The Elegance of Cushion Cut Diamonds
Are you looking for the stunning elegance of round diamonds without the high price tag? Cushion-cut diamonds are the second most popular cut after round diamonds. They provide a lot of brilliance and beauty for a much lower price than round diamonds. For those on a budget, cushion-cut diamonds might be the best choice to get the style you want at the price you need.
However, there are a few differences between round diamonds and cushion cuts. If you're wondering whether cushion-cut diamonds will be the best fit for your needs and preferences, we'll go into more detail about the unique specifications of this type of cut. We'll also dive deeper into the history of cushion cuts as well as popular settings to pair with them. Plus, we'll go over some of the most common occasions to give someone a cushion cut diamond so you can feel confident about your jewelry decision.
What Are Cushion Cut Diamonds?
The square-shaped diamond with beveled edges is known as the cushion-cut diamond. With pillowy edges, you won't have to worry too much about damage, as the rounded edges make this a durable stone choice. The cushion cut is one of the most brilliant diamond cuts available, making it very popular among consumers. It also has a lot of fire, making it bright and sparkling in the sunlight.
While this type of cut is beautiful and popular, you should be aware of some concerns before purchasing one. In contrast to round diamonds, you'll need to be more careful when picking out color and clarity grades. The cushion cut has an open table, which can show imperfections more easily.
Additionally, cushion cuts tend to retain color well. So, if you're looking for a fancy color, like yellow or pink, a cushion cut is a great choice. However, if you're looking for a clear diamond, tints of yellow will show up more visibly. While you can often opt for lower grades in clarity and color with round diamonds without sacrificing visible appeal, for cushion cuts, you might need to budget more for higher grades in these categories.
What Is the History of Cushion Cut Diamonds?
Before round diamonds took over as the most popular and common diamond cut, the Old Mine cut dominated the scene. It was a popular type of cut because miners were able to use much of the rough stone, which translates to higher carat weight. From the 1700s to the early 1900s, the Old Mine cut was the most popular style throughout this time period.
While today's standards wouldn't be impressed by the Old Mine cut's brilliance, at the time it was popular, it was one of the most beautiful cuts available. Eventually, the Old Mine cut evolved into the modern cushion cut. Thanks to modern technology, methods, and understanding of diamonds and the cutting process, there is a lot more symmetry, sparkle, and overall beauty in newer cuts.
You'll notice quite a few similarities between the Old Mine cut and the cushion cut as well as some stark differences. One of the biggest differences has to do with brilliance. The Old Mine cut typically has far fewer facets than the cushion cut, which means that the cushion cut has a lot more sparkle.
Why Choose a Cushion Cut Diamond?
When it comes to picking out a diamond, you probably want to make sure that it's the right stone for you. Personal taste and budget are huge factors in the decision-making process, which is why you may choose a diamond that isn't the typical brilliant round cut. Cushion-cut diamonds are excellent alternatives to round diamonds, as they typically have a lot of brilliance and fire.
Cushion cuts are also versatile and durable types of cuts. They can be paired with a variety of settings without losing any of the diamond's natural elegance. Whether you're looking for a modern, minimalistic look or you would like to buy a romantic and vintage-inspired ring, a cushion-cut diamond will look perfect.
Many people also choose to go with a cushion-cut diamond because of the price. It's a beautiful and brilliant diamond, but it costs a lot less than the most popular option–the round diamond. If you want to save money but don't want to give up style or elegance, the cushion cut is the obvious choice. However, because it's not the most popular option, you may have a harder time finding the exact cushion-cut diamond you want. Round diamonds take up a significant portion of the market, so you might have to put in a little extra time and effort to pick out the perfect cushion-cut diamond.
What to Look for in Cushion Cut Diamonds?
As you begin shopping for diamonds, you may wonder what you should look for specifically in cushion-cut diamonds. There are a few pros and cons of cushion-cut diamonds, but with a bit of tenacity, you should be able to find a diamond that fits your needs and preferences.
You should give careful thought to the 4Cs when picking out cushion-cut diamonds. Cushion cuts tend to retain color well, so you'll need to look closely at a diamond's color to make sure that it doesn't have any visible yellow tints. Generally, you'll want to go with a higher-grade color for this type of cut because it shows color so easily.
Additionally, you'll also need to pay attention to the clarity of a particular diamond. Since the table is larger than a round diamond, you may notice issues of clarity more easily than with round diamonds.
