Collection: Cushion Cut Engagement Rings

Both are square or rectangular with rounded corners, but the facet patterns are different. A cushion brilliant has facets arranged similarly to a round brilliant, producing distinct, defined flashes of light. A cushion modified brilliant has an additional row of facets on the pavilion (the lower half of the stone) that breaks the light into smaller, more scattered reflections, often described as a "crushed ice" look. Neither is objectively better. Cushion brilliants tend to show more defined light and dark contrast. Cushion modified brilliants have a more uniform sparkle. The only reliable way to tell which you prefer is to see both in person.

An old mine cut is the antique predecessor of the modern cushion cut. Both have a squarish outline with rounded corners, but old mine cuts have a higher crown, a smaller table, a visible culet (the flat facet at the bottom of the stone), and broader, more irregular facets. Old mine cuts were shaped entirely by hand, which means each one has slight asymmetries that give it individual character. Modern cushion cuts are precision-cut by machine for maximum light return and symmetry. The light performance is noticeably different: old mine cuts produce warm, broad flashes of light while modern cushions produce sharper, more rapid sparkle.

Cushion cuts tend to have a slightly smaller face-up appearance than round brilliants of the same carat weight because more of the stone's weight is carried in the depth. However, the rounded square outline can create the visual impression of a larger stone on the finger because it covers more area in two directions. The effect varies by the specific stone's proportions. Elongated cushion cuts (rectangular rather than square) tend to look larger on the hand than square cushions of the same weight because the length stretches along the finger.

Cushion cuts are versatile and work in most setting styles. Solitaire settings let the shape speak for itself and tend to sit lower on the finger than round solitaires. Halo settings add a frame of smaller diamonds around the center stone, which increases the overall visual size. Three-stone settings with tapered baguette or trapezoid side stones complement the cushion's geometry. For antique old mine cut cushions, vintage-style settings with milgrain edges and filigree detail match the character of the stone. The rounded corners of a cushion cut are less prone to chipping than sharp-cornered shapes like princess cuts, so prong exposure is less of a concern.

Generally, yes. Cushion cuts typically cost 15 to 30 percent less per carat than round brilliants at equivalent color and clarity grades. The primary reason is market demand: round brilliants account for the majority of diamond purchases, which keeps their prices higher. Cushion cuts also retain more of the rough diamond during cutting, which reduces manufacturing waste and contributes to the lower price. Old mine cut cushions (antique stones) follow a different pricing dynamic and can vary widely depending on the age, quality, and provenance of the specific stone.