< Engagement Rings & Weddings / Engagement Ring Styles
A Complete Guide to Cushion Cut Engagement Rings
The cushion cut, one of the oldest diamond cuts, is having a resurgence, with Taylor Swift, Miley Cyrus, and Zendaya leading the charge.
Updated: February 9, 2026
Written by: Anna McFillin
Miley Cyrus and her partner Maxx Morando are officially engaged, and fans can’t stop talking about the stunning cushion cut engagement ring by Jacquie Aiche on her finger—and cushion cut diamonds in general. It’s the diamond cut taking celebrity engagements by storm.
This August, Travis Kelce proposed to Taylor Swift with an antique, elongated cushion cut engagement ring. The pop star and her football-player fiancé posted a carousel of photos from their proposal, including a close-up on the stunning 8-10-carat diamond, set on a hand-engraved yellow gold band. The ring reportedly cost up to $1M.
Meet the Author
- Anna McFillin, a Philadelphia native, discovered her passion for jewelry—especially natural diamonds—after roles at Elle, InStyle, Grazia USA, and Only Natural Diamonds.
- She brings a sharp eye and editorial voice to OND’s photoshoots, features, Q+As, shopping guides, and red carpet coverage—and styles her own natural diamonds through 13 distinctive ear piercings.
Zendaya and Tom Holland also got engaged this year with a cushion-cut engagement ring. The actress stepped onto the 2025 Golden Globes red carpet decked out in Bulgari jewels, but eagle-eyed fans noticed an unfamiliar ring on her left hand—one that wasn’t part of the brand’s official styling. Sources confirmed that Holland proposed with a 4-carat elongated cushion cut engagement ring, set east-west in a Georgian-style button-back setting. The ring is almost certainly a Jessica McCormack design, estimated to cost between $100K and $150K.
Ahead, we break down the origin and unique appeal of cushion cut engagement rings—plus editor-approved styles you can shop now.
The Origin of Cushion Cut Engagement Rings
The cushion cut is one of the oldest diamond cuts, and features a square or rectangular shape with rounded corners, resembling a pillow or cushion. Reminiscent of the old mine cut, it dates back to the 1700s. Today’s cushion cut engagement rings often feature either a square or rectangular silhouette, with the elongated version offering even more finger coverage. Back then, diamond cutters focused on preserving as much carat weight from the rough as possible, which is why antique cushion cuts often feel chunkier or more organic.
Modern cushion cut diamonds come in three main styles: brilliant, crushed ice, and antique (or old mine). Brilliant cushion cuts resemble traditional round brilliants and offer maximum sparkle. Crushed ice cushion cuts have numerous small facets that create a shimmering, almost frosty appearance. Antique cushion cuts, by contrast, feature larger facets that produce broad flashes of light and a romantic, vintage-inspired charm.
Why Cushion Cut Engagement Rings Are Hollywood’s Favorite
Cushion cut engagement rings have seen a steady rise in popularity over the last decade—thanks in no small part to their A-list fan base. In 2013, Kim Kardashian made headlines when Kanye West proposed with a 15-carat D-color, internally flawless cushion cut diamond by Lorraine Schwartz. The ring became an instant icon—though tragically, it was stolen during the infamous 2016 Paris hotel robbery and never recovered.
In 2017, Prince Harry proposed to Meghan Markle with a three-stone ring featuring a cushion cut center diamond sourced from Botswana, flanked by two round diamonds from Princess Diana’s collection. The choice was both sentimental and stylish—proving how cushion cut engagement rings can blend tradition and modernity.
Only Natural Diamonds cover star Gabrielle Union also wears a breathtaking cushion cut engagement ring. Her husband, Dwyane Wade, proposed with an 8.5-carat natural cushion cut diamond that reportedly cost over $1 million. Union told OND, “They started writing little op-eds about it and estimating what the cost might be, and I became terrified to wear it in public without a full armed security detail.”
Types of Cushion Cut Engagement Rings: Brilliant vs. Crushed Ice
When shopping for cushion cut engagement rings, understanding facet structure is key, as it directly affects sparkle, texture, and overall appearance.
Brilliant cushion cuts—technically classified by the GIA as “Modified cushion brilliant”—feature larger, symmetrical facets designed to maximize light return and deliver bold, classic sparkle. These are ideal for those who love high brilliance similar to a round diamond but want a softer, vintage-inspired outline.
Crushed ice cushion cuts—often graded as “Cushion modified mixed cut”—contain many smaller, irregular facets that create a glittering, icy shimmer rather than distinct flashes of light. This style feels more modern and can make inclusions less noticeable, though it tends to produce less dramatic fire than a brilliant-style cushion.
Antique or old mine cushion cuts, while not typically categorized under modern GIA cut styles, feature chunkier facets and a softer glow that appeals to lovers of true vintage character.
How to Choose the Perfect Cushion Cut Ring
Choosing between cushion cut engagement rings is about balancing beauty, personal taste, and how the diamond performs in real life.
- Which facet style do you prefer? Decide whether you’re drawn to the bold sparkle of a brilliant-style cushion or the shimmering texture of a crushed ice look. Cushion cut diamonds can also be more square or more rectangular (often referred to as elongated cushion cuts). If you prefer a more vintage feel, go for a squarer stone; for a more modern, finger-flattering look, elongated shapes are ideal.
- Which setting suits your style? Cushion cuts work beautifully in solitaires, halos, three-stone designs, and vintage-inspired settings, while east-west orientations offer a more modern feel.
- Why seeing the stone in person is important: Cushion cuts vary widely in facet patterns and light performance, making side-by-side comparison essential to understanding how a diamond truly looks beyond the certificate.
Shop Cushion Cut Engagement Rings
Ready to find the perfect cushion cut diamond ring? Use this guide to discover the most unique and stunning cushion cut engagement rings from some of our favorite designers.
White Space Champagne Diamond Bubble Solitaire Ring, $5,980, whitespace.com
Lizzie Mandler CUSHION CUT DIAMOND WITH TWO-TONE SIGNATURE KNIFE-EDGE BAND, price upon request, lizziemandler.com
Rahaminov Cushion Cut Ring, price upon request, rahaminov.com
Jessica McCormack East-West Cushion Diamond Button Back Ring, price upon request, jessicamccormack.com
Prounis Cushion Brilliant Capsa Ring, price upon request, prounisjewelry.com
Retrouvaí One-of-a-Kind Cushion Brilliant Diamond Heirloom Bezel Ring, price upon request, retrouvai.com
Handle Only With Love Jove Ring, Price Upon Request, handleonlywithlove.com
Ellis Mhairi Cameron X Lemon Cushion Diamond Organic Engagement Ring, $7,624, ellismhairicameron.com
Darius Jewels One-of-a-Kind Emerald Cut Champagne Diamond Gem Signet Ring, $25,100, dariusjewels.com
Marrow Fine Georgia Solitaire Cushion Cut Diamond Ring, from $9,875, marrowfine.com
Brent Neale One-of-a-Kind Pillow Ring with East-West Cushion Diamond, price upon request, brentneale.com
Ashley Zhang Collet Cushion Diamond Engagement Ring, $52,000, ashleyzhangjewelry.com
