Cushion shaped diamonds have a romantic look about them unlike other fancy shape diamonds and they have lent themselves to the 'Halo' and 'micro pave' ring designs which are at present hugely popular.
Cushion cut diamonds are also sometimes referred to as "pillow Cut" diamonds. Modern cushion cuts are based on the antique style cuts, which are a combination of a round and square outline with a softened square or "pillow" shape.
Some of the most famous diamonds in the world are cushion shaped diamonds. These include the 45.52ct blue Hope Diamond, the 317.40ct Cullinan II Diamond and the 128.54ct fancy intense Tiffany Yellow.
Cushion shaped diamonds have rounded corners and larger facets to increase their brilliance. These larger facets highlight the diamond's clarity, so if you choose a diamond with a SI clarity grade, be sure to review the clarity plot on the diamond certificate.
This cut of diamond can vary in the degree of rectangular shape that they have. For a diamond that has an almost square look but elegant and classical charm a length to width ratio of 1.1 - 1.2 is best.
Cushion cut diamonds are an interesting alternative to oval shape diamonds or a modern princess cut diamond because they have the ability to display a high degree of returning light and brilliance and a sparkle which is dazzling. Cushion cut diamonds come to life, yet they still possess a dreamy quality.
By: Kirsten Katz
