The Complete Guide to Elongated Cushion Cut Diamond

There are many diamond cuts, but perhaps the elongated cushion cut diamond is the most intriguing. If you’re trying to learn more about elongated cushion cut diamonds, you have come to the right place. This write-up will tell you everything you need to know about this mysterious diamond cut. We will also give you some valuable tips to keep in mind when shopping for diamonds with this type of cut. So, let’s get started.

What Is an Elongated Cushion Cut Diamond?

Many cushion cut diamonds are square – think of them as the shape of cushions. However, an elongated cushion cut diamond has a long and slender rectangular shape. In other words, they have a longer length-to-width ratio. When shopping for an elongated cushion cut diamond, you need to have an idea of what its length-to-width ratio should be.

Expert Tip: The longer the diamond, the more rare it is and the fewer options you have. Elongated cushion cut diamonds usually sparkle because they are traditionally brilliant cut stones.

Elongated cushion cut diamonds have been around for more than two centuries. However, the earlier versions had fewer facets compared to modern cuts. For the record, earlier elongated cushion cut diamonds had 48 facets, while modern diamonds have 64 facets. This hints that if you’re going for the bling and the sparkle, the modern cuts should be your go-to choice.

7 Tips for Shopping for Elongated Cushion Cut Diamond Ring

Here are some tips to consider when shopping for an elongated cushion cut diamond ring:

1. Distribution of the reflected light

Uneven light return can make or break the beauty of a diamond. Some elongated cushion cut diamonds don’t reflect light evenly. For instance, a spot in the center or around the edges might reflect more light than other parts of the diamond. So carefully scrutinize the diamond stone and ensure it evenly returns light from all different angles.

2. Know Whether You Want an Antique Or a Modern Elongated Cushion Cut Diamond

A good number of elongated cushion diamonds were crafted before we discovered how to get the most radiance out of a diamond cut. This isn’t to say that antique diamonds aren’t beautiful, but you can get more sparkle from a modern elongated cushion cut diamond.

3. Cut Quality

When it comes to elongated cushion cut diamonds, you can never compromise on the cut quality because it dramatically affects the diamond’s brilliance. Two main ways of determining the cut quality of a diamond include the light return and the shape appeal. Steer clear of any diamonds that have odd shapes, light return and obvious flaws.

4. Color

The color of an elongated cushion cut diamond is just as important as the cut. Go for anything not less than the J color if you’re going for a stone that looks white. For clarity, any grade above VS2 should serve you well. Elongated cushion cut diamonds don’t give off a lot of sparkle. As a result, the inclusions and the body tint tend to be more noticeable.

5. The Dealer

The dealer you’re working with is perhaps the most critical factor to consider if you’re looking for an elongated cushion cut diamond. If you go to a shady dealer, you’re more likely to lose your hard-earned money or return home with a substandard ring. A reputable dealer will advise you on which ring to buy and walk you through the 4cs of choosing an excellent diamond stone.

6. The Setting

The setting you choose for your elongated cushion cut diamond can make or break the aesthetics of the whole ring. Therefore, try different settings and determine which one best goes with your diamond. One thing to remember is that the setting should never be brighter than the diamond itself. In other words, the setting shouldn’t take attention away from the center stone. Available settings for elongated cushion cut diamond rings include platinum, yellow gold, rose gold, 14K, or 18K white gold.

7. The Table and the Depth

Ensure that the table and the depth are under 70%. This will help you filter out many low-quality diamonds, thus leaving you with more good options. An elongated cushion cut diamond with a higher table and depth is likely less flattering because it doesn’t reflect the light as well.

Shop Elongated Cushion Cut Rings

1 Carat Elongated Cushion Cut Diamond Ring Tips

If you’re buying a 1-carat elongated cushion cut diamond, it’s best to consider the clarity and color you’re going for. For instance, go for diamonds with VS1 and VS2 clarity. Diamonds in these clarity grades will conceal most blemishes and inclusions from the naked eye. Also, choose a color between the range of G and I. It will appear just as white as the colors between the range of D and F, but you’ll pay much less.

Finally, you want to take into consideration the setting. Choosing the best setting for your elongated diamond ring depends on your preference. However, you must ensure that it perfectly complements the center stone and doesn’t take attention away from it. Most importantly, fit the ring and double-check that it sits comfortably on your finger and steadily holds the diamond.

2 Carat Elongated Cushion Cut Diamond Ring Tips

For 2-carat elongated cushion cut diamonds, color, clarity, and the ring’s setting remain essential. We still recommend that you choose a color in the range of G and I. You can go for colors in the higher rank, for instance, those within the range of D and F, but you’ll hardly notice the difference. Just note that you’ll likely pay more for higher clarity.

For clarity, go for VS1 or VS2, at least. It can be difficult to find well-cut diamonds in this grade. Thus, you cannot compromise on the clarity.

No two diamonds are cut equally. Examine each diamond individually and double-check that you like the light return, the fire, and the sparkle.

