The cushion diamond has rounded sides along with a square cut. For the first century of its existence, the most common diamond shape was this timeless cut, which has been around for 180–190 years. Cushion diamonds are less glossy than round diamonds but are nonetheless fairly bright. While some individuals favour round diamonds for their great overall sparkle, others favour the high brilliance of the cushion cut. Diamonds with a cushion cut often cost 20% to 30% less than diamonds with a round cut. Each carat requires more maintenance because when jewellers shape a rough stone into a round shape, more harm is done.
