No matter what ring setting you like, you can be certain that a cushion cut diamond will look amazing mounted on it. Yes, it’s that versatile.
The cushion cut is a timeless gemstone style. It is the intersection of classic and modern styles. It has an antique feel — that is, independent of its band — with a touch of modern elegance.
We’ve rounded up the 10 best cushion cut engagement rings we could find and added a detailed buying guide to help you through your purchase. Got questions? We’ve most likely answered them in our FAQ section.
What’s a cushion cut diamond?
The cushion cut diamond has a square-like or rectangular-like shape with rounded corners. It resembles a pillow which is the origin of the name “cushion cut”.
The cushion cut diamond dates back to the 18th century. Then, it was called the mine cut and then later the old mine cut, both names inspired by the Brazillian diamond mines. In the 19th century, it was the most popular diamond cut before the round cut outshined it. Even today, it’s still one of the most popular diamond cuts.
Originally, the cushion cut used to have 58 facets but it has now been modified so most modern cuts have 64 facets to increase its brilliance.
Pros and cons of the cushion cut
The cushion cut is a popular engagement ring cut for many reasons but it has some downsides.
Pros include:
- Versatile
- Cutting distinctions make stones unique
- Popular cut with lots of options in different stores
- Will be in style for decades
- High brilliance level
- Typically cheaper than round or princess cut of the same carat
- Durable due to its rounded corners
The cons include:
- Doesn’t give the illusion of a larger stone, especially the square-like ones
- Has different names based on the style which may confuse the buyer
- Retains colors which makes it less suited for colorless diamonds (advisable to get a color grade H or better)
- Has an open table which makes it easier to see imperfections
Celebrities with cushion-cut diamond rings
This cushion cut is popular among the rich and famous. Priyanka Chopra, an award-winning Indian actress and producer wears an estimated 4-carat cushion cut diamond engagement ring. Meghan Markle, the Duchess of Sussex, proudly wears a 3-carat cushion cut diamond sourced from Botswana.
Kate Hudson also spots an almost 10-carat light brown cushion cut diamond engagement ring with accent stones. Other celebrities with cushion cut diamond engagement rings include Gabrielle Union and Sofia Vergara.
How to choose the best cushion cut engagement ring for you
There are many details to consider when picking the right cushion cut engagement ring. However, for a more effortless shopping experience, you should understand and decide on these characteristics beforehand.
Setting
The ring setting is as important as the cut of the gemstone itself. Some settings are better suited for certain cuts and the best ones for a cushion cut stone are the following.
Halo setting
The halo setting gives the illusion of a larger diamond — a vital feature for a cushion cut stone since it tends to appear smaller. The accent stones add to the overall brilliance of the ring and much-needed texture.
Double halo setting
A double halo setting has two sets of accent stones surrounding the center stone. It also gives the illusion of a larger diamond and gives double the brilliance of a single halo setting.
Four prong
A four-prong setting features an elevated setting for the center diamond. The prongs are usually located at the 2, 4, 8, and 10 o’clock positions which adds to the squarish look of the cushion cut. It secures the center stone adequately and allows light to enter the diamond allowing for more brilliance.
Budget
Cushion cut engagement rings are available in different price ranges. Your budget will determine the type of gemstone and metal band you’ll get. With a budget of $100, you should get a nice ring with a diamond alternative like cubic zirconia.
However, if you’re looking to get a diamond ring, a budget of $2000 should get you a gorgeous ring from a reputable store. Lab diamonds will be cheaper than natural diamonds and platinum bands are typically costlier than 18K gold bands.
Gemstone
Since cushion cut holds more color than other cuts, it is a great choice for colored engagement gemstones like rubies, sapphires, emeralds, and aquamarines. Diamonds, whether colorless or colored, also look great with this cut.
Style
Faceting styles are one of the ways of classifying cushion cuts. The two faceting styles are chunky cushion cut and crushed ice cushion cut.
The chunky cushion cut is also known as the old mines cut and is classified as the classic version. It features large and clear geometric facets. It’s similar in brilliance to the round cut.
On the other hand, the crushed ice cushion cut is a modern and recently developed version of the original design. It’s also known as the modified cushion cut. It features a shortened star facet that gives the crushed ice look and its brilliance is similar to the radiant cut.
Length-to-width ratio
Ideally, cushion cut stones are square-like with length to width ratio of 1.00 to 1.05. However, for an elongated, more rectangular style, the length-to-width ratio will be about 1.25 to 1.40.
10 Best cushion-cut engagement rings worth checking out
These are our top picks for the best cushion cut engagement rings.
Elongated cushion-cut engagement ring
This Bo Dream engagement ring has cubic zirconia on a four-prong setting. Its length-to-width ratio is 1.25 which gives it a unique elongated look. It also has smaller cubic zirconia stone on its platinum-plated sterling silver paved band. It runs from size four to size 10 and is true to size.
