Why you should pick Elongated Cushion Cut Diamonds?

Are you in search of a diamond shape that amalgamates the classic elegance of a cushion cut with the contemporary flair of a rectangular silhouette? If yes, then you might want to consider an elongated cushion cut diamond. This diamond shape has gained popularity in recent years, particularly for engagement rings, as it offers a unique and stunning look that stands out from the crowd. 

In this guide, we will explain everything you need to know about elongated cushion cut diamonds, including their characteristics, advantages, disadvantages, and how to choose the perfect one for your ring.

I. What are elongated cushion cut diamonds?

An elongated cushion cut diamond is a variant of the traditional cushion cut. It has a square or slightly rectangular shape with rounded corners and sides, resembling a pillow. The diamond’s length-to-width ratio determines how square or rectangular it appears. For example, a 1:1 ratio means the diamond is perfectly square, while a 1:1.5 ratio means it is 50% longer than its width.

Compared to other rectangular cuts, like the emerald or radiant cut, the elongated cushion cut diamond has softer curves and rounded edges, making it more romantic and feminine. It also has more facets, such as the diamond’s flat surfaces reflecting light and creating sparkle. Typically, it has 58 facets, but this can vary based on the style and cut quality.

II. Why Choose an Elongated Cushion Cut Diamond?

Elongated cushion cut diamonds have several advantages that make them a desirable choice for many jewelry lovers, such as the following:

• Brilliance and Sparkle: Elongated cushion cut diamonds have a high level of brilliance and sparkle, also known as brilliance, fire, and scintillation. Brilliance is the white light that is reflected from the diamond, fire is the colored light that is dispersed from the diamond, and scintillation is the flashes of light that are seen when the diamond or the observer moves. Elongated cushion-cut diamonds have a balanced combination of brilliance, fire, and scintillation, giving them a lively and eye-catching look. The brilliance and sparkle of elongated cushion cut diamonds can vary depending on the style, cut quality, lighting conditions, and setting of the diamond.
• Illusion of Size: Elongated cushion cut diamonds have a shape that creates an illusion of size, making them look more significant than their actual weight. The elongated cushion-cut diamond has a rectangular shape with rounded corners and sides, creating a soft and elegant look. The shape can vary from slightly elongated to very elongated depending on the length-to-width ratio. The length-to-width ratio is the proportion of the diamond’s length (the longer side) to its width (the shorter side), determining how square or rectangular the diamond appears.
• Flattering Finger Silhouette: Elongated cushion cut diamonds have a shape that creates a flattering finger silhouette, making them look more slender and graceful. The elongated cushion cut diamond has a shape that elongates the finger and enhances the hand, drawing the eye along the finger’s length. The elongated cushion cut diamond also has a shape that complements any finger size and shape, as it has rounded edges and softer curves that do not create harsh lines or angles. The elongated cushion cut diamond is especially suitable for people with short or wide fingers, as it can make them look longer and narrower.

III. How to Pick the Best Elongated Cushion Cut Diamond

Choosing the perfect elongated cushion cut diamond can be challenging, as there are many factors to consider and options to choose from. However, following some simple tips and recommendations can make the process easier and more enjoyable. 

Here are some of the most important aspects to look for when selecting an elongated cushion cut diamond:

Elongated cushion cut diamonds are a popular and versatile diamond shape that combines the classic elegance of a cushion cut with the modern flair of a rectangular silhouette. To pick the best elongated cushion-cut diamond, you need to consider the following aspects:

