dictate the size of the diamond.

Some cushion-cut diamonds can be deeper, meaning that some weight is distributed downwards instead of outwards. In other words, one diamond can appear slightly smaller compared to another diamond with the same carat weight.

This is why it always makes sense to look at diamond measurements (in millimetres) when shopping for cushion-cut diamonds.

Use millimetres to compare the length, width and depth of two cushion-cut diamonds. If one diamond looks good but slightly smaller than the other, it would be a good investment as it will save you some money.

Nevertheless, avoid going for extremely shallow cushions just to get a bigger-looking diamond because it will have poor light performance.

The Shape and the Sparkle of Cushion Diamonds Are Connected

The shape of a cushion diamond determines the sparkle that it exhibits. At the same time, the sparkle also depends on the setting that you decide to go with.

Solitaire settings

A solitaire band allows the shape of the cushion-cut diamond to stand out. Four-prong settings can enhance the pillowed look of the cushion-cut diamond, while other prong styles can make the shape less prominent. It is always important to ensure that the prongs are in the right position and size to secure the diamond.

Halo settings

Halo settings provide a bigger illusion of size by surrounding the centre diamond with smaller accent diamonds. Cushion-cut diamonds always work well with halo settings because of their pillowed shape. However, it is always important to ensure that the halo diamonds complement the shape of the centre cushion-cut diamond. An ill-fitting halo can make it impossible to notice that the centre diamond has an elongated shape.

Bezel settings

A bezel setting makes it possible to utilise the pillowed shape of the cushion-cut diamond. It protects the diamond from scratches since the whole edge is enclosed with metal. It is a great option for people with active lifestyles, but it is not a good choice if you want to highlight the shape of the cushion-cut diamond. It also slightly hides the edge of the cushion-cut diamond.

Hidden halos and pave bands

Hidden halos and pave bands can add extra sparkle to cushion-cut diamond rings. They work well with cushion-cut diamonds because of the extra space that is available around the centre diamond. Nevertheless, they enclose smaller diamonds that may require frequent maintenance.

How to Choose the Right Colour and Clarity Grade for Your Cushion Diamond

The colours and clarity grades of man made diamonds are important considerations because they affect their beauty. However, it is important to remember that clarity and colour grades do not always define value.

Cushion diamonds can look dramatically different depending on their colour, clarity, metal setting and facets. For example, near colourless diamonds look great in yellow gold due to the slight yellowish undertone that is found in the metal. On the other hand, white gold and platinum will highlight whiteness in the diamond.

The same applies to clarity. Always avoid assuming that the clarity grade defines the overall appearance of the cushion-cut diamond. Instead, look at the location and appearance of the imperfections and utilise the magnified image that should accompany each diamond. Diamonds that have imperfections towards the edge of the pavilion or table are not easily visible, compared to those that are found in the middle of the diamond.

Ask for magnified images and video content to get a better understanding of the appearance of the cushion-cut diamond. Compare the video with the image to get an accurate perception of the appearance of the cushion-cut diamond.

The Role of Lab-created Diamonds in Cushion Engagement Rings

Lab-created diamonds have the same structure and appearance as natural diamonds. The only difference is the source from which they came. Lab-created diamonds allow shoppers to get bigger diamonds without spending too much money.

However, keep in mind that sustainability and ethical mining are subjective issues, and companies that deal with lab-created diamonds must substantiate their claims. In other words, it is not enough to rely on the word of the seller when shopping for lab-created diamonds. The same principles that apply to natural diamonds also apply to lab-grown diamonds.

In other words, when shopping for lab-grown cushion-cut diamonds, it is important to consider all the factors that were mentioned throughout this article. A bigger lab-grown diamond is not a better option if the smaller one has better sparkle, shape and other desirable characteristics.

Examining the Diamond Report and Comparing It to the Images and Video

An independent grading report should be used as a reference point when you are shopping for cushion-cut engagement rings. A grading report can help you identify the most important specifications, including the length, the width and the carat weight.

Independent labs such as GIA and IGI can give you an accurate assessment of the most important specifications of the cushion-cut diamond. Always remember that the laboratory grading reports should not be used as the sole deciding factor when shopping for diamonds.

For example, GIA (Gemological Institute of America) does not provide the overall cut grade for cushion-cut diamonds. The same cut grading system that is used for round brilliant diamonds is applied to cushion-cut diamonds. This means that the Excellent polish and symmetry grade for cushion-cut diamonds will not have much of an impact on the brilliance of the cushion-cut diamond.

Compare the laboratory reports with the images and video of the actual cushion-cut diamond. Always remember to check the report numbers if the laboratory provides an online database for verifying the reports.

The Things That You Should Double-check Before Buying Cushion-cut Engagement Rings

A cushion-cut engagement ring should not be compared to a loose diamond. Instead, look at the cushion-cut diamond as a piece of jewellery because it will always come with a band.

For example, ask yourself if you want a low profile design so that your wedding band will not stick out. Some cushion-cut engagement rings are too low-profile to allow a standard wedding band to sit correctly on the finger.

Another consideration is the type of metal that you want to use. Platinum will develop a patina over time while white gold will require regular rhodium plating to maintain its bright appearance.

If you are making a purchase in Australia, double-check if the listed price includes GST, whether resizing is an option and how returns work. Ask for confirmation about the size, the height of the setting, the metal and the delivery before you approve the order.