Cut: cushion
The engagement ring with a cushion cut
The cushion cut pairs the clean shape of a square with softly rounded corners. Large facets create a warm, broad sparkle rather than pinpoint fire, a look that's over a hundred years old and today prized above all as a romantic, vintage-leaning choice.
At émin we show you cushion-cut diamonds of different proportions side by side, from almost square to slightly rectangular, so you see which shape best fits your idea. From there we build a setting that highlights that soft character.
Why couples choose cushion
Warm, broad sparkle
The large facets of the cushion cut break light in broader flashes than a brilliant, the result reads as softer and warmer rather than pinpoint bright, especially lovely with warm metals like yellow or rose gold.
Vintage character, modern cutting
The cushion cut has a long history and automatically reads a little more romantic than modern fancy cuts, without feeling dated. It pairs beautifully with halo settings and delicate bands.
Soft edges instead of sharp corners
The rounded corners are less prone to chipping than square cuts with sharp edges, which makes the cushion cut comfortable for everyday wear.
What we look for in a cushion cut
With cushion cuts there's a rough distinction between a classic cut with large, clearly visible facets and a modified cut with more, smaller facets for stronger sparkle. Both have their own charm, we show you both variants directly side by side, so you see the difference instead of just reading about it.
The length-to-width ratio also matters: almost square looks compact and classic, a slightly rectangular cushion looks more elongated. Because the large facets can show inclusions a bit more clearly, we pay particular attention to clean clarity when choosing the stone.
Cushion compared to the round brilliant
Both cuts sparkle, but very differently. This overview shows the key differences at a glance.
| Feature | Cushion | Round brilliant |
|---|---|---|
| Sparkle | Soft, warm sparkle from large facets | Strong, pinpoint sparkle |
| Size per carat | Looks similar or a little bigger depending on proportion | Looks classically round, compact |
| Price level | Usually a little cheaper than round brilliant at the same carat | Usually pricier, due to more rough loss when cutting |
| Visible inclusions | Large facets show inclusions a bit more, VS clarity or better recommended | Forgives small inclusions well |
| Watch for | Rounded corners, rarely a bow-tie with good proportions | No bow-tie, no corners |
Guidance based on our experience at the atelier, not a blanket price promise. We discuss the exact comparison for your chosen stone in person.
Models with a cushion cut
These rings from our collection carry a cushion-cut diamond. We adjust metal, stone size and setting for you.
What a cushion-cut engagement ring costs
Guide prices so you can get your bearings in advance. We always discuss the exact price for your stone in person.
Price depends on the work involved. We calculate openly, no surprises.
Guide prices, as of 2026, incl. VAT. The exact price depends on stone, metal and work.
Frequently asked questions
Both are square to rectangular, but the cushion cut has softly rounded corners instead of sharp edges, plus larger facets for a warmer, broader sparkle. The princess cut, by contrast, looks stricter and more angular, with a stronger, more geometric fire. We show you both looks directly side by side so you see which fits you.
The classic cushion cut has large, clearly visible facets and a calm, broad sparkle. The modified cushion cut has more, smaller facets and sparkles more livelily, closer to a brilliant. Both variants have their own character, we show you stones of both types directly at the atelier.
Yes, somewhat. The large facets of the cushion cut act like small windows into the stone and can make inclusions more visible than in a brilliant. We therefore recommend at least VS2 clarity, especially for larger stones, and personally check every stone under a loupe before you decide.
A halo suits it particularly well because it echoes the rounded character of the cushion cut and makes the stone look bigger. A simple four-prong solitaire also flatters the soft shape nicely. We show you renderings of several settings before any work begins.
A complete solitaire with a 1 ct lab-grown diamond in a classic prong setting, in 18k gold or platinum (14k gold available on request), starts from CHF 1'900. At the same carat weight, a cushion cut usually costs a little less than a comparable round brilliant, because less rough material is lost when cutting. Larger stones, a halo or a pavé band cost more, and we calculate that openly with you.
Yes, we work by appointment only, in person in Zurich District 4 or by video. That way we can show you several cushion-cut stones of different proportions and faceting side by side, without other clients having to wait. Booking online takes just a few minutes.
Quick enquiry
Ready for your cushion-cut engagement ring?
Send us a short message about what you're looking for. We'll give you honest advice on proportion, size and budget and suggest an appointment, in Zurich or by video.