Bottom Line Recommendation…
- There is a huge difference between cushion cut diamonds and emerald cut diamonds. The cushion cut focuses more on the fire and brilliance of the stone. View here. On the other hand, emerald cuts focus more on the stone’s luster and clarity as you can see here. By understanding the differences, you will be in a much better position to choose the ideal stone for you.
- It is the larger number of facets that give the cushion cut its brilliance. If you are looking for intense sparkle and shine in a diamond, the cushion cut is the right choice. However, if you prefer a diamond that is more subtle and gives you amazing luster, then go for the emerald cut.
- In both the cushion cut and the emerald cut, you should never compromise on cut quality. This is what gives the cushion cut its fire and brilliance. Cut quality also ensures that all of the light that enters the emerald cut is reflected and does not result in a black area as shown here. This can be very conspicuous and will negatively affect the appearance of the stone.
- You can save a lot by going for the emerald cut. This is because, during the diamond cutting process, less of the rough is wasted compared to the cushion cut. Take a look at this well-priced emerald cut here.
- When choosing the right carat weight, note that a larger emerald cut is more likely to show imperfections than a smaller one. This means that you can go higher on the carat weight with the cushion cut than, since the brilliance of the stone tends to hide imperfections. View an example here.
Diamonds come in different shapes and cuts. Two of the most popular cuts are the cushion cut and the emerald cut. If you are out shopping for a diamond and you are having a hard time deciding between the cushion cut and the emerald cut, then make a side by side comparison will help.
The emerald cut and cushion cut diamonds have an aura of exquisiteness around them making them both a great choice for the sophisticated individual who wants to flaunt a bit of class.
Let’s compare the cushion cut and the emerald cut to find out which one is best for you.
The Cushion Cut Diamond
If you like to have an elegant vintage feel to your diamond, the cushion cut is a great choice. These diamonds feature a slightly rectangular or square shape and get their name from the pillow-like shape.
In the earlier years of cushion cut diamonds, the stones were cut using a step cut. However, Marcel Tolkowsky introduced a cutting method similar to the round cut which gave the cushion cut, even more, fire and brilliance.
There is even a newer version featuring a row of facets added to the pavilion. These types of cushion cuts are known as modified cushion cuts.
It is to no surprise that the modern cushion cut diamonds are referred to as cushion brilliants.
The soft rounded edges of the stone give off a feeling of comfort and calm. The cushion-cut can also come in two main looks. Chunky cushions allow the observer to see the back facets and will reflect light in broad flashes.
On the other hand, some cushion cuts have a crushed ice look. Here the observer is not able to see the pavilion facets. There are many facet reflections inside the diamond resulting in smaller and more numerous light flashes.
However, there is a drawback to getting a cushion cut diamond. Due to their deeper cutting style, they have a smaller face-up appearance. This means that you may have to go up on the carat weight to get an idea looking diamond.
When evaluating your cushion cuts, you may come across diamonds that err on the side of being nearly round while some are squarer. The best cushion cuts will find the right balance between the two.
The main thing that sets cushion cuts apart from most other diamond shapes is their ability to exude the most fire. If you prefer more color flashes on your diamond than brilliant light flashes, then you may just want to consider the cushion cut.
The Emerald Cut Diamonds
Some buyers are not into the brilliance of a diamond. They prefer something subtle, elegant and sophisticated. If you are one of these buyers, you may want to consider an emerald cut diamond.
This cut has larger and fewer facets allowing it to give off large and broad flashes.
The emerald cut is often a rectangular shape. That said, it is possible to find emerald cuts that have a squarer look.
They also have a hall of mirrors effect drawing your eyes to them and having an almost entrancing pull to the center of the stone.
The emerald cut has a large table facet. This is where most of the light will get through into the stone.
When judging step cut diamonds, it often comes down to personal preference. The most important thing is to view the diamonds through close up images or 360-degree videos. Only then can you pick the best stone.
Cushion cut vs Emerald cut — Price
With emerald-cut diamonds, one of the most appealing features isn’t just in the clarity of the stone but the price. Step cut diamonds, which include the emerald cut and the Asscher cut are cheaper per carat weight than brilliant cuts because they do not exude as much fire or brilliance.
Less of the diamond rough is also wasted.
The cushion-cut can also offer the buyer a great deal. It can cost up to 25% less than a round cut diamond of similar carat weight. However, cushion cuts are still costlier than emerald cuts.
Cushion cut vs Emerald cut — Cut quality
The cut quality of the cushion cut diamond is important and the best-cut stones will feature a head and arrows pattern. These have the most fire and brilliance.
Cut quality should also be given priority in emerald cut diamonds as well since a poorly cut emerald diamond will often have a large dark area at the center where light is not reflected. This will negatively affect its appearance. The shape of the diamond also needs to be symmetrical.
Cushion cut vs Emerald cut — Carat weight
First-time diamond buyers will usually have a hard time when judging the cushion cut size. This is because there’s no exact science around it. The best way to judge a cushion cut is by picking a stone that is most appealing to your eyes.
The elongated shape of the emerald cut and the shallow pavilion makes it appear larger per carat weight that it is.
Note, however, that a larger emerald cut will show imperfections more easily than a smaller emerald cut. If you want to get a great deal and save money, you can choose a smaller stone in the VSI clarity grade. The stones in this grade will be eye-clean.
Make sure to inspect the diamond yourself and only pick a shape that is most appealing to you. Do not rely just on the lab report. At the end of the day, it’s all about how the diamond looks.
Cushion cut vs Emerald cut — Clarity
The cushion-cut, due to its fire and brilliance can hide the diamond’s inclusions and blemishes. However, this is not the case with the emerald cut. The large table facet means that a small inclusion will draw the eye to it.
Polish and clarity are very important with emerald cuts. There is no need to have a stone that ranks high on cut quality but has visible inclusions. The appeal of step cuts lies in their flawlessness.
Cushion cut vs Emerald cut — Color
With cushion cuts, you can move down the color grade and get an even better deal as cushion cuts offer the lightest dispersion. This allows the diamonds to hide color very effectively.
The emerald cut, on the other hand, is more likely to expose the color in the stone. You should, therefore, focus on the colorless or the near colorless color grades.
If you plan on going slightly lower on the color scale to get the best price with emerald cuts, you need to consider the type of setting. Yellow gold is best in this case as the yellow hue will reflect through the diamond and will make it appear whiter than it is.