Diamond and Jewelry Articles

Cushion cut diamonds are gaining favor once again as a diamond shape reminiscent of the earliest faceted diamonds. In keeping with the tremendous resurgence in popularity of vintage styling in fine jewelry, the venerable cushion cut is seen more today than at any time since the turn of the century (the 20th century that is!).

The cushion cut is a square to slightly rectangular shape with rounded corners. It is similar in shape to a sofa cushion, hence the name. The earliest faceted diamonds, sometimes referred to as 'old mine cut" or "old European cut," were fashioned with relatively primitive tools. Most gem quality diamond crystals form in the octahedron shape which is like two pyrimids connected base to base. Early diamonds were cut by grinding and polishing down one point of the pyramid to become the table, and polishing the opposite point to a lesser extent to form a large culet, and then putting a few facets on the crown and the pavilion. The outline of the resulting shape was a roundish square, or a squarish round. These stones tended to be relatively deep and therefore small looking and had limited brilliance.

Today, modern cutting technology is used to bring outstanding performance to the cushion cut creating spectacular stones with old world character. They are a more distinctive shape today and modern craftmanship produces stones that are spready and bright.

If you are looking to make a dazzling piece of jewelry that evokes the flavors and fashions of a past era the modern cushion cut diamond is a great choice as a feature stone.

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