Your Guide to Cushion Cut Diamond Engagement Rings

Cushion cut diamonds are always a popular choice for engagement rings for good reason. Their square or rectangle shape with rounded corners is soft and romantic and their cut shows off the diamond’s brilliance.

We love guiding guests through the cushion cut because it strikes such a beautiful balance between vintage warmth and modern sparkle. In this guide we walk you through how a cushion compares to other popular shapes, the settings that flatter it most, and the vintage looks that make it feel timeless. When you are ready to see these diamonds in person, our team is here to help at our showrooms across California, Arizona, Texas, and Washington.

The Difference Between a Cushion Cut and a Princess Cut Diamond

The easiest way to tell these two square shapes apart is at the corners. A cushion cut has softly curved corners, while a princess cut keeps sharp, angular corners for a crisp, contemporary look. Browse our full range of cushion cut engagement rings and you will notice how those rounded edges feel softer and less modern than a princess cut.

Cushion cut diamonds are also cut with larger facets than a princess cut diamond, so each shape has a different overall personality. Those bigger facets give a cushion a broad, romantic flash of light, which is one reason the shape pairs so naturally with vintage and heirloom-inspired designs.

Every ring here centers a cushion cut, which makes those rounded corners easy to read against the sharp angles of a princess cut, whatever the metal around them.

Henri Daussi 14K Rose Gold Natural Diamond Engagement Ring

• 14K rose gold from Henri Daussi, polished finish
• Cushion cut center stone, prong set
• 1 ct. tw. total, VS1 center clarity

Henri Daussi 14K Yellow Gold Natural Diamond Engagement Ring

• 14K yellow gold from Henri Daussi, polished finish
• Cushion cut center stone, prong set
• 7/8 ct. tw. total, F center color

Henri Daussi 18K White Gold Natural Diamond Engagement Ring

• 18K white gold from Henri Daussi, rhodium plated
• Cushion cut center stone, prong set
• 7/8 ct. tw. total, VS2 center clarity

Elongated Cushion Cut vs. Emerald Cut Diamond

An emerald cut has a rectangular shape with blocked, step-cut corners that give it a more geometric and often modern look. An elongated cushion keeps that flattering rectangular proportion but trades the sharp corners for softer, rounded ones, so it reads warmer and a little more romantic. If a long, graceful silhouette appeals to you, take a look at our elongated cushion cut inspiration for more on this celebrity-loved shape.

Cushion Cut Diamond in a Halo Setting or Solitaire

The setting you choose changes how a cushion cut feels on the hand. A solitaire setting focuses all of the attention on the beauty of the diamond, letting its curves and brilliance stand on their own. A cushion cut halo setting wraps the center stone in a ring of smaller diamonds that enhances the diamond and can make it appear larger.

The group below runs from a mounting you finish with your own loose stone through to complete designer rings, so you can see what the surround actually does to the same shape.

14K Yellow Gold Natural Diamond Engagement Ring Setting

• 14K yellow gold, 1.7 mm shank, polished
• Shaped for a cushion cut center stone, sold separately
• 1/5 ct. tw. of natural accent diamonds

Henri Daussi 18K White Gold Natural Diamond Engagement Ring

• 18K white gold from Henri Daussi, rhodium plated
• Cushion cut center stone, prong set, 1 ct. tw. total
• Diamond halo carried down into a diamond-set shank

Verragio 14K White Gold and 14K Yellow Gold Diamond Engagement Ring

• 14K white gold and 14K yellow gold from Verragio
• Cushion cut center stone, 1 ct. tw. total
• Two-tone construction that separates the halo from the shank

Cushion Cut Engagement Rings in Yellow Gold

Yellow gold changes what a cushion cut looks like on the hand. The warm metal deepens the stone and gives the ring a softer, older feel than white gold does, which is why a cushion set in yellow often reads as heirloom even when the design is new. If that romantic direction appeals to you, our vintage engagement rings carry it further, with milgrain detail and diamond-lined galleries.