Affordable cushion-cut engagement ring
This is a cushion cut cubic zirconia engagement ring with a halo setting. Its 18K white gold plated brass band is paved with smaller-sized cubic zirconia. It has a length-to-width ratio of 1.00 giving you the classic square-like cushion cut shape.
If you’re on a small budget, this is your best bet.
Large cushion-cut diamond ring
This James Allen ring features a 4.02-carat cushion-cut diamond on a four-prong setting. It also has six round diamonds on its platinum pave band. The diamond has a length-to-width ratio of 1.05 which gives it the typical squarish shape. The ring size runs from 3 to 9.
Halo cushion-cut engagement ring
This Blue Nile engagement ring has a twisted paved band with a cushion-cut diamond in a halo setting. The diamond has a typical square-like shape of the cushion cut and the band is available in platinum, white, yellow, and rose gold. The ring size runs from size 3 to size 10.
Solitaire cushion-cut engagement ring
This James Allen ring features a 1.01-carat diamond with a length-to-width ratio of 1.20. It’s a diamond solitaire with a four-prong setting on a twisted 18K white gold band. The ring size runs from 3 to 9.
This is a great fit for the simple and minimalist bride.
Modern cushion-cut engagement ring
This Brilliant Earth cushion cut engagement ring leans towards a more modern look. It features a 1.25-carat diamond on a four-prong setting with a side marquise diamond set on a twisted vine-like band. The band is available in platinum, white, rose, and yellow gold.
It’s a nature-inspired ring suitable for a nature-loving bride.
Three-stone cushion-cut engagement ring
This Leibish engagement ring features a cushion-cut 1.50-carat colorless diamond with round side diamonds. The center diamond has a four-prong setting. The band is available in 18K white gold and platinum. It’s a high-end ring but is one of the best cushion cut diamond rings.
Double halo cushion-cut engagement ring
This Blue Nile ring features a double halo setting that accentuates a 0.5-carat diamond. It’s set on an 18K white gold paved band. If you want a lot of sparkles on your ring, this is a good choice.
Bezel cushion-cut engagement ring
This Brilliant Earth engagement ring features a 1.25-carat diamond on an elevated bezel setting. It has a sleek band that is available in platinum, 18K white, rose, and yellow gold. The bezel setting is not the most common setting for a cushion cut but if you have an active lifestyle, it will offer the most protection to your diamond.
Colored cushion-cut engagement ring
Colorless diamonds are nice but this Leibish engagement ring spots a 2.75-carat yellow cushion-cut diamond center stone and colorless trapezoid side stones. The band is available in 18K white and yellow gold.
Frequently asked questions
Here are answers to some questions you may still have about cushion cut engagement rings.
Is a cushion cut diamond good?
Yes, it’s a good cut. It shows much of the diamond dispersion and fire. It’s also considered a timeless cut that will always be in style. It’s unique with many cutting distinctions and there’s a variety of styles to pick from.
Which is more expensive round or cushion cut diamond?
Round cut diamond is more expensive than cushion cut diamond due to the higher demand for round cut diamonds.
Do cushion cuts look small?
Yes, they look smaller than other diamond cuts because they are cut deeper.
What band looks best on a cushion cut?
A pave band looks great with a cushion cut stone for added brilliance.
Where to buy cushion cut engagement rings
Cushion-cut is a popular cut for engagement rings so there are various places you can get beautiful and unique rings at different price points.
Blue Nile
Blue Nile is an online jewelry retailer that promises lower prices than the traditional diamond store. They have a large inventory and should be one of your stops especially to compare prices and view images of cushion cut engagement rings.
James Allen
James Allen is a leading online jewelry retailer that specializes in engagement and wedding rings. They have natural and lab-created diamonds at affordable prices.
Brilliant Earth
Brilliant Earth is a jewelry company that sells rings and other jewelry featuring ethically sourced gemstones including diamonds. They have a large inventory with a wide range of diamond options to choose from, from affordable to high-end. You should be able to find one that suits your budget.
Leibish
Leibish is a leading company in the diamond retail industry with a specialization in fancy-colored diamonds. They have a large inventory of rings and should be your go-to for a colored diamond ring if you have a budget of several thousands of dollars.
Amazon
Amazon is an online service business that allows businesses to display and sell their products including jewelry. You can browse through the catalog of different businesses and find several affordable options.
The timeless gemstone cut
The classic or modern bride will be satisfied with a cushion-cut engagement ring. With plenty of options to pick from, there’s no doubt that you will find one that suits your style. It’s a winning cut worthy of your investment since it will be in style for many decades.
We have reviewed the best cushion cut engagement rings. It’s time for you to make a choice.
If you’re considering other gemstone cuts for your engagement ring, check these out:
- The 10 Best Round Cut Rose Gold Engagement Rings
- 10 Marquise Cut Engagement Rings (and How to Choose)
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