Similar to other soft-sided fancy shapes, it’s not easy to evaluate cushion-cut engagement rings by their numbers alone. There are specific fundamental rules to bear in mind, though.
The Four C’s
Over the past ten years, the traditional diamond shape cushion cut has grown in favor. It looks beautiful in both vintage-style rings and more modern engagement ring designs. Unlike brilliant round cuts, the cushion cut has no vulnerable points so you can set it in more secure settings, like a traditional four-prong setting. As with all diamonds, it is essential to focus on the 4 C’s: color, clarity, cut, and carat weight when selecting your stone. These are the primary determinants of a diamond’s value and appearance. Opt for an H or better grade for color to ensure you get a white diamond with good light performance. Remember that the cushion cut is more reminiscent of old European styles, which are generally a little warmer in hue than D-F color grades. When it comes to clarity, aim for VS2 or higher to find a well-cut cushion that is eye clean. However, this is not a hard and fast rule since some SI1 cushion diamonds can also look very clean to the naked eye. If you’re shopping online, use interactive videos to evaluate a diamond’s clarity and find the perfect one for your needs. As for carat weight, consider choosing a smaller stone if you want your ring to look more elegant and affordable. A 1ct cushion diamond will cost significantly less than a comparable 1ct round brilliant cut diamond, even at the highest quality.
Symmetry
For starters, symmetry is essential. The fewer flaws there are in a diamond, the more it sparkles. The other significant parameter is the length-to-width ratio. Square-shaped cushion cuts should have L/W ratios of 1.00 to 1.05, while rectangular shapes should be slight — but not overly — elongated. Anything much more elongated and the stone will look too square to be a square. Finally, color and clarity are also important. In general, cushion cut diamonds with color grades down to VS2 will be eye-clean. However, Anything below that will require careful review to ensure the imperfections won’t be visible in the ring setting. Whenever possible, select a retailer that offers high-quality, magnified pictures of their inventory so you can see the diamond in detail before you buy it. A halo is a popular way for those who appreciate the beauty of cushion cut engagement rings to give their jewelry a little extra shine. These are beautiful and can highlight the jewelry, but cushion engagement rings with micro pave or scallop settings are gorgeous for those who prefer to keep things simple.
Length-to-Width Ratio
A cushion-cut diamond with a higher length-to-width ratio will appear more significant than one with a lower ratio. However, this is a relatively easy and fast rule as other factors like the depth and table percentage also affect how big or small a cushion-cut diamond appears. Like other fancy shapes, cushion-cut diamonds come in different length-to-width ratios, affecting how the diamond looks face-up. For example, a diamond with a long-to-width ratio below 1.05 will appear square, while a longer-to-width ratio of 1.10 or more will appear more elongated. It is because a diamond with a longer-to-width ratio has fewer facets, which reduces its brilliance and color transparency. Buying cushion cut diamonds with a high-quality facet pattern and an excellent depth-to-table percentage is essential. It is also worth mentioning that, unlike other diamond cuts, the cushion cut doesn’t perform well at masking inclusions. It is because of the softer and more rounded corners. However, you can save money on a cushion-cut diamond by opting for an H-color grade. It will be cheaper than a D-F diamond but won’t be as good at concealing inclusions.
The depth and Table Percentage
With cushions (like many other soft-sided fancy shapes), there’s a lot of variation regarding cut parameters. There are traditional cushions with fewer but larger facets and modern modified cushion brilliants with as many or more aspects as a brilliant round diamond. Some of these differences are slight, while others are significant and may affect how much the diamond sparkles. When shopping for a cushion diamond, you’ll want to pay particular attention to the length-to-width ratio and depth. These two elements have a significant impact on how the diamond sparkles. A cushion with a proper L/W ratio will look proportional to the body of the diamond, and this will help it appear large when viewed from above. As for depth, you’ll want to choose a stone with a deep percentage that’s reasonable. Too little depth will make a cushion look too flat, and too much depth can cause the diamond to lose brilliance. Clarity is another significant consideration when shopping for a cushion diamond, as this diamond shape hides inclusions pretty well. However, it would help if you were sure that the clarity grade is eye-clean, as a visible inclusion will detract from the beauty of your diamond. In most cases, VS2 and SI1 clarity grades will be sufficient for cushion cuts.