• Cut: The cut is the most critical factor, as it affects the sparkle and the shape of the diamond. You want a diamond with a good quality cut, which means it has a balanced shape, a high level of sparkle, and minimal light leakage or dark areas. You can check the cut quality by looking at the certificate, the online tools, or the jeweler’s opinion.
• Color: Color is the second most crucial factor, affecting contrast and value. You want a diamond with a low color grade, meaning it has less yellow tint and more white light. You can save money by choosing a lower color grade, such as G or H, as the diamond can hide color better than other shapes. However, if you want a more colorless and brilliant diamond, you can opt for a higher color grade, such as D or E, but you will have to pay more for it.
• Clarity: Clarity is the third most important factor, as it affects the diamond’s purity and rarity. You want a diamond with a high clarity grade, meaning it has fewer or more minor flaws that are not visible to the naked eye. You can save money by choosing a lower clarity grade, such as VS2 or SI1, as the diamond can hide clarity better than other shapes. However, if you want a more flawless and rare diamond, you can opt for a higher clarity grade, such as VVS1 or IF, but you will have to pay more.
• Carat: Carat is the fourth most important factor, as it affects the diamond’s size and weight. You want a diamond with a carat weight that matches your finger size, ring style, and personal taste. You should also consider the diamond’s dimensions and proportions, as they can affect the size and appearance of the diamond. For example, a diamond with a good cut quality and a high length-to-width ratio can look larger than a diamond with a poor cut quality and a low length-to-width ratio, even if they have the same carat weight.
• Certification: A report from a reputable gemological laboratory, such as the GIA, indicates the diamond’s origin and quality. A certification guarantees the diamond is authentic, conflict-free, and accurately graded. You should look for a diamond with a certification from a reputable gemological laboratory, such as the GIA, as it will ensure you get the best value for your money.
• Customization: Customization is a modification or enhancement of the diamond to suit your preference. Customization can include the style, the setting, the metal, and the accent stones of the diamond. You should look for a diamond with a customization option that matches your style, as it will make your diamond more unique and special.
• Length-to-Width Ratio: The length-to-width ratio is the proportion of the diamond’s length to its width, determining how square or rectangular the diamond appears. The ideal length-to-width ratio for elongated cushion cut diamonds is between 1.1 and 1.2, creating a balanced and elegant shape that enhances the diamond’s brilliance and sparkle. However, personal preference and finger shape also play a role in choosing the correct ratio. You should look for a diamond with a length-to-width ratio that suits your personality, taste, and lifestyle.

IV. What is the difference between a cushion cut and an elongated cushion cut?

Both cushion-cut and elongated cushion-cut diamonds are variations of the same shape: a square or slightly rectangular shape with rounded corners and sides resembling a pillow. The main difference between them is the ratio of the diamond’s length (the longer side) to its width (the shorter side). 

A cushion cut diamond has a classic and symmetrical look that suits any style and occasion, with a length-to-width ratio close to 1:1, which means it’s almost as long as it is wide. This diamond shape is one of the oldest and most traditional, dating back to the 18th century. 

On the other hand, an elongated cushion cut diamond has a modern and elegant look that stands out from the crowd and enhances the hand, with a length-to-width ratio greater than 1:1, which means it’s longer than it is wide. This diamond shape is one of the most popular and trendy, especially for engagement rings, as it offers a unique and stunning look.

V. What is the difference between a cushion and an emerald cut?

Cushion cut and emerald cut are two diamond shapes that are square or slightly rectangular. Each shape has its own unique features and advantages.

The cushion cut has rounded corners and sides, which makes it look soft and romantic. It has more flat surfaces on the diamond, called facets, than emerald cut. A cushion cut usually has 58 facets. It has a high level of brilliance, fire, and scintillation, which are the white light, colored light, and flashes of light seen from the diamond. Cushion cut can also hide color and clarity better than other shapes because of its more facets and increased sparkle, which can mask yellow tint and flaws.

Emerald cut, on the other hand, has sharp corners and sides, which makes it look sleek and sophisticated. It has fewer facets than a cushion cut, usually around 57. It has a low level of brilliance, fire, and scintillation but a high level of luster, which is the reflection of light from the surface of the diamond. Emerald cut can also show color and clarity more than other shapes because of its fewer facets and less sparkle, which can reveal yellow tint and flaws.

VI. Our recommended brands for buying diamonds online.

Shopping for diamonds online can be a convenient and cost-effective way to find the ideal diamond for your ring. You can access a wide range of options, compare prices, and get expert advice. However, purchasing diamonds online can also be risky, as you may encounter scams, frauds, or low-quality diamonds. Therefore, it’s crucial to be vigilant and select a reputable and trustworthy seller. reliable jeweler for buying diamonds online.

