Must-Know Tips for Cushion Cut Diamond Stud Earrings 

A cushion cut diamond is a fantastic choice that has gained popularity in the last decade. They are especially popular for halo settings, color, clarity, and cut. In this article, you will find a few tips for cushion cut diamond studs. Cushion cuts are one of the worst shapes for retaining color. If you’re shopping for a cushion cut diamond, look for an H color or better. 

For clarity, it’s best to go for SI2 or SI1 for optimal value. However, because cushion cuts have a large open table, it’s challenging to find a clean eye SI2. It means you might need to compromise and pay a little extra if you’re looking for a higher clarity stone. As for the cut, look for a depth and depth of under 70% and symmetry that’s Good, Very Good, or Excellent. 

WHAT IS A CUSHION-CUT DIAMOND?

A cushion cut diamond combines a more modern and round brilliant-cut pattern diamond with a classic old miner diamond cut. The shape of this diamond is usually soft square or even rectangular, with curved edges.

People often purchase cushion-cut diamonds for stud earrings and engagement rings. They’re also commonly used in some fashion pieces. The cost of a cushion cut diamond is often much lower than that of a round brilliant diamond.

Also Read: Know Fantastic Fashion Facts About Diamond Stud Earrings

CUSHION CUT DIAMONDS EARRINGS – PROS & CONS

Pros

• Rising in popularity
• High level of brilliance
• Unique shape for customization
• Very durable because of rounded edges
• Combines classic fashion with modern flair
• Less expensive per carat than Round Cut diamonds

Cons

• Retains color better than other shapes
• Open table means imperfections can be easier to see 

BEST SETTING AND STYLES FOR CUSHION CUT DIAMONDS

Because of their classic appeal and modern charm, Cushion Cuts looks stunning in various stud earrings. A few characteristic cushion cut earrings should have are –

• The Best Style: Classic with extra flair – pave halo
• Runner-Up: Sleek & modern – channel set 
• Solid Choice: Simple & timeless – solitaire 
• Decent: Unique or Custom – vintage style
• The Worst: Bulky – tension setting

GIA CERTIFICATIONS FOR CUSHION CUTS

Like with other diamonds, it’s essential to look at any cushion cut diamond’s certification before you make a purchase. You’ll want to look for diamonds certified by the Gemological Institute of America (GIA). 

The GIA is the most reliable Gemological laboratory globally, making their certification the most important to look for. By looking at the GIA certification, you don’t need to listen as closely to what the store is saying regarding the quality of the diamond. 

The GIA certification, on the other hand, provides an independent, credible, and unbiased appraisal of the diamond. Factors such as the cut, colour, clarity, carat weight and much more are evaluated for each stone, and all appear as part of the certificate.

HOW TO CHOOSE A CUSHION CUT DIAMOND

Are you looking for a cushion cut? Below, I’ve covered the key factors to look for when buying or comparing cushion-cut diamonds. I am mentioning everything to help you buy one of the best cushion cut diamond earrings from colour to clarity.

Cushion Cut Diamond Color

Cushion and radiant are the two most common diamond shapes in the fancy colour diamond market. For this reason, I recommend my readers stick with H or a better colour shade when buying a cushion cut unless they will set it in yellow or rose gold.

H colour diamond is a good value option. It’s also one of the more popular choices thanks to its balance in price. You’ll notice a significant price jump between each colour grade, with H falling somewhere in the middle.

Although H diamonds aren’t completely colourless, they are “near colorless” and only have a very slight yellow tint. Almost no one will notice this difference, especially if the diamond is set in rose or yellow gold.

Cushion Cut Diamond Clarity

Because cushion cuts have a large open table, it might be not easy to find an excellent eye-clean SI2 diamond. Unfortunately, this means you might have to compromise and end up paying extra for a higher clarity stone.

Cut Parameters for Cushion Cut Diamonds

It’s important to remember that you can’t evaluate a stone’s cut quality with cushion cut diamonds. The best way to help you select a cushion cut diamond is by making some educated recommendations.

