Custom Cushion Cut Diamond Rings — Romantic Fire
The cushion cut merges vintage heritage with brilliant fire — pillow-soft corners cradling 200 years of romantic tradition. Commission your bespoke cushion ring with Riolls master goldsmiths.
What Is a Cushion Cut Diamond?
The cushion cut diamond is a square or rectangular shape with softly rounded corners, resembling a pillow or cushion. Originally known as the “old mine cut,” it was the most popular diamond shape for over a century before the round brilliant was perfected in 1919.
Modern cushion cuts retain the romantic, vintage character of the old mine cut but with dramatically improved faceting. They come in two distinct varieties: the “cushion brilliant” (larger facets producing bold, distinct flashes similar to a round brilliant) and the “cushion modified” or “crushed ice” (smaller, more numerous facets that produce millions of tiny sparkles resembling broken ice).
The cushion's rounded corners and deep pavilion produce exceptional fire — the splitting of white light into spectral colours. Among all diamond shapes, the cushion displays some of the most visible rainbow flashes, giving it a warm, romantic glow that is distinctly different from the bright white sparkle of a round.
How the Cushion Cut Works
The cushion cut uses brilliant-cut faceting principles but with a key difference: its deeper pavilion and larger crown facets increase the stone's dispersion — the ability to split white light into its component spectral colours. This produces more visible fire (rainbow flashes) than a round brilliant, which prioritises white-light brilliance.
In the cushion brilliant variation, the pavilion facets are arranged in a pattern similar to a round, producing broad, distinct flashes. In the crushed ice variation, the pavilion is faceted with additional, smaller facets that create a fragmented sparkle pattern — resembling light reflecting off crushed ice or a frozen lake.
The rounded corners soften the overall light pattern, preventing the sharp geometric reflections seen in princess or radiant cuts. The result is a warmer, more romantic brilliance — the cushion doesn't dazzle aggressively, but glows with a deep, inviting warmth.
The Cushion Diamond in Love
“The cushion is love as warmth — not a flash of lightning, but the steady glow of a fireplace that never goes out.”
The cushion cut symbolises warmth, comfort, and enduring devotion. Its soft, pillow-like form evokes the gentle, reassuring side of love — the kind that wraps around you rather than sweeping you off your feet. It speaks to intimacy, security, and a bond that grows deeper with time.
The cushion's 200-year heritage connects it to generations of love stories. Choosing a cushion cut is an embrace of tradition — an acknowledgement that the most beautiful things in life are not fleeting trends but enduring classics. It is the diamond of the old soul, the hopeless romantic.
Notable cushion lovers include Meghan Markle (whose original engagement ring from Prince Harry featured a cushion centre stone), Kim Kardashian (whose 15-carat cushion from Kanye West was one of the most famous engagement rings of the decade), and Sofia Vergara.
The 4Cs for Cushion Cut Diamonds
Cushion cuts feature 58–64 facets in either "cushion brilliant" (bold flashes) or "cushion modified/crushed ice" (millions of tiny sparkles) patterns. No GIA cut grade exists. The ideal ratio is 1.00–1.10 for square and 1.15–1.30 for rectangular cushions. Look for even corners, symmetrical curvature, and a lively face-up pattern without dark areas.
Cushion cuts retain more body colour than rounds due to their larger facets and deeper pavilion. The rounded corners and open facets can concentrate colour. We recommend G–H for white gold. For yellow or rose gold, I–J cushions offer warm, romantic beauty and excellent value. The "crushed ice" pattern hides colour slightly better than cushion brilliants.
Cushion cuts hide inclusions reasonably well — better than step cuts but not as effectively as rounds. SI1 is typically eye-clean for cushions above 1.50 carats. For 1.00–1.50 carat range, VS2 is recommended. Crushed ice patterns mask inclusions better than cushion brilliants because the smaller, more numerous sparkles distract the eye.
Cushion cuts carry more weight in their depth than their face-up size. A 1.00-carat cushion appears approximately 10–12% smaller face-up than a 1.00-carat round. We recommend stepping up 10–15% in carat weight versus a round for equivalent visual presence. The rounded corners help the stone appear softer and larger than sharp-cornered shapes like princess.
Why Customize a Cushion Diamond Ring?
Cushion cuts vary enormously — the difference between a cushion brilliant and crushed ice is dramatic, and proportions range from perfectly square to noticeably rectangular. A bespoke service lets you choose exactly the cushion character you prefer and see it in person before committing.
The cushion pairs beautifully with halo settings (which accentuate its pillow shape), split-shank designs, vintage-inspired milgrain bands, and clean solitaires. At Riolls, we design each setting specifically for your cushion's exact dimensions and facet pattern.
Every cushion ring is handcrafted by a single master goldsmith in solid gold — no mass production, no templates, no compromises.
Crafting your custom cushion diamond ring in 5 steps
Share your vision — cushion brilliant or crushed ice, carat, ratio (square or rectangular), setting style, and metal.
We source GIA/IGI certified cushions with excellent symmetry and your preferred facet pattern (brilliant or crushed ice).
Review photorealistic 3D renders from every angle before metalwork begins.
Your ring is forged by hand — the pillow-soft corners cradled by precision prongs.
Arrives with diamond certificates, hallmarking, and full transit insurance.
Authenticity & Material Guarantee
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Everything you need to know about custom cushion diamond rings
What is a cushion cut diamond?
The cushion cut (formerly called the "old mine cut") combines a square or rectangular contour with rounded pillow-like corners. It features 58 to 64 facets that deliver soft romantic warmth, high dispersion of colored light flashes, and smooth rounded edges. The cushion has been a popular diamond shape for over 200 years and has experienced a major resurgence in modern engagement rings.
What is the difference between cushion brilliant and crushed ice?
A cushion brilliant features larger, distinct facet patterns similar to a round brilliant, producing bold flashes of light. A cushion modified (often called "crushed ice") features smaller, intricate pavilion facets that disperse light into millions of tiny, glittering sparkles reminiscent of broken ice. Both styles are available for custom Riolls commissions — the choice is purely personal preference.
What does a cushion diamond symbolise in love?
The cushion cut symbolises warmth, comfort, and enduring romance. Its soft, rounded corners evoke the feeling of a pillow — something comforting, intimate, and eternal. The cushion's vintage heritage connects it to generations of love stories. Choosing a cushion says: "our love is warm, deep, and built to last."
Does a cushion cut diamond hide inclusions well?
Moderately. The cushion's brilliant-cut pattern provides some inclusion masking through light dispersion, but its larger facets and deeper pavilion mean inclusions are more visible than in a round brilliant. Crushed ice cushions hide inclusions better than cushion brilliants. We recommend VS2 or better for consistently eye-clean results.
How long does a custom cushion diamond ring take?
A custom cushion diamond ring at Riolls takes 6 to 10 weeks from design approval. This includes sourcing your cushion (brilliant or crushed ice), 3D CAD rendering, hand-forging in solid gold, stone setting, and hallmarking.
Commission your custom cushion diamond ring
Book a complimentary consultation to select your ideal cushion diamond and design your bespoke setting.