An Antique cushion-cut diamond is a classic and timeless jewel. Its pillow-shaped outline, softly rounded corners, small table, high crown, and large open culet easily distinguish it from other diamond cuts. No other diamond cut can replicate the Antique Cushion’s prized mix of checkered brilliance and extreme dispersion. Antique cushions are extremely rare.
At any given moment, there are only a few antique cushions on the market for every thousand modern cushions. An antique cushion is the most desirable diamond cut used in high-end jewelry. The fire of this precious prism of pure crystallized carbon is stunning during a candlelight dinner. The sparkle and scintillation in pure sunlight leave other diamonds yellow with envy. On an overcast day, it will cradle your finger, permeating a soft glow and reminding you once again that you are loved by someone who knows you are special.
Special characteristics of an Antique cushion diamond
An antique cushion cut is what, in the trade, is known as an Old Mine cut – the round diamond of its age. Antique cushions typically have an open culet, a high crown, a small table, and broad facets that are not as thin and stretched as modern ones. The traditional pillow-shaped outline conveys the appeal of a bygone era when diamonds were cut to burst alive with intense fire under the romantic glow of candlelight. In addition, antique cushions’ high-contrast faceting mutes the color perception, expanding the number of stones perceived as white.
True Antique™ Cushion diamond
Our True Antique™ cushions are a contemporary version of the Old Mine diamonds with perfect symmetry and excellent polish. The classic cushion cut ruled the world until the round brilliant cut was developed. The world’s most famous diamonds, including the Hope Diamond, feature the same Old Mine cut as our antique cushions.
A proper balance between brilliance and dispersion is the hallmark of every True Antique™ cushion diamond. It is the authentic cushion cut that fits rigorous geometric and optical requirements. Not every antique cushion can pass the rigorous requirements we bestow upon our stones. Antique cushions do not have the dreaded “Crushed Ice” splintered brilliance found in modern cushions.
True Antique™ Cushion diamond is our exclusive trademark. Please get in touch with us to help with the selection based on our current inventory.
Are True Antique cushions more expensive?
True Antique cushion diamonds and other premium cuts like an Asscher are slightly more expensive than the rest of the fancy shapes but still significantly less expensive than round diamonds. Because of their extreme difficulty, cutting antique cushion diamonds requires specialized knowledge, tools, equipment, and techniques. It takes, on average, 30% longer to cut an antique cushion diamond. The same piece of rough yields about a 10-15% smaller antique cushion than a modified cushion. Our True Antique cushions are premium stones that command higher prices due to their exceptional beauty, higher production cost, and scarce inventory.
True Antique™ Cushions are not old
The majority of our True Antique™ cushion diamonds are newly mined diamonds. On rare occasions, we re-facet old material dating from 1860 to 1915 that comes up at auctions. The old stones taken out of period jewelry usually have poor symmetry and odd proportions and are covered with large chips and severe abrasions from years of wear. The vintage charm of the original outlines is preserved during the cutting, but the brilliance and shape are greatly improved.
The True Antique™ Cushion diamonds are cut in various grades, sizes, and proportions. The rough predetermine the shape and length-to-width ratio of the finished stones.
Who makes True Antique™ Cushions?
True Antique™ cushions are currently produced in New York by an extended family of artisan diamantaires who have preserved the secrets of the antique faceting style through many generations. Although not blood-related, we are honored to be a part of the family and closely collaborate for several decades to produce and popularize these rare gems. Our True Antique™ cushions are cut entirely by hand and eye, using the same techniques diamonds were cut hundreds of years ago.
GIA classification of the antique cushion diamonds
The GIA classifies most antique cushion diamonds as Old Mine cut. However, the GIA refuses to call antique cushions with shallow crowns and depths “Old Miners” and instead calls them “Cushion Brilliants.”
Some antique cushions cut from a flat rough and, therefore, with a depth lower than 60%, are certified by the GIA as Cushion brilliants.
According to GIA unfortunate guidelines, the antique cushion is classified as a cushion brilliant when all except one is true:
- The table is over 53%
- Slightly large culet
- The crown angle is over 40°
- The lower half is 60% or less.
This outdated guideline is misleading because antique cushions look dramatically different than cushion brilliants.
Modern cushion diamond
The Modified Cushion cut is a Radiant cut with rounded corners and sides. Cushion brilliants are closely related to round brilliants in their faceting arrangement. Both have a cushion shape (outline) but feature different faceting styles. The Cushion Brilliant cut is less common and includes modern and antique cut stones.
The Modified cushions, as well as some Cushion brilliants, are Modern cushions. They often show excessive brilliance without contrast, a phenomenon called a “crushed ice” look. The pavilion facets originate at the culet and extend to the girdle in a star-like fashion. The majority of modified cushions have four protruding bulges on the pavilion that make concealing the metalwork difficult.
An antique cushion looks best when it is surrounded by a halo of micro-pave (preferably set with single cuts) in an engagement ring. Its proportions are a perfect match for a halo. The antique cushion’s high crown braced by a micro pave skirt is stunningly beautiful. Antique cushions are an excellent choice for solitaires or three-stone rings, especially those where the basket is set with a diamond pave. Unlike modern cushion cuts, antique cushions do not have a bulging pavilion, which provides ample space for metal to be concealed underneath. In addition, the shorter prongs block less of the stone’s side view because the girdle they grip is lower.