The rings here are all set in yellow gold and run across a wide spread of carat weights, so you can see how the same warm metal carries a modest center stone and a substantial one differently.

Eternalle 14K Yellow Gold Lab-Grown Diamond Engagement Ring

• 14K yellow gold, 2.1 mm shank, polished
• Cushion cut center stone, prong set, 3 ct. tw. total
• Eternalle lab-grown diamond collection

Eternalle 14K Yellow Gold Lab-Grown Diamond Engagement Ring

• 14K yellow gold, 2.2 mm shank, polished
• Cushion cut center stone, prong set, 1 1/2 ct. tw. total
• Eternalle lab-grown diamond collection

Henri Daussi 14K Yellow Gold Natural Diamond Engagement Ring

• 14K yellow gold from Henri Daussi, polished finish
• Cushion cut center stone, prong set
• 3/4 ct. tw. total, VS1 center clarity

The Robbins Brothers Difference

A cushion is a shape you have to see moving. Its facets are broad enough that photographs flatten them, which is why nearly every guest who arrives set on one leaves having changed their mind about the proportions.

• Designer boutiques in the showroom. Henri Daussi, Verragio and our other designer partners sit together, so you can compare houses rather than browse them one website at a time.
• Compare shapes under one light. Our VIP diamond viewing rooms let you set a cushion beside a princess and an emerald cut and settle the question in a minute.
• More than 100 years of guiding couples. We have watched this shape move in and out of fashion since the 1920s, and we will tell you honestly how a given cushion is likely to age.
• Loose stones and settings sold separately. If you would rather build the ring, we will help you match a loose cushion to a mounting that fits its exact proportions.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a cushion cut diamond?

A cushion cut is a square or rectangular diamond with gently rounded corners, named for its pillow-like shape. Its larger facets give it a soft, romantic glow, and we are happy to show you the shape side by side with other cuts at any of our showrooms.

How is a cushion cut different from a princess cut or an emerald cut?

A princess cut keeps sharp, angular corners for a crisp modern look, while an emerald cut uses long step facets and blocked corners for a sleek, geometric feel. A cushion sits between them with rounded corners and broad facets that read softer and more vintage. Our diamond experts can help you compare all three in person.

What is an elongated cushion cut?

An elongated cushion stretches the classic cushion into a longer rectangular shape while keeping those soft, rounded corners. Many guests love how the added length can make the finger look slender and the stone appear larger.

What setting is best for a cushion cut diamond?

Both solitaire and halo settings flatter a cushion beautifully. A solitaire keeps all the focus on the diamond, while a halo of smaller diamonds adds sparkle and can make the center stone look bigger. We recommend trying both styles on to see which speaks to you.

Do cushion cut diamonds sparkle?

Yes, a well cut cushion has plenty of fire and brilliance thanks to its large facets, which give it a warm, glowing sparkle rather than the sharp flash of a round brilliant. Seeing one under our showroom lighting is the best way to appreciate it.

Should I choose a lab-grown or a natural cushion cut diamond?

Both are real diamonds with the same look and durability, so the choice comes down to your budget and preference. Lab-grown diamonds often let you size up for the same investment, while natural diamonds carry a billion-year history. We stock both and will lay the two side by side rather than steer you.

Can you create a custom cushion cut engagement ring?

Absolutely. Our master jeweler can design a one of a kind cushion cut ring around a loose diamond you choose, from a clean solitaire to an intricate vintage setting. Bring in your ideas and we will help shape them into a finished design.

Do I need an appointment to shop for a cushion cut ring?

Appointments let us set aside dedicated time for you, but walk-in guests are always welcome. Your ring is also protected by our lifetime warranty with complimentary cleaning, inspection, and care, so we are here long after you say yes.

Ready to see cushion cut diamonds and settings in person? Find a Robbins Brothers near you and let our team help you discover the ring that feels just right.