Cushion Cut Diamonds vs. Radiant Cut Diamonds

Though diamond shopping can be a fun and exciting experience, it can also be quite a challenging one. Despite the popularity of diamonds, they are still a bit of an enigma to the common shopper. Most shoppers can’t identify different diamond cuts by sight alone, let alone rattle off the names of various fancy-cuts. If you count yourself among this kind of diamond shopper, don’t worry! You’re not doomed to make a terrible choice or walk away with a diamond you’re not happy with. This guide will walk you through the differences between two of the most gorgeous diamond cuts: cushion and radiant. Here’s everything you need to know!

1 Cushion-Cut Diamond

Cushion cut diamonds typically feature a square or rectangular shape with curved edges. It takes its name from a common household item — a pillow. With its rounded corners and square shape, this cut resembles a cushion, albeit a very sparkly one. This fancy cut utilizes the classic round-brilliant cut as its muse. From the round-brilliant, the cushion takes intricate cuts that enhance the stone’s brilliance. It’s definitely seeing a significant rise in popularity but is still unique enough to satisfy anyone looking for a less common diamond shape.

Pros of Cushion-Cut Diamonds

• This cut is bound to catch the eye of anyone in the room, as it boasts great brilliance and fire.
• You’ll save big when choosing a cushion-cut, as it’s generally less expensive than its round-brilliant counterpart.
• This cut is distinct and a great option for anyone looking for a more custom-tailored look.

Cons of Cushion-Cut Diamonds

• You’ll have to buy a diamond with a high clarity rating, as cushion cuts can highlight imperfections in a stone.

2 Radiant-Cut Diamonds

The radiant cut was created by Henry Grossbard in 1977, like a cut that enhances the brilliance of a stone. This cut is a combination of round-brilliant and emerald-cut diamonds. This diamond features the distinct step-cuts that emerald-cut diamonds are known for and the sparkle of round-brilliants. Though unique, radiant cut engagement rings are exceedingly popular, especially among those that have more eclectic styles.

Pros of Radiant-Cut Diamonds

• If your stone features a bit of color or imperfection, you can leverage a radiant cut, as they tend to hide flaws and disguise color tints.
• Regardless of your style preference, a radiant-cut diamond will pair well with anything!
• Radiant-cut diamonds maximize brilliance, as they are modeled after round-brilliants their sparkle is unrivaled.

Cons of Radiant-Cut Diamonds

• If you’re looking for a cut that provides the illusion of depth like an emerald-cut, this is not the cut for you!
• Radiant-cut diamonds come in varying sizes — some more square and some more rectangular. Although this gives the cut more diversity, it also means one more decision to make sure of your shopping process.

Cut Comparison

Both radiant and cushion-cut diamonds are modeled after the famed round-brilliant diamond cut. They are great options for anyone looking for a diamond that will reflect tons of light. Finally, where you’ll find distinction is in the step-cuts in a radiant cut diamond — cushion cuts lack this coveted feature. Overall, these cuts are very similar, and their biggest difference comes from their shape.

Conclusion

Shopping for a diamond engagement ring can certainly be a challenging experience, but it’s one worth going through. With a little bit of background information and some research, you’ll be able to walk away with the diamond of your dreams. Good luck!