Here are some of the factors that you should look for when choosing a good jeweler for buying diamonds online:

• Certification: A good jeweler should provide certification for every diamond that they sell, which is a report from a reputable gemological laboratory, such as the Gemological Institute of America (GIA), that indicates the origin and the quality of the diamond. A certification will guarantee that the diamond is authentic, conflict-free, and accurately graded. A good jeweler should also provide a unique identification number for every diamond that they sell, which can be verified on the laboratory’s website.
• Reviews: A good jeweler should have positive and consistent reviews from previous customers, which can be found on their website, social media, or third-party platforms, such as Trustpilot, Yelp, or Google. The reviews should reflect the quality, the service, and the satisfaction of the customers, as well as the reputation and the credibility of the jeweler. A good jeweler should also respond to the reviews, especially the negative ones, and address any issues or concerns that the customers may have.
• Customer Service: A good jeweler should provide excellent customer service, which includes friendly and knowledgeable staff, fast and free shipping, secure and easy payment, generous and flexible return policy, and lifetime warranty and maintenance. A good jeweler should also offer various communication channels, such as phone, email, chat, or video, and be available and responsive to answer any questions or requests that the customers may have.
• Selection: A reputable jeweler should have a diverse and extensive collection of diamonds, including different shapes, sizes, colors, clarities, and carats, as well as various styles, settings, metals, and accent stones. In addition, they should offer customization options that allow customers to modify or enhance their diamonds to meet their preferences and tastes. The jeweler should also provide high-quality images and videos of the diamonds, along with tools and features that help customers visualize and compare the diamonds, such as 360-degree view, zoom, magnification, or virtual try-on.

Based on these factors, some of the good jewelers that we can recommend for buying diamonds online are:

1. James Allen

James Allen is one of the leading online retailers of diamonds and jewelry, offering over 200,000 certified diamonds, as well as hundreds of ring styles and settings. James Allen provides a certification, a unique identification number, and a lifetime warranty for every diamond they sell. 

James Allen also provides high-quality images and videos of the diamonds, as well as a 360-degree view, a zoom, a magnification, and a virtual try-on. James Allen also provides excellent customer service, which includes friendly and knowledgeable staff, free shipping, easy payment, a 30-day return policy, and free resizing. 

James Allen also has positive and consistent reviews from previous customers, which can be found on their website, social media, or third-party platforms.

2. Blue Nile

Blue Nile is another leading online retailer of diamonds and jewelry, offering over 150,000 certified diamonds and hundreds of ring styles and settings. Blue Nile provides a certification, a unique identification number, and a lifetime warranty for every diamond they sell. 

Blue Nile also provides high-quality images and videos of the diamonds, as well as a 360-degree view, a zoom, a magnification, and a virtual try-on. Blue Nile also provides excellent customer service, which includes friendly and knowledgeable staff, free shipping, easy payment, a 30-day return policy, and free resizing. 

Blue Nile also has positive and consistent reviews from previous customers, which can be found on their website, social media, or third-party platforms.

3. Brilliant Earth

Brilliant Earth is another leading online retailer of diamonds and jewelry, offering over 100,000 certified diamonds and hundreds of ring styles and settings. Brilliant Earth provides a certification, a unique identification number, and a lifetime warranty for every diamond they sell. 

Brilliant Earth also provides high-quality images and videos of the diamonds, as well as a 360-degree view, a zoom, a magnification, and a virtual try-on. Brilliant Earth also provides excellent customer service, which includes friendly and knowledgeable staff, free shipping, easy payment, a 30-day return policy, and free resizing.

Brilliant Earth also has positive and consistent reviews from previous customers, which can be found on their website, social media, or third-party platforms. Brilliant Earth also specializes in ethical sourcing, meaning they only sell conflict-free, eco-friendly, or lab-grown diamonds.

Conclusion

Elongated cushion cut diamonds are a beautiful and versatile diamond shape that can make your ring look stunning and unique. However, before you buy one, you must know how to choose the best one. You need to consider the quality, the origin, the style, the shape, and the price of the diamond and the ring. By following this guide, you will be able to find the best-elongated cushion cut diamond that suits you and your partner, and that will make you happy and proud for years to come.

We hope you have enjoyed reading this guide and we hope you have found it helpful and informative. If you have any questions or comments, please contact us or leave a comment below. We wish you all the best in your diamond and ring shopping journey.