Where the Cushion Sits in 2026
The cushion rides two of the year’s strongest currents at once — the vintage-and-antique revival and the move toward elongated outlines. High-profile antique-style engagements have put soft, old-world cushions back in the spotlight, and the long cushion in particular has become genuinely sought after, with well-cut examples reported in short supply. The cushion also matters outside white goods entirely — its faceting concentrates and deepens body colour, making it one of the great coloured-diamond shapes, which is why so many yellows are cut this way. Buying one well starts with knowing exactly which cushion you mean.
What GIA’s Report Covers — and What It Doesn’t
GIA issues no cut grade for cushion, and it isn’t in the 2027 fancy-shape cut-grade rollout — no grade is coming. The report gives polish, symmetry, measurements, depth, and table, but not the one thing that most defines a cushion’s look: its brilliance style. That’s a matter of seeing the stone.
What Actually Matters When You’re Buying a Cushion
Brilliance style — chunky versus crushed ice. The question most buyers skip, and it changes everything. Chunky throws bolder flashes; crushed ice shimmers with fine, broken sparkle that hides inclusions but reads softer — different stones for different briefs. Square or elongated outline — square sits near 1.00-1.05, long runs above 1.10 and is currently in demand and shorter supply; corners should be even with no flat side or pinch. Windowing and depth — too deep darkens the centre; too shallow windows. The facet pattern — a modified cushion’s extra facet row should be even and deliberate, not muddy. Colour — cushions hold body colour a little more than round, mattering for placement in white goods and being the entire point in colour stones.
Certified Single Stones
For solitaires and centrepieces, we supply GIA-certified natural cushions across sizes, colours, clarities, ratios, and faceting styles — square and long, chunky and crushed ice — sourced to the exact character the brief calls for, not just the grade.
Loose Parcels and Calibrated Goods
| Category | Range We Supply |
| Small/melee goods | Calibrated small cushion goods through melee |
| Pointers | 18 to 99 points (0.18–0.99 ct) |
| One carat and up | Certified and non-certified loose parcels |
| Clarity | FL to I1 |
| Colour | D to Z |
Consistent make and faceting character through the parcel, calibrated dimension where a layout needs it.
Matched Pairs
Demanding precisely because of the shape’s internal variation — matching brilliance style, outline, ratio, facet pattern, colour, and fluorescence. A chunky stone beside a crushed-ice one reads as mismatched however close the grades. We match faceting character first, before either stone is confirmed.
Shades and Coloured Diamonds
TTLB and other light-brown shade goods often face up well, especially in yellow gold, at real discount to D-Z stones. Central to this shape: natural coloured-diamond cushions, where the faceting concentrates colour, making it one of the premier shapes for yellows and other coloured diamonds.
Pricing
Cushion trades below round per carat and cuts efficiently — genuine value. The spread runs on faceting character, outline, make, and for colour, how well the cut carries hue. We price against current market conditions and tell you plainly what a number reflects.
FAQ
What’s the difference between chunky and crushed-ice cushions?
Brilliance style — the most important thing the grade doesn’t tell you. Chunky throws bolder flashes; crushed ice shimmers softer and hides inclusions well. Two stones graded identically can look completely different.
Does GIA grade cushion cut?
No, and cushion isn’t in the 2027 rollout — no grade is coming. Brilliance style and outline character have to be seen.
What ratio should I choose for a cushion?
Near 1.00-1.05 for square, above 1.10 for long. Long cushions are currently in stronger demand and shorter supply.
Why are so many coloured diamonds cut as cushions?
The faceting concentrates and deepens body colour — one of the best shapes for showing colour at its richest, yellows especially.
What sizes do you supply?
The full range — calibrated small goods through melee, pointers 0.18 to 0.99ct, and certified or non-certified parcels at a carat and up across FL-I1 and D-Z, plus shade goods and a deep coloured-diamond offering.
Do you supply matched pairs and layouts?
Yes — matched in hand on brilliance style, outline, ratio, colour, and fluorescence simultaneously, since identical grades alone don’t make a matched pair in this shape.
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