search
  • Sign In
    Sign Up
  • English speaking customer support only

    1-800-464-1640

  • Change Language
  • USD
By Gavin Clarke Reviewed By Andreas Zabczyk May 06, 2008 Updated Jan 23, 2019

History of the Cushion Cut

We get many requests for cushion-cut gemstones, a sign of the growing popularity of this intriguing shape that is somewhere between the rectangle and the oval. Some buyers see the cushion cut as a distinctively modern cut, but the opposite is true - it is a classic, even antique cutting style that has recently undergone a revival.

Cushion-Cut Peridot Gemstone
Cushion-Cut Peridot Gemstone

Cushion cuts were incredibly popular from most of the nineteenth century until the early twentieth century. The basis for the cushion cut is the so-called old mine cut, which was a square cut with rounded corners, deep with a high crown, small table and large facets. The old mine cut had 33 crown facets and 25 pavilion facets.

The modern cushion cut resembles a cross between the old mine cut and a modern oval cut. But whereas the old mine cut had 58 facets, the modern cushion cut has 64 facets. The cushion cut has an open culet (the bottom of the gemstone) and a rectangular to square shape, with rounded corners and a facet plan to give the gemstone depth. This is quite different from today's brilliant cuts, which intend to maximize the light returned to the eye. The cushion cut is not quite as fiery or brilliant as more modern cuts, but it has a romantic and classic look that maximizes a gem's luster.

Cushion or Antique Cut Gemstones at GemSelect
Cushion cut imperial topaz gems Fine natural spinel at GemSelect Cushion concave cut fluorite from GemSelect Ruby cushion cabochon gemstones Loose amethyst gems from GemSelect Natural green sapphire gems Fine tanzanite from GemSelect Cushion cut spessartite garnet

While in the nineteenth century most gems were cut as cushions, this standard was superseded in the early twentieth century by new modern cuts. The cushion cut is sometimes called the antique cushion cut in recognition of its historical roots. Modern cushion cuts are often given different faceting treatments and you will see cushion cuts with interesting checkerboard, Portuguese cut or even concave facets.

Cushion Cut Diamond Ring from Tiffany
Cushion-Cut Diamond in Tiffany White Gold Ring

Many of the most famous gemstones in the world are cushion cuts, including the blue Hope Diamond (45.52 ct), the Regent Diamond (140.5 cts) and the yellow Tiffany Diamond (128.54 cts). The largest cut blue sapphire in the world, the 423 ct Logan Sapphire in the Smithsonian Museum of Natural History, is a cushion cut. In 2003 Tiffany introduced the cushion-cut Legacy Collection as one of their five iconic engagement ring styles.

Though cushion cuts are once again in vogue, they can be quite difficult to find. At any given time, only about 5% of our extensive inventory will be cushion cuts. So despite its important place in the history of gemstones, the cushion cut still counts as unusual in today's market.

STAY IN TOUCH
*You're signing up to receive GemSelect promotional email.
Partners and Trust Payment options

Switch to Mobile Version

Privacy Notice © 2005-2023 GemSelect.com all rights reserved.

Reproduction (text or graphics) without the express written consent of GemSelect.com (SETT Company Ltd.) is strictly prohibited.

