Elongated Cushion Cut Diamonds & Engagement Rings
What is an elongated cushion cut?
The elongated cushion cut diamond is a magnificent variation of the traditional cushion cut, featuring a stretched silhouette. When it comes to cushion cuts, you’ll find that the traditional and more popular ratio of 1:1- 1:1.05 makes up the majority of the market. At a glance, these cushion cut diamonds will appear more square or round in shape, albeit with softened, rounded corners.
Enter elongated cushion cuts. The ratio for these are usually at 1:1.15 up to 1:1.30 or higher if you want something that’s incredibly elongated. This results in a stone shape that more closely resembles the octagonal silhouette of a radiant cut diamond or an emerald cut diamond (rectangular from a distance). Its elongated proportions make it a popular choice for engagement rings and other statement pieces, as it elongates the finger and creates a captivating presence on the finger.
The elongated cushion cut showcases a symmetrical arrangement of facets meticulously arranged to maximise the stone’s brilliance and fire. Its larger table facets and broader crown facets allow for optimal light reflection and refraction, resulting in a subtle display of scintillation and flashes of sparkle. Evolving directly from the vintage Old Mine cut diamonds, elongated cushion cuts have a softer sparkle to them, often said to be more romantic. This cut also offers a generous surface area, enabling the gemstone to exhibit its colour and clarity with exceptional depth and vibrancy.
The elongated cushion diamonds exude a soft rectangular appearance akin to the regal emerald cut or radiant cut, rather than the more traditional rounded-square shape associated with the classic cushion cut.
With its balanced proportions and remarkable play of light, this cut exemplifies the pinnacle of gemstone artistry, appealing to connoisseurs and enthusiasts alike.
Cushion Cut Engagement Rings
What is the ideal ratio for an elongated cushion cut?
The ideal ratio for an elongated cushion cut varies depending on personal preferences and the desired aesthetics of the gemstone. However, a popular range for the length-to-width ratio of an elongated cushion cut is approximately 1:1.15 to 1:1:40.
The length-to-width ratio is determined by dividing the length of the gemstone by its width. For example, if a gemstone measures 10 millimeters in length and 7 millimeters in width, the ratio would be 1:1:43.
A ratio of 1:1 represents a perfectly square cushion cut, while a higher ratio signifies a more elongated shape. The choice of ratio depends on individual taste and style preferences. Some individuals may prefer a more elongated silhouette, while others may opt for a slightly squarer appearance.
Are elongated cushion cut diamonds rare?
Elongated cushion cut diamonds are considered to be relatively rare in comparison to other diamond shapes.
Elongated cushion cut diamonds with the traditional, more squared ratio and below are relatively common in the market, while cushion diamonds with extra slender proportions, characterised by a length-to-width ratio exceeding 1.15 are definitely more scarce in the diamond market.
Due to the rarity of elongated cushion cut diamonds, they’ll likely command a higher price point. The reason that elongated cushion cut diamonds are so rare can be attributed to several factors. Firstly, the cutting process requires larger rough diamonds to preserve the desired proportions and simply put, a higher carat weight rough diamond will result in more waste when it comes to being cut into its desired shape. Additionally, the demand for cushions of elongated proportions is lower in comparison to their traditional counterparts which means fewer are cut, resulting in higher price points.
Are elongated cushion cut diamonds more expensive?
As the question prior may indicate, elongated cushion cut diamonds typically command a higher price point than traditional ratio cushion cut diamonds.
While elongated cushion cut diamonds can be sought after for their streamlined, elegant appearance, their pricing is influenced by a combination of factors such as carat weight, cut quality, colour grade, clarity grade, as well as overall market demand. For example, larger carat weights, higher colour and clarity grades, and exceptional cut quality can all contribute to a higher price point. We always recommend choosing the quality characteristic that’s most important to you as a priority, and then using the remaining percentage of your price point to balance out amongst the other characteristics.