Budget-Friendly Options
Although you may not be able to manipulate the grades of the 4Cs as much as round diamonds, there are still ways to offset the cost. You can choose a rectangular shape over a square cushion cut if you want a diamond to appear as if it has a larger surface area. With this option, you'll be able to choose a diamond with the same carat weight as a square shape, but it will appear larger. You'll be able to save money instead of opting for a bigger square cut. However, rectangular cushion cut diamonds are less common, therefore you may have trouble finding one.
Another way to offset the cost of a cushion-cut diamond is to look at settings that make the diamond appear larger. If you use a setting that has multiple smaller diamonds or gemstones surrounding the center stone, it will appear larger and have more sparkle. By going with a setting option like this, you'll be able to deliberately purchase a smaller center stone. Smaller diamonds cost significantly less than increasing the size of the center stone. So by opting for this type of setting, you can save money.
What Settings Look Best With Cushion Cut Diamonds?
Cushion-cut diamonds are popular due to their beauty, but they're also valued for their versatility and durability. They can be fit into a variety of different styles and settings, so you'll be able to pick out the perfect ring. They tend to have a romantic and vintage charm that gives them a distinct look, but they can work with more modern settings as well. Whatever setting style you may prefer, cushion cuts can work as the center stone.
Solitaire Setting
One of the most popular settings for cushion-cut diamonds is the solitaire setting. Because of the brilliance and sparkle, many people prefer to let the spotlight shine solely on a single diamond. You may also be able to afford a slightly bigger cushion-cut diamond compared to a round-cut, so you may not want or need extra sparkle from more elaborate settings.
Vintage Settings
As an evolution of the Old Miner's cut, the cushion cut has a vintage feel to it. This type of cut looks beautiful and romantic when paired with a vintage-style setting. Vintage styles vary widely depending on the time period look you're after, but typically they are more ornate than modern styles.
Settings such as filigree have thin strands of metal that have been twisted into an ornate design around the band. Cluster settings are also highly decorative and have multiple gemstones clustered around the center stone. This design resembles a flower, and many brides today still love this antique-looking style.
Halo Setting
If you're looking for a way to maximize the size of the diamond, halo settings are popular. With this option, the center diamond is encircled with smaller diamonds. With this bit of extra sparkle around the edges, your center stone will seem noticeably bigger. If you're on a budget, but highly value surface area and the size of a diamond, you should consider going with a halo setting and a smaller center stone. Smaller diamonds will typically cost a lot less than opting for a larger center stone.
Pave Setting
Another affordable option to add more sparkle and brilliance without increasing the size of the center stone is to go with a pave setting. With this option, you'll have smaller diamonds set into the band to create the illusion of a bigger stone. This can be a great choice if you are working with a tight budget.
When Might You Want to Give a Cushion Cut Diamond?
There are many different occasions to give someone a diamond. Whether you're trying to find the right engagement ring to surprise your partner or you want to gift a loved one a beautiful piece of jewelry, a cushion diamond is a good choice due to its beauty, affordability, and versatility. This type of cut works with a variety of styles, plus its sparkle and brilliance rival the more expensive round diamond. If you're on the hunt for a beautiful diamond within your price range, you should consider the cushion cut for whatever occasion you may have.
Engagement Rings
One of the most common times you might gift someone a cushion cut diamond is during a proposal. Because of its sparkle, brilliance, and beauty, the cushion-cut diamond stands out as a center stone, making it perfect for an engagement ring.
Anniversary Rings
Many couples may gift an anniversary ring to each other to mark a special milestone in their relationship. Eternity bands are one of the most common anniversary ring gifts, as you can stack them with the engagement ring and wedding band without drawing too much attention. Cushion-cut diamonds are often used in eternity bands, as the small diamonds set around the band offer quite a bit of sparkle.
Birthday Gifts
You may decide to gift a loved one diamonds as a birthday gift. Cushion-cut diamonds look great in bracelets and earrings. Because of their rounded edges, they are particularly great in a bracelet, as they're durable and less likely to get damaged compared to other types of cuts. They also work great as stud earrings due to their brilliance and sparkle.
Cushion cuts have evolved over time from the Old Miner's cut to the modern brilliant diamond you'll encounter at jewelry stores today. Cushion cuts have remained the second-most popular type of cut after round diamonds due to their brilliance, versatility, and practicality. If you're looking for a budget-friendly diamond cut option that doesn't sacrifice beauty, you'll appreciate the cushion cut. It's perfect to give as an engagement ring. Whether you're looking for a romantic, vintage style or a modern, bold look, a cushion cut can work with a variety of settings. But it also works with other types of jewelry and occasions too, making it one of the most versatile and practical diamond options. We have a large selection of diamonds, including the cushion cut, if you're ready to start customizing the perfect diamond ring.