Cushion Cut Diamonds

Crushed ice means many small facets that scatter light into a glittering, watery shimmer. Chunky, sometimes called an antique cushion, means fewer and larger facets returning broad, distinct flashes. Neither is better graded; they are different looks, and the difference is far more visible in person than on a report.

They tend to hold color rather than hide it, which is why cushions are so often chosen for fancy color diamonds — the shape concentrates the body color and makes it read more strongly. In a white diamond the same property means a warm tint shows more readily than it would in a round.

Around 1.00 to 1.05 reads as square. From about 1.15 upward it reads as a rectangle. Between those it is a matter of preference, and both are common.

Generally yes. A round brilliant carries a premium because of the rough lost in cutting it, so a cushion of the same weight and grades usually costs less. The saving is real, not a compromise in quality.

Crushed-ice cushions are very forgiving and often hide SI inclusions entirely. Chunky, larger-faceted cushions are less so — their open facets behave a little more like a step cut, so VS2 or better is the safer choice there.

Particularly well. The rounded corners sit naturally inside a halo, and the surrounding stones exaggerate the cushion's soft shimmer rather than fighting it. Double halos are a common choice for vintage-inspired cushion rings.