Between Taylor Swift and Madison Beer getting engaged with elongated cushions, I think it's safe to say this diamond shape is having a very big year. Our clients have been loving elongated cushions for years, and they're one of my favorite shapes to source because this shape is incredibly nuanced.
An Old Cut with a Modern Following
First, a little history! One of my favorite things about cushion cuts is that they have a history that goes back centuries. Modern cushions evolved from old mine cuts, which were among the predominant diamond cutting styles of the 18th and 19th centuries. If you've ever seen a beautiful antique old mine diamond, you'll recognize some of that same DNA: softly rounded corners, a pillowy outline, and a faceting pattern that can produce these incredible, broad flashes of light.
Of course, diamond cutting has come a long way since then. Modern cushions can be incredibly brilliant, with faceting arrangements that are quite different from their antique predecessors. But I love that the shape has retained so much of its original character.
What I Look For in a Cushion Cut
This is where I get particular! When I'm sourcing a cushion for a client, there are three things I'm paying especially close attention to: the outline, the faceting, and how the diamond performs in the light.
1. Shape: Not All Elongated Cushions Are Created Equal
Elongated cushions are everywhere right now, and our clients absolutely love them. A cushion's length-to-width ratio tells us how elongated it is. A ratio of 1.00 is square, while something around 1.15 to 1.30 gives you a noticeably elongated shape. Go higher, and you can get a much longer, more rectangular appearance.
But here's the important part: two cushions with the exact same ratio can have completely different outlines. Some have fuller, more rounded corners and gently curved sides. Others have straighter edges and a more rectangular appearance. Some have beautiful symmetry, while others can look a little bottom-heavy.
I want the outline to feel balanced, the corners to relate beautifully to the sides, and the whole diamond to have pleasing proportions.
2. Faceting: Chunky vs. Crushed Ice
If there's one thing I wish more people understood about cushions, it's the faceting. You'll often hear cushions described as either “chunky” or “crushed ice.” These aren't official GIA classifications, but they're useful ways of describing how a diamond handles light.
Chunky cushions have larger, more defined facets that produce broad, distinct flashes of brilliance and fire. Think of those wonderful antique old mine diamonds where you can actually follow the flashes of light across the stone. I personally love this look, especially when the faceting has an antique influence.
Crushed-ice cushions, on the other hand, have a much more fragmented appearance, with lots of tiny flashes of light throughout the diamond. They can be incredibly sparkly, but the effect is very different.
When I’m sourcing cushion cuts, I'm looking for how the facets are arranged, how they interact with one another, and whether the overall effect is beautiful. Some crushed-ice cushions are exceptional, and some can look a little watery in the center. The same goes for chunky cushions. Larger facets are wonderful, but only when they're working well together.
There are also plenty of cushions that fall somewhere between these two looks, which is why I never think it's enough to simply ask for a chunky cushion or a crushed-ice cushion. You really need to see the individual stone.
3. Light Performance: The Part You Can't Read on a GIA Report
This is where I get very particular! With cushions, I want bright, distinct flashes of light across the stone, not a dark center or muddled faceting that never really comes to life. I also pay close attention to the corners, where cushions can lose brightness. A little contrast is beautiful, but persistent darkness is not!
And here's what makes cushions tricky: GIA doesn't assign them an overall cut grade. Two cushions with identical carat weights, color, and clarity can look WILDLY different. I've passed on plenty of diamonds with excellent reports because the light performance simply wasn't there. The numbers matter, but they don't tell you whether a cushion is actually beautiful!
Finding the Right Cushion for You
There is no universal formula for the perfect cushion cut, and that's precisely what makes them so interesting to collect and work with. Between the outline, the proportions, the faceting, and the way each diamond interacts with light, there are so many opportunities to find something truly distinctive.
If you're thinking about a cushion cut engagement ring, we'd love to help you find yours. Whether you're drawn to an antique-inspired chunky cushion, a beautifully elongated modern stone, or aren't quite sure what you're looking for yet, that's my favorite part of the process. Let's find your perfect cushion!