Cushion Cut
The cushion cut is a square or rectangular diamond with softly rounded corners and large facets that give a soft, romantic glow.
The cushion cut has a square or slightly rectangular outline with gently rounded corners, so it looks like a little pillow, which is where the name comes from. Its larger facets give a soft, warm glow rather than the sharp sparkle of a modern brilliant. One of the oldest shapes still in use, it is a favourite for vintage-inspired designs.
A vintage shape with a soft glow
The cushion descends from the old mine cut, a shape that lit rooms by candlelight in the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries. Modern cushions keep that heritage look: rounded corners, a curved outline, and open facets that pool light into a soft, romantic glow. They tend to show strong fire, the coloured flashes, more than tight white sparkle, which suits the antique aesthetic.
Cushions come in a range of styles, from nearly square to distinctly rectangular, and with either chunkier or more crushed-ice faceting. That variety means two cushions can look quite different, so it is worth viewing the specific stone rather than shopping by name alone.
- Pillow-like outline with rounded corners
- One of the oldest diamond shapes, descended from the old mine cut
- Larger facets give a soft glow and strong fire
- Ranges from square to rectangular, chunky to crushed-ice
No cut grade, and what to check
GIA does not assign a cut grade to the cushion, because there is no single ideal set of proportions for it. That puts the responsibility on the buyer to judge each stone on its own light performance and images. Rounded corners make it durable and less prone to chipping than a princess, which is a practical plus.
Its open facets can show colour a little more than a round, so a near colourless grade keeps it looking clean, though many people enjoy a warmer cushion in yellow or rose gold for a vintage feel. Clarity should be eye-clean; the facet pattern hides inclusions reasonably well but not as thoroughly as a busy round brilliant.
- The cushion is a pillow-shaped diamond with rounded corners.
- It is one of the oldest shapes, with a vintage character.
- Larger facets give a soft glow and strong fire.
- GIA gives it no cut grade, so judge each stone individually.
- Rounded corners make it durable and resistant to chipping.
Cushion Cut, in short.
Why does a cushion cut have no cut grade?
GIA grades cut only for round brilliants. The cushion has no single ideal set of proportions and comes in many styles, so it is not assigned an overall cut grade. Judge each stone on its own appearance.
Is a cushion cut sparkly?
It sparkles with a softer, warmer glow than a round, and it tends to show strong fire, the coloured flashes. The effect is romantic and vintage rather than sharp and icy.
Are cushion cut diamonds durable?
Yes. The rounded corners have no sharp points to chip, so a cushion is more durable than a princess and holds up well to everyday wear.
Related terms
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