One of the biggest misconceptions about the fancy cushion cut diamond is that it is exclusively a modern cut, when in reality nothing could be further from the truth. The allure of cushion cut diamonds actually dates back several centuries. About 200 years ago, cushion cut diamonds were considered the most popular shape of diamond in the world. The cushion cut was incredibly popular throughout the nineteenth century and, in recent years, it has made a comeback in popularity, ranking third overall behind the brilliant round and the princess cut. If you look to the rich and famous, there has recently been a huge increase in celebrity engagement rings with a large cushion cut diamond, typically surrounded by pave halo settings.
Hundreds of years ago, when cushion cut diamonds first started being cut, they were referred to as “old miner’s cuts,” and the facet cuts were very inconsistent overall. The theory as to why diamonds were originally cut in this shape is that the technology of the time was very primitive and diamonds were hand cut. Only in more recent times has diamond cutting become advanced enough that diamonds can now be cut perfectly round, making brilliant round diamonds more popular. To get an idea of what a cushion cut diamond looks like, we refer to ShaneCo.com which states, “a cushion cut diamond is a marriage between a round and princess cut, ranging from square to rectangular with rounded corners.” This attractive combination of a square cut diamond with rounded corners gives the diamond a “pillow” or “cushion-like” appearance, falling somewhere between a rectangle and an oval diamond. Cushion cuts typically have larger facets to increase their brilliance.
One of the reasons cushion cut diamonds appeal to today’s diamond shoppers is they like the various cut and size options that are available. Cushion cuts can come with varying facet alignments and cut ratios, which offer many possibilities when it comes to appearance. The actual shape of a modern cushion cut diamond can range from an equal length-to-width ratio to a more rectangular shape, with up to a 1.0 to 1.30 length-to-width ratio possibility.
If you are in the market for a cushion cut diamond, it’s important that you understand the Four Cs of diamond grading. However, when selecting your favorite cushion cut diamond (or any diamond), the most important thing is finding a diamond that is visually appealing to you and fits within your budget.
Stop by your local Shane Co. store and let one of the diamond experts educate you on the cushion cut and other diamond shapes.
