Cushion

The cushion cut has larger, more open facets and rounded corners — originally developed in the 18th century when diamond cutting was done by hand. It produces a softer, more diffused light return than round brilliant's optimized 58-facet sparkle. Round brilliant is more brilliant. Cushion cut is more romantic and antique-feeling. Many shoppers choose cushion for its vintage aesthetic; others choose it because it reads differently from the ubiquitous round.

A crossover or bypass setting is one in which the band of the ring crosses beneath the center stone rather than meeting symmetrically on either side. This creates an architectural, X-shaped silhouette when viewed from the side. It's a less traditional setting than a four-prong solitaire, and it works particularly well with the cushion cut's rounded shape because the band's crossing curve [mirrors](/home/mirrors) the stone's soft corners.

Yellow gold and rose gold are particularly popular with cushion cut diamonds because the warm tones of the metal complement the cushion cut's own warm light return. White gold and platinum offer a more contemporary look. The cushion cut's large facets also make the metal choice visible — any inclusions or color in the stone may be more apparent in certain settings. For lab-grown cushion cut diamonds, color grade is controlled, making any metal an excellent choice.

A cushion cut has a slightly larger face-up surface area than a round brilliant of the same carat weight — the rounded square shape distributes weight more evenly across the top of the stone. This means a 1.5ct cushion cut may appear marginally larger than a 1.5ct round brilliant when viewed from above. However, the difference is subtle — carat weight, setting style, and band width all affect apparent size.

Cushion cuts are similar to rounds in maintenance requirements — routine cleaning with warm water, dish soap, and a soft brush is sufficient. The large facets of a cushion cut can show fingerprints and lotion more visibly than some other cuts, so weekly cleaning will keep the stone looking its best. For pavé or crossover settings, pay attention to the band as well — small crevices in the setting can collect debris.

Yes. All Quince [engagement rings](/jewelry/engagement-rings) feature lab-grown diamonds. Lab-grown cushion cut diamonds are real diamonds — same physical and optical properties as mined cushion cuts, grown in controlled environments for complete traceability. This allows us to offer a fair price on a distinctive cut without compromising on quality.