3 Carat Elongated Cushion Cut Diamond Ring Tips

When buying a 3-carat elongated cushion cut diamond ring, focus on VS1 and VS2 clarity. You can also find some excellent options at SI (slightly included) clarity that are less expensive. Diamonds in this range of clarity have small imperfections and microscopic flaws which won’t be obvious to the eye of a casual observer. Ensure that whichever diamond you choose doesn’t show any blemishes and inclusions to the naked eye.

4 Carat Elongated Cushion Cut Diamond Ring Tips

Four carats is an excellent diamond weight, but that doesn’t mean the stone will automatically look beautiful. If you overlook the stone’s cut, clarity, and color, you could end up with a mediocre ring. For this carat size, we recommend you stick to colors between G and I if you’re on a budget. Nothing should stop you from choosing higher colors if you want to make a statement. Of course, you’re going for an elongated cushion cut diamond. However, closely monitor how the diamond has been cut and ensure the light return and fire of the diamond are not compromised.

We recommend you narrow your focus to rings with VS1and VS2 clarity. At this clarity level, any inclusions and blemishes will not be obvious.

5 Carat Elongated Cushion Cut Diamond Ring Tips

Five carats is an ideal diamond weight, but you could still make a poor choice if you’re not careful. If the diamond is not well-cut, then the stone will have poor light return. As a result, many won’t find it appealing. So, carefully examine the cut, the table, and the depth and ensure the light returns and the brilliance is top-notch. At this point, you also want to avoid diamonds with strong fluorescence because they usually appear foggy under direct sunlight.

Regardless of the number of carats you’re going for, here are additional tips to remember when purchasing a diamond:

• Stay away from diamonds not certified by the GIA or the AGS: These organizations are reputable sources for grading and generating reports for diamonds. Any lab report not produced by either of these two organizations should be analyzed with a grain of salt. If a dealer offers you a diamond that’s not certified by the GIA or the AGS, don’t hesitate to decline the offer because you may regret it in the long run.
• Avoid diamonds that exhibit obvious flaws to the naked eye: Diamonds that have too many blemishes are difficult to sell. So, don’t skimp on the quality if you intend to get a diamond that will act as an investment for the future.
• One last general tip is regarding the dealer you’re working with: Go for dealers with decades of experience behind them and know exactly what they are doing. Also, work with a reputable and honest dealer because they will help you make the right choice if you get stuck or overwhelmed. Scammy dealers may take advantage of you and sell you diamonds that don’t have much value. Also, stay away from salespeople pressuring you into making a decision. Choosing a diamond is a stressful process, especially for beginners, and rushing is usually a recipe for a regrettable purchase decision.

Radiant Cut Diamond vs. Elongated Cushion

Both the radiant cut diamond and the elongated cushion cut diamonds have a rectangular shape making it hard to tell them apart, especially from afar. However, you’ll notice the difference when you look at the corners more closely. In a radiant cut diamond, for example, the corners are cut at a 45-degree angle, giving it a geometric look.

On the other hand, a cushion cut diamond has softer, rounder, and curved corners. The final product takes a shape somewhere between a circle and a rectangle.

In many cases, you’ll be able to differentiate a cushion cut diamond from a radiant cut diamond by simply looking at the shape. However, this isn’t always the case. For example, another significant difference between the two cuts is the length-to-width ratio. Radiant cut diamonds have a wide range of length-to-width ratios ranging from square to distinctly rectangular. Cushion cut diamonds, on the other hand, have length-to-width ratios that typically range from 1.0 to 1.09. As a result, the final product is usually a square. Although very rare, a few elongated cushion cut diamonds are rectangular and not square.

Radiant cut diamonds are usually more flattering and give off a lot of sparkle. This is because they have many facets and a larger table with a wide surface area that returns more light. But this doesn’t mean that cushion cut diamonds are any less beautiful. Elongated cushion cut diamonds are good at producing bright-colored light reflections. In other words, radiant cut diamonds give off more brilliance while elongated cushion cut diamonds give off more fire.

Should You Buy Lab-Grown Elongated Cushion Diamonds?

Buying a lab-grown diamond isn’t always a great idea and for a good reason. In fact, we advise our clients to stay away from lab-grown diamonds at all costs. For one, a lab-grown diamond has little to no resale value. This means you might spend a lot of money buying a lab-grown diamond, but if you ever decide to sell it, you’ll barely make anything.

Secondly, you might be unable to differentiate between a lab-grown diamond and a natural diamond with the naked eye. But this doesn’t mean that the difference is non-existent. Under a microscope, a lab-grown diamond is very different from a natural diamond because of its internal structure. Before you make a purchase decision, we recommend that you do a little digging. And finding out why lab-grown diamonds are a scam is a good place to start.

Talk to a Diamond Expert

Do you have any questions about elongated cushion cut diamonds? Estate Diamond Jewelry is at your disposal. We have a talent pool of jewelry experts with decades of experience. They will be willing to answer any questions you might have without bias. They can also advise you on which ring gives the most value for your money.

If you are interested in buying an elongated diamond engagement ring, we have a lot of exciting pieces in our catalog. To see them, you can visit our showroom in New York. Not in New York? Don’t fret, we also provide video call consultations.