Just a few years ago, the antique cushion cut diamond was not a stone on many people\u2019s minds. Cut to Taylor Swift\u2019s engagement announcement,<\/a> however, and everyone began asking their jewelers to source them this vintage, old mine diamond for their own proposals. \u201cThey\u2019re stones with history, individuality, and a kind of timeless beauty,\u201d says jeweler Stephanie Gottlieb<\/a>, who has designed pieces for Swift in the past. \u201cTheir recent rise in popularity shows where engagement ring trends are headed: toward charm and one-of-a-kind stones that separate someone’s personal expression and style from the trends of recent years.\u201d<\/p>\n Curious about what makes an antique cushion cut so unique and how to best source one for your engagement ring? Read ahead for a full breakdown.<\/p>\n \u201cAntique cushions, or old mine diamonds, are essentially the original version of the modern cushion cut,\u201d explains Gottlieb. \u201cBecause true antiques were cut by hand, they have a totally different feel to modern cuts<\/a>\u2014larger, chunkier facets, softer edges, and an open culet.\u201d This style is often popular in an elongated shape that feels like a rounded rectangle with large. \u201cInstead of tiny, glittery sparkles, you get these wide flashes of light, which is especially beautiful in natural light or candlelight,\u201d she shares.<\/p>\n The open culet also appears like a small facet at the center of the stone. \u201cIt\u2019s not a flaw, it\u2019s part of the charm,\u201d she adds. \u201cModern cushions are all about precision and sparkle. Antique cushions are about mood. The light is warmer, more subtle\u2014less \u2018disco ball,\u2019 more glow.\u201d<\/p>\n The antique cushion has become one of the most requested diamond shapes of 2026 for good reason. \u201cPeople are over perfect. There\u2019s a real shift toward individuality, and antique cushions are the opposite of mass-produced,\u201d offers Gottlieb. \u201cNo two are exactly the same, and that\u2019s the appeal. Celebrity influence always plays a role (and thanks to Taylor Swift<\/a> we\u2019ve seen a huge swing towards elongated, antique cushions), but more than that, clients are craving pieces that feel collected, not manufactured.\u201d<\/p>\n Most old mine stones are rare because they are true vintage pieces cut between the 1700s to the early 1900s. \u201cAntique cushions come with built-in character, history, and a slightly imperfect charm that feels very appealing to the modern bride,\u201d adds Gottlieb. Most old mine engagement rings are rare because they have an actual vintage piece. However, some producers are making lab-grown diamonds<\/a> in elongated cushion shapes now to catch up with the trend.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n Since antique cushion cut diamonds are vintage, hand-cut styles, they actually aren\u2019t graded with the 4Cs (cut, clarity, color, and carat) by GIA\u2014which often determines a diamond\u2019s value<\/a>. \u201cThis is where sourcing matters,\u201d says Gottlieb. She advises couples on the search for an old mine engagement ring to work with a skilled jeweler to find the right stone: \u201cYou want someone who knows how to hunt, not just pull from a list. The difference between a good antique cushion and a great one is everything.\u201d<\/p>\n When looking through possible antique cushion cuts, the jeweler advises you to think about how the stone makes you feel rather than particular specs. \u201cThese stones are all about personality, so you want one that speaks to you visually,\u201d she shares. \u201cLook at the facet pattern, the shape, the way it catches light. Do you like a more elongated silhouette? Something softer and pillowy? There\u2019s no \u2018perfect\u2019\u2014just preference.\u201d<\/p>\n Proportions are everything when it comes to an old mine diamond, so it\u2019s best to see a stone in person before purchasing to see how it reflects light. \u201cBottom line: you can\u2019t buy antiques based on the paperwork alone. Always, always see it in motion. Antique stones come alive when they catch the light,\u201d she adds. \u201cAlso, those larger facets don\u2019t hide inclusions as easily, so you want to make sure anything inside the stone is eye-clean and not distracting.\u201d<\/p>\n Choosing a diamond is just the first step when designing an engagement ring. Next, you need to consider how it will appear in a setting. Some may gravitate towards an actual antique ring<\/a> to carry their old mine stone, but many will reset them for longevity. \u201cAntique cushions have so much personality and natural character, so the setting should enhance those qualities,\u201d recommends Gottlieb. \u201cFor someone with more fashion-forward taste, a chunky gold setting offers modern juxtaposition and interest to a vintage stone. For someone who gravitates towards the classics, a clean, minimal solitaire setting allows the stone to really shine.\u201d<\/p>\nWhat Is an Antique Cushion Cut Diamond?<\/h2>\n<\/p>\n
What Makes Antique Cushion Cuts Special?<\/h2>\n<\/p>\n
How to Evaluate an Antique Cushion Cut for the 4Cs<\/h2>\n<\/p>\n
How to Choose Style and Setting<\/h2>\n<\/p>\n
Other Tips and Considerations<\/h2>\n<\/p>\n
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