Mixed Cut Diamonds The Essential 7C's Introduction Round Brilliant Cut Modified Brilliant Cuts Step Cuts Mixed Cuts Vintage Cuts Mixed Cuts (Cushion Cuts) Cushion Cut Excellent Very Good Good Fair Poor Depth % 62 to 68 58 to 70 57 to 75 56 to 80 >56 or <79 Table % 58 to 65 56 to 70 54 to 75 53 to 79 >53 or <79 Symmetry Good to excellent Good to excellent Good to excellent Fair to Excellent Poor to Excellent Polish Good to excellent Good to excellent Good to excellent Fair to Excellent Poor to Excellent The cushion cut is the most common mixed cut, combining faceting elements from both the modified brilliant and step cuts allowing it to ensure weight preservation from the step cuts while at the same time enjoying the optical effects of brilliants. Typically the crown is fashioned like a brilliant cut and the pavilion more like a step cut. Although mixed cuts are all relatively new, dating back to the 1960s, the cushion shape is much older. The cushion is one of the least uniform cut diamonds and comesin many different variations. In general we can separate the cut into two categories, the cushion brilliant cuts and the cushion modified brilliant cuts. Further Reading Anatomy of a Diamondand the effects of light Cut Grading Polishing (Cut) Process Hearts and Arrows