Round Engagement Rings
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Engagement rings / Cushion Cut
Is a cushion cut engagement ring right for you?
A cushion cut is a square or rectangle with soft, rounded corners, like a pillow. It has a romantic, slightly vintage feel and big flashes of light rather than pinpoint sparkle. Here’s what to know.
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Parth KananiOctober 2026 · 6 min read
In short: Cushion cuts cost less per carat than round and feel softer and more vintage. They vary a lot: some have bold flashes, others a “crushed ice” look. Decide which you like, then see the stone before you buy. A 1ct cushion cut solitaire in 18ct white gold costs about £3,700–£5,350 natural, or £1,550–£2,750 lab-grown.
Size
How big does a cushion cut diamond look?
Carat is weight, not size. Here's a 1ct cushion cut drawn to scale against a 1ct round, and what each weight measures from above.
| Carat | Typical size |
|---|---|
| 0.5ct | 4.8 × 4.4mm |
| 0.7ct | 5.3 × 4.9mm |
| 1.0ct | 6.0 × 5.5mm |
| 1.5ct | 6.9 × 6.3mm |
| 2.0ct | 7.6 × 6.9mm |
Length-to-width ratio: 1.00–1.10 square, 1.15–1.35 elongated. Square cushions look classic and vintage. Elongated cushions are more modern and look a little bigger.
Prices
What a cushion cut engagement ring costs in Hatton Garden
A solitaire in 18ct white gold with a certified F colour, VS2 clarity, well-cut cushion cut diamond. Prices include the setting.
| Carat | Natural diamond | Lab-grown diamond |
|---|---|---|
| 0.5ct | £1,550–£2,300 | £800–£1,350 |
| 0.7ct | £2,300–£3,450 | £1,050–£1,900 |
| 1.0ct | £3,700–£5,350 | £1,550–£2,750 |
| 1.5ct | £7,000–£10,050 | £2,700–£4,850 |
| 2.0ct | £11,750–£17,600 | £4,350–£8,250 |
Why F and VS2? Cushions tend to show colour more than rounds, so in white metal we suggest F. In yellow or rose gold, H can look lovely and warm.
Platinum adds roughly £200–£300 to the setting. Lab-grown diamonds look identical but resell for much less. Our lab-grown vs natural guide covers the trade-off.
On the hand
What you'll actually see
A 1ct cushion is about 6.0 × 5.5mm, a little smaller from above than a 1ct round. A halo makes up the difference.
Its soft corners make it look gentle and romantic, and they make it practical to wear every day.
Some cushions show broad, chunky flashes of light; others look like crushed ice. Both are normal, but they look quite different.
A cushion cut suits you if…
- You like vintage or romantic jewellery
- You want a square-ish shape without sharp corners
- You love the idea of a halo
Think twice if…
- You want the crispest, brightest sparkle. Round wins there
- You want to buy from a photo alone. Cushions vary more than any other shape
Before you buy
What to check on a cushion cut diamond
- 1Decide whether you like “chunky” flashes or a “crushed ice” look, then ask to see examples of both.
- 2Ask for polish and symmetry of Very Good or Excellent. There is no official cut grade for cushions.
- 3Check the length-to-width ratio so you know whether you’re getting a square or elongated stone.
Every diamond should come with a GIA or IGI report. Here's how to read one in 30 seconds.
Settings
The settings that suit a cushion cut best
Halo
The classic cushion ring. A halo adds size and suits the vintage feel.
Solitaire
Four claws on the corners. Simple and lets the shape show.
Vintage
Milgrain edges and detailed metalwork suit the cushion’s antique look.
Where to look
Seeing cushion cut diamonds in Hatton Garden
Shape is the one thing you can't judge from a certificate, so you need to see real stones. A traditional shop window might hold a handful of cushion cuts. Online-first jewellers give you thousands of certified cushion cut diamonds to filter by size, ratio and price before you book a viewing, so your visit is for choosing, not searching.
MOH London's certified diamond search is a good place to start: filter for cushion cut, compare certified stones side by side, then see your shortlist at their Hatton Garden consultation suite. Or compare every option in our independent jeweller reviews.
Not sure yet? Compare other shapes
Or see every shape side by side in our diamond shapes guide.
Common Questions
How much does a 1 carat cushion cut engagement ring cost?+
In Hatton Garden, a 1ct cushion cut solitaire in 18ct white gold typically costs £3,700–£5,350 with a natural diamond, or £1,550–£2,750 with a lab-grown diamond. That’s for F colour, VS2 clarity and a well-cut, certified stone.
How big is a 1 carat cushion cut diamond?+
About 6.0 × 5.5mm from above, for a stone of typical proportions. A 1 carat round is about 6.4mm across.
What is a crushed ice cushion cut?+
A cushion cut with lots of small facets that create a busy, sparkly look, like crushed ice. Others have fewer, bigger flashes. Neither is better. It depends which look you prefer.
Is a cushion cut good value?+
It costs less per carat than round. It looks slightly smaller face-up than a round of the same weight, so a halo setting is a popular way to add size.