Cushion Diamond Guide

By Josh Allen, Co-Founder of YourDiamondGuys.com. Fifth generation diamantaire with 30+ years in the global diamond trade. Former supplier to Tiffany & Co., Cartier, and Harry Winston.

A cushion cut has to be judged from the actual look. The name covers a wide range of facet styles, and some cushions look romantic while others look sleepy.

Cushions are not one look. That is the whole problem. A chunky cushion, crushed ice cushion, and modified cushion can feel like completely different diamonds.

For natural diamonds, start with GIA. The report gives the first facts worth trusting, but the actual images and video still decide whether the diamond earns the money.

When cushions hit the desk, the first question is not the grade. It is the texture. Is it chunky and broad? Is it crushed and busy? Is it bright enough to survive real lighting?

What To Check First

Chunky And Crushed Ice Are Different Buys

Start with crushed ice vs chunky facets before judging price. Some buyers love crushed ice. Some buyers think it looks busy. Both reactions are normal.

The mistake is buying a cushion without knowing which look you are seeing.

Where Cushions Go Sleepy

A cushion can have soft corners and still look dull. Watch the center and corners as the stone moves. You want life across the face, not one bright area surrounded by mush.

Cut labels do not protect you here. The video does.

My Buying Call

Choose the facet style first, then compare brightness, outline, spread, color, clarity, and price. A cushion should feel intentional, not like a compromise.

Reach out to Rob or me at YourDiamondGuys.com, or book your free consultation. We will look at the actual stone with you. No sales pitch.

How This Connects To The Rest Of The Buy

A cushion makes the rest of the buy depend on texture first. Use the diamond shapes guide to confirm the style, then check crushed ice vs chunky facets, the fancy shape cut guide, and shape color and clarity visibility before you start letting price push the decision.

That is the order I trust. Texture first. Brightness second. Video third. Then the numbers can help.

A Buyer Example

Say a buyer sends me two cushions with the same color and clarity. One has neater paper. The other has cleaner texture, better life through the center, and corners that do not go mushy in the video. I slow down on the second stone if the price makes sense.

The paper is not the prize. The actual diamond is. That is the trade habit buyers need to borrow before they spend real money.

Mistakes I Would Skip

1. Do not buy the report before judging the actual diamond.
2. Do not compare price until the shape passes its visual checks.
3. Do not ignore video, outline, spread, color visibility, or clarity visibility.
4. Do not assume the same spec target works for every shape.

Questions I Ask Before Approval

1. Does the diamond match the job of this page: Choose a cushion diamond with the right facet style and enough visual life.
2. Can I see the actual diamond video, not a sample image?
3. Does the shape create any durability, bowtie, windowing, color, or clarity issue?
4. Is the price right for the stone in front of me?

Exploring the World of Cushion Cut Diamonds

Compare Cushion Styles Side By Side

Use these sites as comparison tools, not automatic recommendations. I would compare cushion ring styles on Brilliant Earth and loose cushion videos on Ritani, then separate bright, balanced stones from mushy crushed ice.

Questions? Reach out directly for a free consultation, or drop them in the Diamond Buyers Academy community — Rob and I answer personally.