The cushion cut diamond has been a glorious revival in recent years, becoming one of the most sought-after engagement rings Toronto couples are choosing to use in their special moments. The cushion cut with its unique rounded corners and bright faceting provides the ideal mixture of old romanticism and modern glitz, which captures the eye of the modern romantics, who want something classic and distinctive at the same time.
Understanding the Cushion Cut Diamond
The cushion cut, also referred to as the pillow cut, has a square or rectangular shape, rounded corners and brilliant-cut facets that provide spectacular sparkle. This cut is more than 200 years old, and it was first created as the “old mine cut” in the 19th century. Modern cushion cuts that are introduced today have merged this historical legacy with current cutting methods to produce brilliance and fire like no other diamond shapes today.
The difference between cushion cuts and other diamond shapes is their capability to reveal the natural beauty of a diamond and, at the same time, retain a soft and romantic look that attracts couples who want their diamond to have both style and character. The bigger facets form gorgeous bursts of light, and cushion cuts are especially good at illustrating both the lustre of lab-grown diamonds and the nature of mined diamond rings.
Types of Cushion Cut Diamonds
When selecting a cushion cut engagement ring, you’ll encounter several variations:
Standard Cushion Cut:
This has the conventional square or slightly rectangular and rounded corners. This vintage variant is beautiful and suitable for those who value vintage sophistication.
Modified Cushion Cut:
This includes an extra row of facets beneath the girdle, creating additional sparkle and light return. This variation often displays more fire and scintillation than the standard cut.
Cushion Brilliant Cut:
This maximizes light performance through optimized facet arrangements, offering exceptional sparkle that rivals round diamonds in brilliance.
Antique Cushion Cut:
This maintains the vintage character of old mine cuts with larger, chunkier facets that create distinctive light patterns reminiscent of old school romance.
Choosing the Perfect Cushion Cut Proportions
The proportions of cushion cuts are a key element of their beauty, as they directly influence their light performance and visual appeal. The length-to-width ratio of cushions, which are ideally square, should lie between 1.00 and 1.05, and between 1.15 and 1.30 in the case of rectangular cuts, which produce a long, graceful look on the finger.
The depth percentage ought to be between 61-68%, whilst the table percentage ought to be between 61-67% to produce the best light return. The crown angle and the pavilion angle are two areas that deserve particular attention because they impact the light performance of the diamond and the overall visual effect significantly.
A properly cut cushion diamond will exhibit great brilliance with very little light leakage, producing that sought-after crushed ice or chunky light effect that cushion cuts are known for and that so many couples are so enamoured with.
Setting Styles That Enhance Cushion Cuts
Cushion cuts can be used in many different setting styles, each bringing out a different facet of their romantic nature:
- Solitaire Settings demonstrate the natural beauty of the diamond, with no distractions, letting the romantic shape of the cushion cut and its fantastic faceting to be the centre of attention. This timeless option is very suitable for both conventional and modern tastes.
- Halo Settings feature smaller diamonds that help to enclose an already existing centre stone to create more sparkle and make the centre stone look bigger with a greater degree of lustre. This style is especially well-suited to cushion cuts since it repeats their rounded edges and adds a vintage look to them.
- Three-Stone Settings look lovely with cushion centres, with either smaller cushion cuts flanking the sides, oval-shaped side stones to provide a curve, or emerald cut diamonds to create amazing geometric contrast.
- Vintage-Inspired Settings with milgrain details, filigree work, and intricate metalwork complement the antique heritage of cushion cuts, creating truly romantic custom engagement rings that tell a timeless love story.
Comparing Cushion Cuts to Other Shapes
Although cushion cuts have their own benefits, a comparison with other popular shapes will allow for informed decisions:
Cushion cuts, when compared with oval engagement rings, have a greater vintage flair and generally are cheaper per carat with the same amount of finger coverage. Compared to emerald diamond engagement rings, cushions provide much more brilliance and fire, whereas emerald cuts are more sophisticated in style and display substantially superior levels of clarity.
Round diamonds are still the standard of brilliance, but cushion cuts provide the same level of sparkle with a personality and can cost less. It is usually just a matter of taste between traditional perfection and romantic individuality.
Your Cushion Cut Journey
Selecting the perfect cushion-cut engagement ring requires expertise and personalized guidance. At Serli & Siroan, our three generations of experience help couples navigate the world of cushion cuts, offering both lab-grown and mined diamond options with exceptional cut quality.
We also specialize in custom engagement rings that mirror your personal love story. And whether it is old-fashioned solitaires or vintage-style designs, our master craftsmen create wedding rings in Toronto that can be passed on across generations.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Do cushion-cut diamonds look smaller than other shapes?
Cushion cuts typically have a slightly smaller visual appearance than oval or emerald shapes of the same carat weight due to their deeper proportions. However, their brilliant faceting creates excellent light return that compensates for this difference.
Q: Are lab-grown diamonds available in cushion cuts?
Yes! Lab-grown cushion cuts offer the same beauty and durability as mined diamonds, typically at 30-50% lower cost. They’re becoming increasingly popular for couples seeking both value and ethical sourcing.
Q: How do I choose between square and rectangular cushion cuts?
Square cushions (1.00-1.05 ratio) offer classic symmetry and work well on most finger types. Rectangular cushions (1.15+ ratio) can make fingers appear longer and often provide better value per carat.
Q: What is the most appropriate colour grade of cushion-cut engagement rings?
Cushion cuts have a higher tendency to preserve colour than brilliant rounds, and therefore we generally suggest using G colour and higher in white metal settings. H-I colours may look great in a yellow or rose gold setting.
Q: Can cushion cuts be used in wedding ring sets?
Absolutely! Cushion cuts pair beautifully with various wedding ring styles. Contoured bands that follow the stone’s curved corners create seamless sets, while straight bands offer classic elegance.