Essential Tips for Buying Cushion Cut Diamonds: What Some Jewelers Don’t Tell You
Cushion cut diamonds have been a favorite for over two centuries, blending vintage romance with modern sophistication. Their soft, pillow-like shape and mesmerizing sparkle make them a sought-after choice for engagement rings and fine jewelry.
While many jewelers praise their beauty and affordability, some overlook key details that matter in your decision. Whether it's size illusions, hidden markups, or unique variations in sparkle, knowing these essential tips for buying cushion cut diamonds can help you make a more informed choice—and ensure you get the best value for your investment.
At 47 Jewelry, we take pride in offering expertly sourced antique diamonds, high-quality cushion cut diamonds, and luxury designer jewelry that goes beyond the surface. For decades, we've guided customers to their perfect diamond from our storefront in the heart of New York’s Diamond District.
As the world’s largest antique diamond dealer, we believe transparency is key. That’s why we’re revealing essential tips for buying cushion cut diamonds—so you can shop with confidence.
1. Cushion Cut Diamonds Can Appear Smaller Than Other Shapes of the Same Carat Weight
💎 What Some Jewelers Don’t Tell You: A 1-carat cushion cut diamond ring will often look smaller than a 1-carat round, oval, or princess cut diamond ring. This is because cushion cuts hold more of their weight in the depth of the stone rather than across the surface.
According to the Gemological Institute of America (GIA), a diamond's "spread" (its surface area) plays a major role in how large it appears. Because cushion cuts tend to be deeper, they don’t have the same edge-to-edge diameter as rounds, making them look smaller than expected at the same carat weight.
💡 Our Tip: To maximize size appearance, look for shallower cushion cut diamonds with a table percentage between 58%-64%. At 47 Jewelry, we specialize in antique cushion cut diamonds that retain brilliance while offering a wider spread, ensuring your diamond looks larger without sacrificing beauty.
2. Not All Cushion Cut Diamonds Have the Same Sparkle—Facet Patterns Matter
💎 What Some Jewelers Don’t Tell You: Two cushion cut diamond rings can look completely different depending on their facet pattern. Standard cushion cuts produce larger, more defined flashes of light, while modified cuts create a more chaotic, dazzling sparkle.
- Standard Cushion Cut: Larger, well-defined facets that create bold flashes of light, ideal for vintage lovers.
- Modified Cushion Cut: Extra facets that create a "crushed ice" effect, similar to radiant cuts.
💡 Our Tip: If you love a vintage aesthetic, go for a standard cushion cut diamond ring—these are most commonly found in antique and estate jewelry, which we specialize in at 47 Jewelry. For modern brilliance, opt for the modified cushion cut. Not sure which is best for you? Our diamond experts can guide you through both options.
3. Cushion Cuts Are Often Marked Up More Than You Think
💎 What Some Jewelers Don’t Tell You: Cushion-cut diamonds are often priced lower per carat than round diamonds due to differences in demand and cutting efficiency. However, some retailers apply substantial markups, especially when these diamonds are paired with designer settings.
While exact markup percentages vary, diamond prices can go well above wholesale rates, particularly for branded and custom-designed pieces.
💡 Our Tip: At 47 Jewelry, we go beyond retail—we are direct diamond dealers, sourcing high-quality diamonds in bulk from around the world. This allows us to offer exceptional cushion-cut diamonds without unnecessary markups, ensuring you get both luxury and value.
4. Cushion Cut Diamonds Show More Color Than Round Diamonds
💎 What Some Jewelers Don’t Tell You: Due to their large facets, cushion cuts retain more color, but their brilliance and dispersion help to hide color.
As a result, a J or K color cushion cut diamond may appear noticeably warmer compared to a round diamond of the same grade. Larger facets allow more color to be visible, especially in lower color grades.
💡 Our Tip: To maintain a crisp white appearance, opt for H color or higher. If you prefer a warmer, antique look, a lower color cushion cut set in yellow or rose gold will give a rich, vintage feel. At 47 Jewelry, we offer both natural and lab-grown cushion cut diamonds in a variety of color grades to suit your style.
5. GIA Doesn’t Give Cushion Cuts an Official Cut Grade
💎 What Some Jewelers Don’t Tell You: Unlike round diamonds, GIA does not provide a standard cut grade for cushion cut diamonds, making it harder for buyers to determine proportions and brilliance.
While cut grades exist for round diamonds, fancy shapes like cushion cuts must be evaluated based on their table percentage, depth percentage, symmetry, and overall proportions instead.
💡 Our Tip: Don’t rely only on certification—check ideal cushion cut diamond proportions:
- Depth percentage: Typically, between 61% and 68% for a well-balanced appearance.
- Table percentage: Often ranges from 57% to 65% for good light return.