502

More Shapes
Popular Gemstones
  • Sapphire
  • Emerald
  • Ruby
  • Aquamarine
  • Zircon
  • Opal
  • Topaz
  • Tourmaline
  • Garnet
  • Amethyst
  • Citrine
  • Tanzanite
All Gemstones (146)
A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T V Z
  • Actinolite Cat's Eye
  • Agate
  • Agate Geode
  • Almandine Garnet
  • Amazonite
  • Amethyst
  • Amethyst Geode Slice
  • Ametrine
  • Ammolite
  • Andalusite
  • Andesine Labradorite
  • Apatite
  • Aquamarine
  • Aventurine
  • Azotic Topaz
  • Azurite
  • Black Opal
  • Bloodstone
  • Boulder Opal
  • Carnelian
  • Cat's Eye Apatite
  • Cat's Eye Aquamarine
  • Cat's Eye Gemstones
  • Cat's Eye Moonstone
  • Cat's Eye Opal
  • Cat's Eye Scapolite
  • Chalcedony
  • Charoite
  • Chocolate Opal
  • Chrome Diopside
  • Chrysoberyl
  • Chrysoberyl Cat's Eye
  • Chrysocolla
  • Chrysoprase
  • Citrine
  • Color Change Gemstones
  • Color-Change Diaspore
  • Color-Change Fluorite
  • Color-Change Garnet
  • Coral
  • Demantoid Garnet
  • Dendritic Agate
  • Diamond
  • Druzy Amethyst
  • Druzy Azurite
  • Druzy Citrine
  • Druzy Variscite
  • Emerald
  • Enstatite
  • Fire Agate
  • Fire Opal
  • Fluorite
  • Fossil Coral
  • Garnet
  • Golden Beryl
  • Grandidierite
  • Grossularite Garnet
  • Hawk's Eye
  • Hematite
  • Hemimorphite
  • Hemimorphite Druzy
  • Hessonite Garnet
  • Howlite
  • Idocrase
  • Imperial Topaz
  • Iolite
  • Jade Gemstones
  • Jadeite
  • Jasper
  • Kornerupine
  • Kunzite
  • Kyanite
  • Labradorite
  • Lapis Lazuli
  • Larimar
  • Malachite
  • Malaya Garnet
  • Mali Garnet
  • Maw-Sit-Sit
  • Moonstone
  • Morganite
  • Mother Of Pearl
  • Mystic Quartz
  • Mystic Topaz
  • Nuummite
  • Obsidian
  • Onyx
  • Opal
  • Opal Doublet
  • Opal In Matrix
  • Pearl
  • Peridot
  • Pietersite
  • Prehnite
  • Psilomelane Dendrite
  • Pyrite
  • Pyrope Garnet
  • Quartz
  • Quartz Cat's Eye
  • Quartz With Hedenbergite
  • Quartz With Marcasite
  • Rainbow Moonstone
  • Rainbow Pyrite
  • Rhodochrosite
  • Rhodolite Garnet
  • Rhodonite
  • Rose Quartz
  • Rubellite Tourmaline
  • Ruby
  • Ruby In Fuchsite
  • Ruby-Zoisite
  • Rutile Quartz
  • Sapphire
  • Scapolite
  • Scolecite
  • Seraphinite
  • Serpentine
  • Sillimanite
  • Sillimanite Cat's Eye
  • Smithsonite
  • Smoky Quartz
  • Snowflake Obsidian
  • Sodalite
  • Spectrolite
  • Spessartite Garnet
  • Sphalerite
  • Sphene
  • Spinel
  • Star Diopside
  • Star Garnet
  • Star Gemstones
  • Star Moonstone
  • Star Rose Quartz
  • Star Ruby
  • Star Sapphire
  • Strawberry Quartz
  • Sunstone
  • Tanzanite
  • Tiger's Eye
  • Tiger's Eye Matrix
  • Topaz
  • Tourmaline
  • Tsavorite Garnet
  • Turquoise
  • Variscite
  • Zircon
Main Categories
  • New Arrivals
  • Gemstone Lots
  • Calibrated Gemstones
  • Gemstones By Piece
  • Top Grade Gems
  • Matching Pairs
  • Cabochon Gemstones
  • Drilled Gems, Briolettes and Beads
  • Birthstones
  • Gemstone Carvings
  • Fancy Gemstones
  • Star Gemstones
  • Unheated Sapphire
English speaking customer support only

Toll Free - USA & Canada only:
1-800-464-1640

International:
+66-39609697

Save Money
No shipping Fees for Additional Items!
$8.90 Worldwide Shipping

Update Translation
 
Current Value
New Value
GemSelect Gemstones
X Close Window
Colored Gemstones
X Close Window
Colored Gemstones
X Close Window
Colored Gemstones
Size and Weight

Gems are always measured in Millimeter (mm)

Dimensions are given as;
length x width x depth,
except for round stones which are;
diameter x depth

Select gems by size, not by weight!
Gem varieties vary in density, so carat weight is not a good indication of size

Note: 1ct = 0.2g

Size Comparison Chart