The Designer’s Guide to Sourcing Elongated Cushion Cut Diamonds

In this episode of The Engagement Ring Podcast by Melanie Casey Jewelry, designer Melanie Casey of melaniecasey.com explains what makes elongated cushion cut diamonds so special — and how to choose them well. Discover why this cut is both finger-flattering and versatile, how it blends antique romance with modern faceting, and the insider tips Melanie uses when sourcing elongated cushions for her collection. From understanding cut, color, clarity, and ratio to seeing how this shape shines in solitaire, bezel, and cluster designs, this is your complete guide to one of today’s most distinctive diamond cuts. 

Episode Transcript

Melanie Casey (00:00):
Imagine a diamond that carries all the romantic
charm of a vintage piece, butwith a silhouette that's both
elegant and unexpected. Picturea shape that combines the
softness and graceful length ofan oval, the strong finger
coverage of an emerald cut, andit's a cut that nobody else will
have, it's time to introduce youto the elongated cushion cut

(00:23):
diamond, a shape that bringstogether the best of all worlds
for a truly unique statement.I'm Melanie Casey, fine jewelry
designer and founder of MelanieCasey Jewelry. Today, we're
exploring what makes theelongated cushion cut so special
and why it's become a favoriteamong those who want a ring
that's anything but ordinary.Let's start with what the

(00:46):
elongated cushion cut actuallyis and where it comes from.
The cushion cut itself is one ofthe oldest diamond shapes loved
for its soft rounded corners andpillowy outline. In the early
nineteen hundreds, diamonds wereoften hand cut by artisans into
what was known as the old minecut. Today, when most people
think of a cushion cut, theypicture a square, but the
elongated cushion stretches thatclassic style into a more

(01:10):
rectangular form. For me as adesigner, that longer ratio is
where the inspiration begins.It's the blend of old world
character and modern facetingthat makes the elongated cushion
cut so exciting.
So why would you choose anelongated cushion cut over more
popular diamond shapes? From myperspective, this unexpected cut

(01:31):
makes for a completely uniqueengagement ring, and that's one
of the reasons I love it somuch. Longer shaped diamonds are
incredibly finger flattering.The elongated outline naturally
lengthens the look of the hand,creating a graceful line that
other shapes can't match. Thisstone is also known for its
brilliance.
An elongated cushion has precisefaceting that shines just as

(01:54):
bright as the more well knowncuts like round and princess. It
carries vintage charm whilestill feeling undeniably modern.
Because of its proportions, thiscut often looks larger on the
hand than a square cushion ofthe same weight. That's a little
designer secret for maximizingimpact without increasing carat

(02:15):
size. The elongated cushionworks beautifully in almost any
style from a clean solitaire toa bold bezel or a delicate
cluster.
It's a favorite for those whowant something unique and
refined, not something they'llsee in every jewelry store. If
you're considering an elongatedcushion, here's exactly how I

(02:35):
evaluate them when sourcingstones. Choosing the right
diamond is just as important asthe right setting. First, you
should consider the cut quality.This considers things like
symmetry and precision in thefacets.
Even the slightest variation insymmetry changes how the light
reflects out of the diamond. Irecommend very good or excellent

(02:57):
cuts because precision is whatbrings the sparkle alive. Next,
you should consider the colorgrade. High color is key. With
their larger surface area,elongated cushions show color a
bit more than some shapes.
For natural diamonds, Irecommend g or higher. For lab
grown, f or higher will keep thestone looking crisp and bright.

(03:19):
Clarity is another factor youwill need to decide, but
luckily, this one is easy.Cushion cuts are forgiving, so a
v s two in natural or a v s onein lab grown will usually look
eye clean without overspendingon flawless grades. Finally,
consider the ratio.
This is not one of the four c's,and it's the most important

(03:40):
consideration for this cut. Thisdetail transforms the entire
look. For an elegant elongatedstyle, I suggest a ratio of at
least 1.1. Personally, I love1.2 or longer. Anything too
close to square loses the fingerlengthening effect that makes
this cut so distinctive.
Longer stones feel intentionaland designer. They're harder to

(04:03):
source, but that's what makesthem special. Now let me share a
few examples from my collectionthat highlight the versatility
of this cut. In our solitairestyle threaded ring, the
elongated cushion sits on a slimminimal band with a triple prong
basket. The clean setting drawsthe eye directly to the stone,

(04:24):
creating a classic, timelesslook.
For a more modern solitaire, theformation ring pairs the
elongated cushion with a sleekbezel. It enhances the
silhouette, adds structure, andtransforms a traditional
solitaire into somethingstrikingly contemporary. And for
sparkle lovers, our signaturesnowdrift ring surrounds the

(04:45):
elongated cushion with delicateclusters of side stones. The
effect is romantic, ethereal,and completely unique. Vintage
inspiration made modern.
Each of these designs shows theadaptability of the elongated
cushion. Whether understated ordetailed, this cut elevates an
engagement ring with a presencethat feels refined, timeless,

(05:07):
and unmistakably distinctive. Sothere you have it, the elongated
cushion cut diamond, a shapethat, blends the romance of
antique hand cut stones with theprecision of modern faceting. It
flatters the hand, deliverssparkle, and offers a presence
you won't mistake for ordinary.As a designer, I love this cut

(05:29):
because it refuses to blend intothe crowd.
It's elegant, versatile, andfull of character. The perfect
choice if you want an engagementring that is completely unique
yet understated. If you'd liketo see some of my favorite
elongated cushion cut designs,head over to melaniecasey.com

(05:49):
and explore the collection.You'll find solitaire's,
bezel's, clusters, and more.Each one designed to bring out
the best in this beautifulshape.
Thanks for listening to theengagement ring podcast. I'm
Melanie Casey, and I'll see youin the next episode.