Cushion Fancy Cut Diamond
The Cushion Cut is a generic name for the Old Mine Cut
developed before the turn of the century; these days the name"
cushion" is often used for colored stones cut in this shape.
PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS AND CUTTING ISSUES
A Cushion Cut is a square or squarish-rectangular cut with rounded corners
and 58 brilliant-style facets that resemble a pillow shape, hence the name.
A hundred years ago, when Cushion Cuts were first developed, diamonds were not
cleaved into two pieces of rough, as they are today; they were ground down as a
single stone and the resulting polished was lumpy and thick. Cushion Cuts have
very thin girdles and bigger culets than today's full-cut diamonds.
Designers
are requesting Cushion Cuts with big culets, but, in general, the smaller the
culet, the better the stone. Older Cushion Cuts return light in blocky patterns;
newly cut ones return light in needlelike patterns.
MARKETS AND MARKETING
Cushion Cut diamonds are popular in matching pairs. They are especially
being used in larger-carat earrings and also as a center stone in rings. Cushion
Cuts first became popular again about ten years ago, and their popularity has
increased as designers and antique dealers continue to use them.
PRICING AND SUPPLY
Cushion Cuts offer a lot of weight at a moderate price. Larger Cushion Cut
diamonds sell for about 30 percent less than full-cuts of the same
weight, while smaller cuts sell for about the same. A 1-carat G/VS Cushion Cut
stone will sell from $2,800 to $3,800. Two-carat and up stones sell in the
$3,500 to $5,000 per carat range. The most popular sizes are .75 to 1.5 carats.
The availability of 2-carats and up is a problem because of the high demand for
larger stones, both by estate and antique dealers for replacement or repair and
by manufacturers.
WHAT BUYERS SHOULD LOOK FOR
Look for good clarity and color. Because Cushion Cuts have very thin
girdles, girdles on older ones are often chipped. Look for Cushion Cuts that are
symmetrical; off-shape ones are difficult to use. Look for a medium culet that
is not too heavy, unless you have a special reason to use this cut with a big
culet. Pick a mounting that's appropriate for the softer reflections and
refractions of a Cushion Cut. Old Mine Cuts were traditionally set in yellow
gold or silver with a patina or oxidation; therefore, they look better set in
matte metals rather than highly polished ones.