Pros of elongated cushion cut diamonds
Brilliance: Also known as sparkle. The elongated cushion cut’s unique faceting pattern allows for remarkable light performance. Its larger facets and table create a dazzling display of brilliance, fire, and scintillation, captivating the eyes with a mesmerising play of light, often said to be a romantic glow best viewed in candlelight.
Flattering: The elongated shape of cushion cut diamonds can have a flattering effect on the wearer’s hand as they move with the natural lines and curves of the finger.
Versatile: Elongated cushion cut diamonds lend themselves to a whole host of setting styles. They can be beautifully showcased in solitaire rings, halo designs, three-stone settings, or even as the centrepiece of elaborate vintage-inspired designs. Their versatility allows for personalisation like no other.
Uniqueness: Just 3% of our rings are crafted with cushion cut centre diamonds, with the elongated cushion shape featuring even less. Given this, the elongated cushion cut has an air of exclusivity surrounding them. Their distinctive shape sets them apart, making them an excellent choice for those seeking a unique and entirely original jewellery design.
Balance: Elongated cushion cut diamonds strike a harmonious balance between traditional and modern design elements. They possess the vintage charm of cushion cuts while incorporating a sleek elongation, appealing to those who are looking for the lean lines of contemporary design.
Illusion of Size: Due to their shape, elongated cushion cut diamonds can appear larger than other diamond shapes of the same carat weight. This makes them a popular choice for those seeking maximum impact on the finger without compromising on quality.
A Celebrity Favourite: Elongated cushion cut diamonds have garnered popularity among celebrities and influencers alike. And who could blame them? Their unique and glamorous appearance has been showcased in various high-profile engagements, adding to their allure and desirability.
Cons of elongated cushion cut diamonds
While elongated cushion cut diamonds offer many desirable qualities, it’s important to consider the following before making your decision:
Less Popular: Elongated cushion cut diamonds are generally less popular compared to other diamond shapes such as round brilliant or princess cuts. With less availability, finding a wide selection of options can be challenging, especially if you have specific preferences for colour, clarity, or other diamond characteristics.
Vulnerability to Imperfections: Due to their generous facets and surface area, elongated cushion cut diamonds may be more susceptible to revealing any internal inclusions, also known as clarity characteristics. At Taylor & Hart, we twice-inspect every single one of our diamonds before it’s set to ensure it looks absolutely beautiful to the naked eye.
Potential Bowtie Effect: Some elongated cushion cut diamonds may exhibit a bowtie effect, which is a dark shadow that resembles a bowtie-shaped pattern that is sometimes present in elongated diamond shapes. While this effect can detract from the overall brilliance of the diamond, it’s important to note that all of our diamonds are meticulously inspected, not once, but twice, to ensure there isn’t a strongly visible bow tie.
Elongated Cushion Cut vs Oval
When comparing an elongated cushion cut and an oval cut, there are several factors to consider that differentiate these two diamond shapes:
Shape: The elongated cushion cut features softly rounded corners and a more rectangular or square silhouette, while the oval cut is characterised by its more prominently rounded ends and elongated shape. The elongated cushion cut has a more symmetrical appearance, while the oval cut has a more fluid and curvaceous silhouette.
Faceting: Both shapes have different faceting patterns, but there’s no denying both of them sparkle. The elongated cushion cut typically features larger facets and a more pronounced pattern, which can create broad flashes of brilliance. In contrast, the oval cut has a more traditional brilliant-cut faceting pattern, providing a balanced blend of brilliance and fire.
Finger Coverage: Elongated cushion cut diamonds tend to have a greater face-up presence and provide more finger coverage due to their wider top surface. Oval diamond engagement rings on the other hand, can appear slightly smaller than a cushion cut diamond of the same carat as they’re typically more deep.
Oval Diamond Engagement Rings
Elongated Cushion Cut vs Radiant
Shape: The elongated cushion cut has rounded corners resulting in a soft-edged rectangular or square silhouette, while the radiant cut is characterised by trimmed corners in an almost octagonal shape.
