How to Choose Between Oval and Cushion Cut Diamonds

By: WC Editorial Team Read Time: 3 mins Diamond

August 7, 2023

How to Choose Between Oval and Cushion Cut Diamonds

Two of the most popular diamond cuts of today are the cushion cut and the oval cut. Cushion cuts have been popular for quite a while, whereas oval cut diamonds have only just recently surged in popularity. Although seemingly different, both diamonds have a rounded appearance and an intense brilliance that make them some of the shiniest contenders in the diamond world. Both diamonds make great additions to jewelry of all types which accounts for their incredible popularity. In fact, these two cuts are the two most popular types of loose diamonds for engagement rings.

Cushion cut diamonds Oval diamonds

Overall, these two diamonds are incredibly different. A cushion cut diamond ring generally produces a more brilliant shine than that of an oval cut diamond ring. The facets of a cushion diamond ring are more condensed, allowing the ring to produce much more shine. Oval cut diamonds win over cushion cut diamonds in terms of size though. With diamonds the exact same weight, the oval diamond will appear to be larger simply because of its elongated length. However, cushion cuts are square, and therefore, the stone will produce a fuller effect on the wearer’s finger than an oval cut due to its width.

Cushion cut diamonds

The cushion cut diamond can be either square or rectangular and its corners are rounded. This diamond cut gets its name because the finished product resembles the cushion of a pillow. Although this is the typical form, cushion cut diamonds come in several different variants which may affect the stone’s shape or the arrangement of its facets. Because of the many variations this diamond cut has, the sparkle may also change. Some cushion cut diamonds have a higher intensity of sparkle than others due to the different arrangement of facets. For example, some “chunky” cushion cut diamonds may show less sparkle than the incredibly reflective and sparkly “crushed ice” diamond. Overall, however, the cushion cut diamond was originally developed for the intent to increase the intensity of sparkle.

Although the name of the cushion cut is relatively new, the actual cut dates back to the nineteenth century as the “mine cut.” This name stems from the Brazilian mines from where these diamonds were usually found.

Due to the symmetry, this cut is a perfect choice for any modern or elegant bride as a cushion cut diamond engagement ring. Most popularly, cushion cut diamonds are paired with a halo setting or in a solitaire setting in order to show off their romantic nature. When buying a cushion cut diamond, it is suggested that the buyer knows their desired length to width ratio he or she wants before looking, as some cushion cuts are more rectangular than others.

Oval diamonds

The oval cut diamond is a perfect choice for almost any bride because its elongated shape makes it appear flattering on any shape and size of finger. That being said, however, there are so many variants of the oval cut that it is difficult to pin down its exact features. Oval diamonds, in general, are brilliant which means that they tend to be clearer and shinier due to their arrangement of their facets.

Oval diamonds are not a good shape to mask color within the stone; these stones tend to appear much warmer than diamonds of any other shape because of their large surface area that allows the color to saturate. However, oval cut diamonds are much better than most other shapes at hiding imperfections.

Oval diamonds have been around for hundreds of years, but the oval cut, as we know it today, was not created until 1957 when a Russian diamond cutter created it. This diamond cutter, Lazare Kaplan, intended on trying to fix diamonds that were deemed worthless into something slightly more worthwhile, but instead, he developed one of the most valuable diamond cuts of all time.

A few tips for first time oval buyers: know the desired length to width ratio and beware of the bowtie effect (a dark spot in the middle of the diamond that is unavoidable in an oval cut).