As you might be aware, there are 10 diamond shapes that are extremely popular all around the world
1. Round cut
2. Princess cut
3. Emerald cut
4. Radiant cut
5. Asscher cut
6. Oval cut
7. Marquise cut
8. Heart cut
9. Pear cut, and
10. Cushion cut

Of these, the round, princess and emerald cuts are the best choices for engagement rings; and the asscher, oval, marquise, and pear cut are generally used in designer jewelry, and when the stone is colored. Heart cut diamonds are a class apart and they are usually bought during special occasion like Valentine’s day and so on.
So, that leaves us with the Cushion cut diamond, and let’s see why they have a special place in the diamond hall of fame. Here are some very interesting facts about cushion cut diamonds.

• This is one of the most respected and recognized cuts of diamonds – especially in antique diamonds. This is probably the only cut which was accepted all over right from the early 19th century. When you compare that with the princess cut, which was invented in 1960, you will realize how valued this cut really has to be.

• Most of the heirloom diamonds in old families all over the United States and Europe were cushion cut, leading to the style becoming a very popular one at auctions and estate deals all over the world.

• Many cushion cut diamonds have been refashioned by modern jewelers into other contemporary cuts, so that they would appeal to the current generation of diamond lovers.

• The cushion cut is also known as the pillow cut or the candle light cut, as the shape resembles that of a pillow (or a cushion), and the light reflected out of the diamond resembles the light emanating from a lit candle.

• The cut and the light reflected out of a cushion cut diamond is not as fiery or brilliant as say a round cut or even a princess cut, but the soft romantic feeling that a cushion cut diamond gives is absolutely unmatchable by any other kind of a diamond cut.

• The cushion cut is an offshoot of the old mine cut, which was very popular in the late 18th and early 19th centuries. The old mine cut was a deep cut with large facets; and as people started preferring smaller cut diamonds, the depth and the facet size was reduced to make the shape more like an oval cut diamond. It is this combination that is known as a cushion cut diamond.

• Another reason why the diamond has the name of a ‘candle light’ diamond is because in the earlier times, there were no electric lights, and diamonds used to be cut in the light provided by candles. The soft glow that used to emanate from these cushion cut diamonds could not be matched by the old mine cut or even some of the more modern cuts. Hence, these diamonds became the standard gift for romantic occasions like anniversaries, proposals, and other such special days.

• Getting good cushion cut diamonds at diamond stores is not too easy, as a lot of jewelers do not stock this cut. Even if they do, they will have just a couple of stones, and that is too little choice for you to choose from. However, reputed online diamond retailing stores like www.diamondsonweb.com have a collection that is both exquisite and affordable. That is understandable, as they have been in the diamond trade for over 25 years and their warehouses house some of the largest collections of brilliant cut diamonds.

• When you buy online, you will also have access to some amazing offers, which will save you a lot of money in the setting and side stones (if required). Anyway the diamonds are pretty economical when you compare them to the street prices. With the savings in the settings, you stand to get a deal which is 30-40% better than at your regular jeweler – with a money back policy in place, if you are not happy!
Try it out, and surprise your loved one.