Faceting: Elongated cushion cut diamonds often feature larger facets and a unique faceting pattern that creates a mix of brilliance and fire. Radiant cut diamonds, on the other hand, have a brilliant-cut faceting pattern with a series of smaller facets that maximise the diamond’s ability to reflect light, resulting in exceptional sparkle, sometimes known as the ‘crushed ice’ effect.
Brilliance vs. Vintage Charm: Radiant cut diamonds are known for their remarkable brilliance, as they have numerous facets that enhance light performance. Elongated cushion cut diamonds, while still brilliant, offer a more vintage-inspired charm and softer appeal due to their larger, more pronounced facets.
Radiant Diamond Engagement Rings
Elongated Cushion Cut vs Emerald
Shape: The elongated cushion cut has rounded corners and a rectangular or square overall shape, whereas the emerald cut is characterised by its step-cut facets, linear lines, and trimmed corners. The elongated cushion cut has a softer and more rounded edge appearance, while the emerald cut showcases a more geometric and clean shape.
Faceting: Elongated cushion cut diamonds typically feature larger facets and a unique faceting pattern that results in a mix of brilliance and fire. In contrast, the emerald cut is known for its step-cut facets, with fewer facets that create long, open, and parallel facets, that result in flashes of light instead of intense sparkle.
Clarity: The emerald cut’s more open facet structure means that clarity characteristics are easier to spot. Because of this, we recommend a clarity grade of VS2 and higher to ensure a completely eye-clean appearance, although our skilled team will always double check our diamonds to ensure they’re excellent quality. The more scattered and less-uniform facet structure of elongated cushion cut diamonds can help mitigate the visibility of inclusions to some extent.
Emerald Diamond Engagement Rings
As with anything, deciding on your diamond shape is really down to personal preference and every single one of the shapes can be appreciated for their own unique qualities.
How to choose an Elongated Cushion Cut Engagement Ring
Choosing an engagement ring with an elongated cushion cut requires careful consideration. Here are some key factors to keep in mind:
Budget: Determine your budget and prioritise the 4 Cs of diamond quality based on your preferences. If size on the finger is most important to you, prioritise a higher carat weight. Optimise your clarity grade to ensure brilliance and minimal clarity inclusions.
Gemstone: If you’ve fallen for the elongated cushion shape, but aren’t 100% convinced on a diamond, this beautiful silhouette is also available in coloured gemstones such as sapphire or ruby.
Length-to-Width Ratio: The length-to-width ratio significantly impacts the appearance of an elongated cushion gem. Aim for a ratio between 1.15 and 1.40 to achieve a noticeably elongated shape. Ratios below 1.10 can appear like an imbalanced version of a traditional cushion cut, while ratios over 1.5 may result in a very narrow-looking stone, but as with everything jewellery design, the choice is yours.
Setting: Elongated cushion cut diamonds work with a wide variety of setting styles. Cushion cut halo engagement rings enhance the diamond’s brightness and create the illusion of a larger stone. Modern interpretations of vintage settings or sleek solitaires can also be excellent choices. Opt for secure settings like six-claw, double claw, or bezel settings, or consider a hidden halo design accent to add a special touch to your ring.
Celebrities with elongated cushion cut diamonds
While timeless cushion cut diamond engagement rings have been favoured by celebrities like Leighton Meester and Meghan Markle, a growing number of stars are opting for a more distinctive twist by embracing the allure of their elongated counterparts.
Renowned personalities such as Kim Kardashian, Sofia Vergara, and Natalie Joy, the fiancée of Nick Viall, have proudly showcased their engagement rings adorned with elongated cushion cut diamonds. With their undeniable appeal, these stretched cushions capture the spotlight and offer a touch of individuality to their wearer’s style.
By choosing elongated cushion cuts, celebrities are able to make a statement with their engagement rings, highlighting their preference for a larger-looking centre stone while embracing the beauty of the soft rounded edges. This trend not only provides a fresh twist on a classic shape but also showcases the ongoing evolution of engagement ring styles in the world of celebrity fashion.
While cushion cut diamonds themselves are sought after for their timeless appeal and romantic charm, the elongated variation adds an extra sprinkle of uniqueness to your most treasured jewellery piece.
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