A cushion cut diamond is a square cut diamond with rounded corners. The cut was introduced before about 200 years and it was quite popular in the initial years after its introduction. It almost resembles a pillow and hence the name.
The cushion has been subject to several refinements over time according to the changes in diamond trends and preferences. The antique feel that the cushion cut gives is what interests many buyers.
Shape Options In Cushion Cut Diamonds
Cushion-cut diamonds can be square or rectangular. They are traditionally square but you can choose rectangular shapes by altering the length to width ratio of the stone. A perfectly square cut will have a length to width ratio between 1 and 1.05. Length to width ratios 1.2 to 1.3 correspond to rectangular cuts.
What Are The Advantages And Disadvantages Of Cushion Cut?
The pros and cons of cushion cut diamonds are given below:
Advantages
- Appreciable brilliance and fire
- Less costly than round cuts
- High durability offered by the rounded edges
- Its unique shape is perfect for making personalized diamond rings.
Disadvantages
- Imperfections are more visible due to the open table
- Retains color more than most other diamond shapes
Best Settings For Cushion Cut Diamonds
The setting you choose for a stone determines the overall appearance of the diamond ring. Cushion-cut diamond has a vintage charm.
A four-prong setting is the most practical setting you can choose for cushion cuts (2-carat or 4-carat). The setting ensures that the stone is held in place perfectly. What about a 6-prong setting? It would be required for large stones.
When style preferences are taken into account, a bezel setting is one of the best choices for cushion cut diamonds. The setting goes well with most types of stones including rubies and sapphires.
Color Retention In Cushion Cut Diamonds
Color retention is one of the characteristics of cushion cut diamonds that is good when it comes to colored diamonds and undesirable when it comes to colorless diamonds. Choose diamond graded D-F for perfect whiteness. The color grades have significant differences from one another in price. However, the color differences are so slight, which means you may go for an F-grade stone if you are on a budget.
When buying cushion cuts, study their grading report and if you have no experience dealing with diamonds, you may take an expert with you.