Cushion Diamond Engagement Ring: The Complete Guide

The cushion diamond (or cushion cut) is a square or rectangle with rounded corners, like a small pillow. Descended from antique cuts, it has a romantic, vintage charm and generous sparkle. It is a beautiful alternative to the round for an engagement ring. In this guide: how to choose a cushion diamond (shape, faceting, color), what size to expect by carat, which setting and which wedding band, and how much a cushion diamond ring costs. All our rings feature IGI- or GIA-certified lab-grown diamonds, in 18k gold or platinum, and can be tried on in our 10 showrooms in France.

Contents
Why this diamond · Size and carat: the chart · What to check · Compare shapes · Which setting · Which metal · Which wedding band · Price · Frequently asked questions

Why choose a cushion diamond?

• It has vintage charm. Its shape recalls the hand-cut antique diamonds found in family heirloom rings.
• It sparkles generously. Its large facets return broad, lively flashes of light, especially visible by candlelight.
• It is gentle for everyday wear. Its rounded corners don’t catch and hold up well to knocks.
• It is stunning in a halo. Surrounded by small diamonds, the cushion takes on the look of an antique jewel and appears larger.
• It comes square or elongated. Square for a classic style, slightly rectangular to slim the finger.

Cushion diamond: size, carat and price

Carat measures weight, not size. The chart below gives the typical dimensions of a square cushion diamond (length-to-width ratio of about 1.05), along with the price of our Montaigne Cushion solitaire in 18k gold, for each of our three diamond qualities.

The cushion is a fairly deep cut: at the same weight, it looks slightly smaller than a round. A halo compensates for this very well. So be sure to compare dimensions, not just carats.

Choosing your cushion diamond: 5 things to check

1. Square or elongated

At around 1.00 to 1.05, the cushion is square, the most classic version. Between 1.10 and 1.25, it becomes slightly rectangular and slims the finger. The ratio is calculated by dividing the length by the width, both listed on the certificate.

2. The faceting style

There are two ways to cut a cushion: with large facets that are crisp and give broad flashes of light (the older style), or with more numerous facets, which give a fine sparkle often compared to crushed ice. The certificate does not distinguish between them: you choose by looking at the stone.

3. Color

A cushion retains color slightly more than a round. In white gold or platinum, choose F or D if you want an icy white; an H color is still an excellent choice, especially in yellow or rose gold, which warm the stone. We offer three qualities: H/VS2, F/VS1 and D/VVS1.

4. Clarity

A cushion’s facets hide small inclusions well: a clarity of VS2 is eye-clean.

5. Depth

A cushion that is too deep carries its weight below the surface and looks small for its carat weight. Check the dimensions on the certificate: at 1 carat, a well-cut square cushion measures about 5.8 mm per side. To read a certificate in detail, see our article on lab-grown diamond certification.

Cushion or princess?

Both are square, but their characters are opposite. The princess has sharp corners and a modern, graphic style; the cushion has rounded corners and a soft, vintage look. Compared with the round, the cushion sparkles slightly less but has more character. At Laveran, all our Montaigne solitaires are the same price for the same carat weight and quality, whatever the shape. Here is how the cushion compares:

To learn more, read our guide which diamond shape to choose for an engagement ring, or which ring to choose for your hand shape.

Which setting for a cushion diamond?

• The solitaire showcases the cushion shape, held by four prongs: this is the Montaigne Cushion, from €880.
• The pavé band adds diamonds along the band: this is the Vendôme Cushion, from €1,280.
• The halo, the signature setting for a cushion, surrounds it with small diamonds for an antique-jewel effect: this is the Odéon Cushion, from €1,480.
• The double halo adds a second ring of diamonds for maximum sparkle: this is the Odéon Double Halo Cushion, from €1,580.

Yellow, white or rose gold, or platinum?

All our rings are available in 18k yellow, white or rose gold, and in 950 platinum. Yellow gold and rose gold accentuate the cushion’s vintage charm; white gold and platinum give it an icier brilliance, especially with a halo. Platinum is the densest and most durable of the four. For a full comparison, see the differences between yellow, rose and white gold.

Which wedding band with a cushion ring?

A cushion pairs beautifully with a straight wedding band set with round diamonds, which echoes its sparkle. For a refined set, the Montaigne Round Diamond Wedding Band goes all the way around the finger; a slimmer half-eternity band leaves the spotlight on the ring. To know which order to wear them in, see in what order to wear your engagement ring and wedding band.

And in color?

The cushion is one of the most beautiful shapes for a colored diamond. Our Montaigne Cushion solitaire is available with a blue, pink or yellow diamond, an alternative to sapphire with the hardness of diamond. To learn more, read our article on colored lab-grown diamonds.

How much does a cushion diamond ring cost?

At Laveran, a cushion solitaire starts at €880 and the 1-carat solitaire is available from €1,744, with an IGI or GIA certificate. The price depends on four things: carat weight, diamond quality (H/VS2, F/VS1 or D/VVS1), the setting and the metal. The chart above gives the breakdown carat by carat.

A lab-grown diamond costs significantly less than a mined diamond of the same size and quality, which often means you can choose a larger carat weight for the same budget. To learn more: how much a lab-grown diamond costs, the 1-carat lab-grown diamond and the average price of an engagement ring. Our diamond guide also covers each of the 4Cs in detail.

How does buying from Laveran work?

1. You book an appointment in one of our 10 showrooms in France or by video call. The appointment is free, with no obligation.
2. You compare stones and settings. An advisor shows you several cushion diamonds, you try them on, and your ring size is taken with a professional ring sizer.
3. We make your ring in your size, in 18k gold or platinum, with the diamond you chose.
4. You receive your ring with the stone’s IGI or GIA certificate, whose number is laser-inscribed on the diamond.

Frequently asked questions

How big is a 1-carat cushion diamond?

About 5.8 × 5.6 mm for a square cushion. An elongated cushion will be a little longer and narrower. The exact measurements are listed on the certificate.

Does a cushion diamond look smaller than a round?

Slightly, because it is a deeper cut. A halo compensates for this very well and even makes it look larger.

Cushion or princess?

The princess has sharp corners and a modern style; the cushion has rounded corners and a vintage look. The cushion is also gentler for everyday wear.

Which color should I choose for a cushion diamond?

At least H, which looks white to the eye in yellow or rose gold. In white gold or platinum, F or D give an icier white.

What is the “crushed ice” effect?

It is the look of a cushion cut with many facets: it sparkles finely, in small flashes. A cushion with large facets, by contrast, gives broad, crisp flashes.

How much does a 1-carat cushion diamond solitaire cost?

At Laveran, €1,744 in H/VS2 quality, €2,096 in F/VS1 and €2,360 in D/VVS1, in 18k gold, with an IGI or GIA certificate.

Is a lab-grown diamond a real diamond?

Yes. It is pure carbon, with a hardness of 10 and the same optical properties as a mined diamond; only its origin differs. Each stone is IGI- or GIA-certified, with its number laser-inscribed.

Can I see the rings before buying?

Yes, in one of our 10 showrooms in France, by appointment only and with no obligation, or by video call. Each ring is then made in your size.

Other diamond shapes: round · oval · princess · pear · marquise · emerald cut

Also discover: all our engagement rings · our diamond wedding bands · how to measure your ring size · caring for lab-grown diamond jewelry