Cushion Cut Diamond
By Jared James · Last updated 28 October 2026
Quick answer
A cushion cut diamond has a square or rectangular outline with soft, rounded corners, and depending on the facet pattern it can look antique, modern, chunky or crushed ice. Many buyers find themselves choosing between a true square cushion at a ratio close to 1.00 and an elongated cushion somewhere around 1.15 to 1.30, so it helps to decide the sparkle style and the outline you want first, then compare colour, depth and setting from there.
Shape at a glance
| Detail | Typical detail | Buying note |
|---|---|---|
| Facet pattern | Brilliant or modified brilliant, with soft corners. | The facet style changes the look dramatically, anywhere from broad chunky flashes to a fine crushed ice sparkle. |
| Typical ratio | Around 1.00 to 1.10 for square cushions and 1.15 to 1.30 for rectangular cushions. | Settle on the outline before you compare grades, because a square cushion and a rectangular one feel quite different on the hand. |
| Sparkle | Can show strong fire, soft brilliance or a crushed ice texture. | Video really matters here, because the report cannot tell you whether you will like the facet pattern. |
| Best for | Halos, vintage-inspired rings, solitaires and soft-edged designs. | Choose cushion when you want a warm, soft outline rather than sharp, defined corners. |
What is a Cushion Cut Diamond?
A cushion cut diamond combines a square or rectangular outline with rounded, pillow-soft corners, which is where the name comes from. The shape has a lovely old-cut feel to it, though modern cushions are cut in several different ways.
Some cushions show broad, chunky flashes of light, while others show a crushed ice pattern made up of many small, glittering reflections, and neither one is automatically better. The right cushion is simply the one you like watching in motion.
Square
A square cushion, ratio 1.02.
Elongated
An elongated cushion, ratio 1.25.
What to check before choosing
Crushed ice or brilliant cushion cut?
Work out whether you prefer broad, chunky flashes or a crushed ice texture made up of many tiny reflections, because this single decision changes the look of the ring far more than a small difference in colour or clarity grade. Always compare videos of the exact stone before you commit.
Best colour grade for a cushion cut diamond
Cushions tend to hold a little warmth in the corners, especially in larger stones. Every diamond we sell is D, E or F colour, so it stays white in platinum and white gold as well as in yellow or rose gold.
Square or elongated cushion cut?
A square cushion sits around a 1.00 to 1.10 ratio and reads compact and traditional, while an elongated cushion at 1.15 to 1.30 reads longer on the finger and faces up larger for the same carat weight. Compare the millimetre measurements rather than just the carat number, because a deep cushion can look smaller than you expect.
Settings that suit this shape
- A halo traces the softened outline neatly and can make a cushion look noticeably more substantial.
- A simple 4-prong setting keeps the shape soft and clean, with very little metal in the way.
- Vintage details like milgrain and delicate side stones suit cushions well, since the shape already carries a romantic, old-world feel.
Solitaire with bands
An elongated cushion solitaire stacked with three bands.
Three-stone
A cushion centre between two pear side stones.
Who does cushion cut suit?
Cushion cut suits anyone who wants a softer diamond shape with a bit of personality. It comes into its own when the setting leans romantic, vintage or detailed.
Watch for
- Crushed ice sparkle is a personal taste, so see it moving in a video before you choose.
- A deep cushion can face up smaller than its carat weight suggests.
- Body colour can be a little more noticeable than it is in a round brilliant.
Watch: before you buy a cushion cut diamond
A quick walkthrough of what to weigh up before you choose a cushion cut diamond.
Frequently asked questions
- What is a cushion cut diamond?
- A cushion cut diamond has a square or rectangular outline with rounded, pillow-soft corners. It can be cut as a chunky old-style brilliant or with fine crushed ice faceting, so the exact stone matters far more than the name printed on the report.
- What is an elongated cushion cut diamond?
- An elongated cushion is a cushion cut with a longer outline, usually a length-to-width ratio between 1.15 and 1.30. It faces up larger on the finger than a square cushion of the same carat weight and tends to read as more modern.
- What is a crushed ice cushion cut diamond?
- Crushed ice describes a facet pattern with many small, irregular reflections that look a little like shattered glass or, fittingly, crushed ice. Some buyers love the texture, while others prefer the broader, chunkier flashes of an old-style cushion brilliant.
- What is the difference between a cushion cut and a princess cut?
- A cushion cut has softened, rounded corners and a facet style that varies from stone to stone. A princess cut has sharp, exposed corners and a more uniform square brilliant pattern, so it reads crisper and more geometric.
- What is the difference between a cushion cut and a round diamond?
- A round brilliant is a circular shape built for maximum sparkle, and it is the only common shape with a formal cut grade. A cushion is square or rectangular with rounded corners and a softer, more romantic look. On our ring builder a lab-grown cushion costs more than a round of the same weight from 1 to 3 carats: a median $1,518 against $1,242 at 1 carat (28 October 2026).
- Are cushion cut diamonds good for engagement rings?
- Yes. Cushion cuts are hard-wearing for daily wear and especially flattering in halo, vintage and three-stone engagement rings, where the soft outline really carries the design.