• Depth: Under 70%
• Table: Under 70%
• Polish/Symmetry: Good, Very Good, or Excellent
• Length/Width Ratio: Whatever you like!

The length and width ratio refers to the proportionate length and width of the diamond and also is a good determinant of how the diamond will look when it is looked at from a face-up view. It is also a good indicator of how big or small the stone will appear to look.

Polish is a grade noted on the lab certificate. It refers to how fine of a polished has been applied to the facets of the diamond. Therefore, it has a minimal impact on the price and looks of the diamond.

On the diamond certificate, symmetry is also a lesser-valued grade. It refers to how symmetrically the diamond’s facets have been set down by the cutter. A minimum grade of “Very Good” should be given to both Symmetry and Polish.

Carat Weight of Cushion Cuts

When you examine the carat of a cushion cut diamond, you find that there may be significant differences in the price points due to an increase in the carat weight. The carat weight of a diamond is simply the measurement of how much the diamond weighs. 

The price increases weights because a larger diamond is more desirable than a smaller diamond and comes at a higher cost. However, if you wish, you can settle on a smaller diamond.

Also Read: A Perfect Blog Guide On How To Choose The Best Diamond Stud Earrings

MISUNDERSTANDING RELATED TO THE CUSHION CUT DIAMONDS

After Round and Princess Cuts, the shape popular is the Cushion Cut. There are two primary reasons for this. First, and most obviously, they look elegant and still have a level of brilliance almost equal to a round diamond.

Almost as important as this is the fact that Cushion cuts are simply a very confusing cut. There are many terms specific to cushion cuts that need to be understood, such as modified cushions, classic cushions, chunky cushions, broken glass, crushed ice, no culets, large culets, old minders, square cushions, and rectangular cushions.

THE TRUTH ABOUT CUSHION CUTS

I’m sure you’ve heard that line multiple times before if you came to this page after conducting some research elsewhere. For example, people will tell you to buy a standard cushion if you want a “chunky cushion”, and you need to buy a modified cushion if you want a “crushed ice” cushion.

It is completely inaccurate. The truth about cushion cuts is that it rarely makes any noticeable difference in a cushion cut’s appearance, whether standard or modified. The overall look will remain as beautiful as it is.

“CHUNKY” VS “CRUSHED-ICE” CUSHION BRILLIANTS

There are two various categories of “looks” that a cushion cut diamond can present, just as there are two distinct categories of cushion cut classifications. You can consider these variations while buying cushion cut diamond earrings.

Chunky Cushions

“Chunky” cushions are those that have clearly defined facet patterns when looking down into the table of a face-up oriented stone. These resemble how round diamonds present themselves. These are often called “antique” cushion cuts.

It is technically not true since the cushion brilliant-cut is relatively modern. The antique antecedent of the current cushion cut is the Old Miner. Although, it’s clear this look is referred to as an “antique” cushion because this is how Old Miner cuts always present themselves.

Crushed-Ice Cushions

When looking through their table, “Crushed-Ice” cushions have no discernable faceting. Instead, all you can see is what looks like broken glass or crushed ice, a disorganized space of sparkling bling. It is typically what a radiant cut looks like. You also find this effect in corners of pear shapes and marquise shape stones.

Also Read: What Should Be The Ideal Size Of Diamond Stud Earrings?

WHERE TO BUY THE BEST CUSHION CUT DIAMOND STUD EARRINGS

Hope, after reading these tips for cushion cut diamond stud, you are prepared for buying a pair for you. But, unfortunately, you don’t have a clue where to buy it. So don’t worry, if you are looking for one of the best cushion cut diamond stud earrings, then RRP Jewelers is the best option.

At RRP Jewelers, you can find GIA certified cushion cut diamond studs with eye-catching design and lustre. Also, you can choose from multiple settings and metal types, suiting your budget and your looks.