Cushion cut vs. princess cut diamond often conflicts mind when you consider buying an engagement ring. While there are various diamond shapes available to consider while buying a ring, these two popular rings are considered the favourite of celebrities, even among celebrities like Katrina Kaif who received a stunning diamond ring from her husband Vicky Kaushal.
In this blog post, we will specifically take into consideration a few factors before finalizing which one to go for and will make sure that your engagement ring not only captures your personal style but also adds a touch of magic to your special day.
Let's start exploring!
What is a Cushion Cut Diamond?
A Cushion cut diamond, known as an old mine cut, represents a blend of old and new that will complement a vintage, unique style yet with a modern brilliance that everyone will love.
It is typically square or rectangular, with rounded corners instead of pointed ones. In recent years, unique cuts have gained immense popularity and tend to look like crushed ice with a more subtle sparkle that sets it apart from the sparkling brilliance of other diamonds.
What is a Princess Cut Diamond?
Princess-cut diamonds are square, giving them a clean, modern, royal vibe that differs widely as compared to cushion cuts. Sometimes, it may be rectangular and cut for maximum brilliance and feature an inverted pyramid on the bottom half of the gemstone. They are usually considered to be the most beautiful options for earrings, necklaces and bracelets and have gained immense popularity because of their classic and timeless look.
Cushion Cut vs Princess Cut Diamond
Before you make a purchase, let's discuss the pros in detail
Pros of cushion cut
1) Sparkle
Cushion cut diamond ring design offers an incredible fire and sparkle that is combined with a soft, unique shape, making it popular among those who love antique cuts. While it may not feature as many facets as round brilliant cuts, the larger facets of a cushion cut create a beautiful play of light, resulting in a captivating sparkle.
2) Versatility
It can be set in various styles of engagement rings, blending both antique and modern aesthetics performance. Whether placed in classic solitaire settings, vintage-inspired designs or halo settings, the cushion cut adapts elegantly, with no strict ratio or preferences, making it blend with special occasions.
3) Price
Cushion-cut diamond prices are a cost-effective option due to the retention of the original rough diamond during the cutting process. Also, cushions have a lower demand and produce less waste during cutting, allowing for customization of size according to personal preference.
Pros of Princess Cut
1) Size
Princess-cut diamonds provide a larger face-up appearance when compared to other diamond shapes with the same carat weight. This is due to its square or rectangular shape with pointed corners, facilitating the distribution of more diamond weight towards the centre. As a result, princess-cut diamonds appear larger and become an attractive option for those who are seeking a visually impactful diamond without increasing the carat weight.
2) Price
Compared to other diamonds, princess cuts are more affordable. The pyramidal shape of the cut results in less material wastage during the cutting process. The efficiency in cutting contributes to a more affordable price per carat when compared to other diamond shapes. Princess cuts offer a cost-effective option without compromising on overall appearance.
3) Versatility
On cushion cut Vs princess cut diamonds, we concluded that even princess cuts are highly versatile and will suit every engagement style. They will look elegant in classic solitaire settings, but they will also be paired up with elaborate designs such as halo or three-stone settings. The square or rectangular shape with pointed corners gives it a modern and clean aesthetic, making princess-cut diamonds appealing to those with both traditional and modern tastes.
Types of cushion cut diamond
Cushion cut diamonds, with their iconic soft and feminine pillow shape, have been popular for centuries among diamond enthusiasts. We will explore various types of cushion-cut diamonds:
Old mine cushions
The old mine cushion cut originated in the early 19th and 20th century, known for its chunky and geometric facets. Considered antique cuts, they exhibit a distinctive, nearly chunky appearance with larger facets and a smaller table, contributing to a unique play of light. They come in rectangular or square shapes and are cherished for their vintage charm.
Brilliant cut cushions
It is a modern variation of the cushion cut, incorporating a brilliant facet pattern. The pattern consists of numerous smaller facets that enhance the diamond's sparkle and brilliance, offering a more lively and fiery appearance as compared to older cushion cuts. The style is popular for those who prefer a classic, brilliant look with the vintage charm of a cushion cut.
Cushion modified “crushed ice”
A type of cushion cut diamond refers to the cutting style that results in a diamond with a unique faceting pattern that resembles crushed ice. This type of cushion cut has numerous small facets; it will create a sparkling effect, appreciated for its distinctiveness and the captivating, modern look it imparts to the diamond.
Cushion modified “hybrid”
The cushion modifies "hybrid" cuts and amalgamates elements from both traditional and modern cushion cuts. By incorporating a mix of large and smaller facets, it achieves a balance between brilliance and a more antique appearance. This cut aims to capture both the audience, catering to those who appreciate the vintage appeal of older cuts while also valuing the sparkle found in the modern brilliant cuts.
Factors to be considered before buying cushion cut diamond
In the above blog, we discussed cushion vs princess cut diamond, determining that the cushion cut is considered to be fairly priced compared to the princess cut diamond.
Cushion diamond colour
The colour of a diamond matters. GIA grades diamonds on a scale from D to Z. For cushion cut diamonds, it is suggested to aim for colour in the range from G to J to strike a good balance between quality and cost. However, H colour diamond is considered a good value option. It is one of the popular choices because of its price range and is nearly colourless with a yellow tint.
Cushion diamond clarity
Clarity refers to internal or external imperfections, known as inclusion or blemishes. The GIA grades diamonds are rated on a scale from flawless to included. In the case of a cushion-cut diamond, a clarity grade of very slightly or slightly is often considered a perfect balance between quality and value.
The term eye clean is used to describe a diamond that looks clear and free from inclusion under normal view conditions. In the case of a cushion cut, it has a large open table, which means that it is difficult to find a clean-eye diamond can be challenging, implying that a premium is often paid for high clarity stones.
Cushion diamond cut parameters
The cut of a diamond influences its brilliance and overall appearance. The cushion cut diamond quality differs in terms of cut quality. Let's have a look at the particular aspects:
Proportions - Firstly, ensure that the diamond has well-balanced proportions and avoid extremes that could impact its brilliance.
Facet patterns - Evaluate the arrangements of facets. A cushion-cut diamond should exhibit a pleasing pattern that will enhance its sparkle.
Symmetry - Check for symmetry in the diamond facets. It is considered that well-aligned facets contribute to a more visually appealing diamond.
Summarize
Over the years, the comparison between cushion cut vs princess cut diamonds has been a common consideration, given their popularity. Couples often find it daunting to choose between these two exquisite diamond cuts when getting engaged or gifting a loved one. Personal preferences and individual choices primarily influence the decision.
At V. Jayantilal & Co., we specialize in crafting diamonds that will be close to your heart and set your class apart with a touch of class. We believe in crafting round, cushion, oval and emerald diamonds that guarantee quality and help us grow to the next level and meet customer requirements.
