If you'd asked me a few years ago which diamond cut felt the most "of the moment," I probably wouldn't have said cushion. It's actually one of the oldest cuts around. But 2026 has flipped that on its head, and the cushion cut has quietly become the diamond shape everyone with genuinely good taste seems to be gravitating towards.

Why cushion is suddenly everywhere

A lot of it comes down to who's wearing it. Cushion cuts have been having a real moment on the celebrity circuit, Taylor Swift's engagement ring features an elongated old mine cut cushion diamond estimated at somewhere between 10 and 12 carats, all soft, rounded corners and that distinctive vintage glow. Miley Cyrus's engagement ring is a cushion cut diamond too, and Zendaya's ring takes it a step further, a 5.02ct cushion cut diamond set in a striking east-west orientation, turning a classic shape completely on its side for a look that feels fresh, editorial, and a little bit rebellious.

That's really the heart of why cushion feels so "cool girl" right now. It's a cut with genuine history and softness to it, but the way it's being styled, larger facets, warmer vintage-inspired settings, unexpected orientations, feels entirely current.

What actually makes a cushion cut a cushion cut

A cushion cut is essentially a square or rectangular diamond with rounded corners and larger, more open facets than a round brilliant. Those bigger facets give it a softer, more glowing kind of sparkle rather than the sharp, scattered brilliance of a round diamond, think fewer, bigger flashes of light rather than lots of tiny ones. It's part of why cushion cuts often look a little warmer and more romantic in person.

Cushion cuts also come in a range of proportions, from a nearly square silhouette through to a more elongated rectangular shape, and that ratio genuinely changes the personality of the stone. A more square cushion feels classic and substantial, while an elongated cushion, like the ones Taylor Swift and Zendaya have been pictured in, feels more directional and, dare I say it, a bit editorial.

Why I love styling it in an unexpected way

Setting a cushion cut diamond east-west, or on a slight diagonal rather than the traditional north-south orientation, is one of my favourite ways to make a classic cut feel completely modern. It's a small styling choice, but it changes the whole character of a ring, more relaxed, more fashion-forward, while still keeping that lovely vintage warmth cushion cuts are known for.

Considering a cushion cut yourself?

If you're drawn to a diamond with a bit more history and personality than a standard round brilliant, but still want something that feels genuinely current, a cushion cut is well worth exploring. We work with cushion cuts across the full range, natural and lab-grown, classic square proportions through to elongated silhouettes, in traditional and more unexpected settings.

Come and see a few in person, photos really don't capture that warm, glowing sparkle. Book an appointment at our Harrogate showroom