- Polish & Symmetry: Preferably Very Good to Excellent.
- Length-to-width ratio: Classic cushion cuts are usually around 1.00 to 1.10, while elongated cushions are 1.15 or greater.
At 47 Jewelry, we carefully inspect each cushion cut diamond to ensure it meets premium light performance standards, helping you select a truly brilliant stone.
6. Cushion Cut Shapes Vary More Than Expected
💎 What Some Jewelers Don’t Tell You: Cushion cut diamonds come in square and elongated shapes, and many retailers fail to disclose this upfront, leaving buyers surprised when they receive a stone that looks different from what they expected.
Cushion cut diamonds can have length-to-width ratios ranging from 1:1 (perfect square) to 1:1.3+ (rectangular shape). This variance significantly impacts the diamond's overall appearance, especially when set in different styles.
💡 Our Tip: Always check the length-to-width ratio before purchasing:
- 1:1 = Square Cushion Cut (classic vintage look)
- 1:1.1 to 1:1.2 = Slightly Elongated (modern elegance)
- 1:1.3+ = Rectangular Cushion Cut (unique and distinctive)
An ideal length to width ratio of a cushion cut diamond is 1.0 - 1.08, offering the most proportional and elegant appearance for most buyers. At 47 Jewelry, we provide detailed specifications for all our cushion cut diamonds, ensuring you know exactly what you're getting.
7. Antique Cushion Cut Diamonds Are a Hidden Treasure
💎 What Some Jewelers Don’t Tell You: Most modern cushion cuts are optimized for maximum brilliance, but antique cushion cut diamonds (Old Mine Cuts) have a romantic, hand-cut charm that is rare and valuable.
According to the GIA’s information on historical diamond cuts, antique cushion cuts, especially Old Mine Cut diamonds, feature larger facets, deeper pavilions, and softer edges, giving them a distinctive glow that modern machine-cut stones can’t replicate.
💡 Our Tip: If you love true vintage elegance, explore our collection of antique cushion cut diamonds such as old mine cut diamonds—each is a one-of-a-kind treasure, exclusively sourced by 47 Jewelry.
8. Cushion Cuts Are More Durable Than Many Other Fancy Shapes
💎 What Some Jewelers Don’t Tell You: The rounded edges of cushion cut diamond rings make them less prone to chipping compared to princess or pear cuts.
Diamonds with pointed edges (such as princess cuts) are more susceptible to chipping, whereas the rounded shape of a cushion cut distributes impact more evenly and is less susceptible to chipping, making it more durable.
💡 Our Tip: If durability is a priority, consider a bezel or half-bezel setting—we offer both modern and vintage-inspired settings at 47 Jewelry to protect your investment.
9. The Right Setting Can Make a Cushion Cut Look Bigger (or Smaller!)
💎 What Some Jewelers Don’t Tell You: The right setting can dramatically enhance the appearance of your cushion cut diamond. Halo settings can make a diamond appear up larger, while thick bezel settings can make it look smaller.
💡 Our Tip: The best settings for a larger look are Halo setting (adds extra sparkle & size illusion), vintage settings, and thin bands (makes the diamond appear larger by contrast). At 47 Jewelry, we offer a range of exquisite designer settings that maximize the beauty of your cushion cut diamond ring while preserving its brilliance.
10. Cushion Cut Diamonds Are Marketed as "Affordable" – But Not Always in the Best Way
💎 What Some Jewelers Don’t Tell You: While cushion cuts are often advertised as a budget-friendly alternative to round diamonds, some jewelers push lower-quality stones that appear inexpensive but compromise on cut, depth, and brilliance.
Poorly cut cushion diamonds—often with depths exceeding 70%—hold more carat weight in the base rather than the visible surface, meaning you pay for weight you can’t see.
💡 Our Tip: Avoid overly deep cushion cuts—if depth is above 70%, the diamond hides weight instead of size. For optimal brilliance and a more substantial visible size, it's recommended to choose cushion cut diamonds with depth percentages between 61% and 68%. At 47 Jewelry, we source only high-quality cushion cut diamonds that balance brilliance, proportion, and elegance—no hidden flaws, just true beauty.
Why Choose Your Cushion Cut Diamond from 47 Jewelry?
At 47 Jewelry, we pride ourselves on being more than just a retailer—we are a trusted diamond dealer with a legacy of quality and transparency. Located in New York’s Diamond District, we offer an unparalleled selection of cushion cut diamonds, antique cushion cut diamond rings, and luxury designer jewelry.
If you’re searching for the perfect cushion cut diamond ring, let us help you find a piece that captures your heart and lasts a lifetime. Explore our collection of loose diamonds online or visit us in person to experience expertly crafted, jeweler-selected cushion cut diamonds from 47 Jewelry.