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An elongated cushion is a cushion cut diamond with a visibly rectangular outline — typically a 1.15–1.50+ length-to-width ratio — rather than the near-square proportions of a classic cushion. The elongation makes the stone read larger face-up per carat and gives a slimmer, more finger-lengthening silhouette. Guru Diam stocks elongated cushion within a 382-piece cushion inventory, CVD-grown, IGI-certified as standard.
Buyers who've been shown a classic square cushion and asked for something "more modern" or "less chunky" are usually describing an elongated cushion without knowing the term. It's the same shape family with one dimension changed, and it solves a specific, common client complaint.
What makes a cushion "elongated"
Direct answer: length-to-width ratio, not facet pattern. A classic cushion runs close to square — roughly 1.00 to 1.05 L:W. An elongated cushion stretches that ratio to somewhere between about 1.15 and 1.50+, turning the same rounded-corner pillow outline into a visibly rectangular stone. Facet pattern is a separate, independent choice — an elongated cushion can be cut as a standard cushion brilliant or a cushion modified brilliant, the same way a square cushion can. Elongation and faceting are two different specs that combine, not a single package.
Why buyers choose elongated over square
A square cushion reads compact and substantial on the hand — a classic, symmetrical look that's been the default cushion silhouette for most of the modern lab-grown era. An elongated cushion does two things a square cushion doesn't: it makes the stone look larger face-up for the same carat weight, because the elongated shape covers more visible surface area per carat than a compact square does, and it visually lengthens the finger the same way an oval or emerald cut does — a look a lot of buyers specifically ask for once they've seen it, even if they started the conversation asking for "cushion."
The tradeoff is proportional, not a downside exactly: a more elongated stone shifts weight distribution toward the outline and away from depth, so very high elongation ratios (north of roughly 1.5) start to trade some of the classic cushion "chunkiness" for the elongated look. Most buyers land in the 1.15–1.30 range — enough elongation to read as rectangular and finger-lengthening, without losing the pillow-shaped character that makes it a cushion rather than a rectangular radiant.
Elongated cushion vs. classic square cushion
| Spec | Elongated Cushion | Classic Square Cushion |
|---|---|---|
| Outline | Visibly rectangular, rounded corners | Near-square, rounded corners |
| Typical L:W ratio | 1.15–1.50+ | 1.00–1.05 |
| Face-up size per carat | Reads larger | Reads more compact |
| Finger effect | Elongating, slimming | Classic, substantial |
| Facet pattern options | Brilliant or modified brilliant | Brilliant or modified brilliant |
| Best-suited for | Buyers who want oval/emerald-style elongation with cushion character | Buyers who want the classic, symmetrical cushion look |
Bowtie and proportion checks
Elongated shapes — cushion included — carry a higher risk of a visible "bowtie" shadow across the center of the stone than square or round cuts do, a function of the stretched proportions rather than a defect. It's worth checking any elongated cushion for bowtie visibility before committing, the same discipline that applies to any elongated fancy shape. Modified brilliant faceting (see our cushion brilliant vs. modified brilliant guide) often reduces bowtie visibility, which is one practical reason to consider it specifically on an elongated stone even if a client hasn't asked for extra sparkle.
Sourcing elongated cushion wholesale
Guru Diam stocks elongated cushion within our 382-piece cushion inventory, CVD-grown, IGI-certified as standard, GIA available on request, from our New York Diamond District desk (36 West 47th Street, Suite 601A) and our Los Angeles office (607 South Hill Street). For the full cushion spec table and current size range, see our cushion cut wholesale sourcing guide.
Ready to buy? Open a verified wholesale account at /signup and book time with a gemologist at /book-appointment.
FAQ
What is an elongated cushion cut diamond? A cushion cut diamond with a rectangular rather than square outline — typically a 1.15 to 1.50+ length-to-width ratio, compared to the roughly 1.00–1.05 ratio of a classic square cushion. It keeps the rounded-corner pillow shape while reading longer and slimmer.
Why do buyers choose an elongated cushion instead of a classic square one? Two main reasons: an elongated cushion reads larger face-up for the same carat weight, and it visually elongates the finger the way an oval or emerald cut does, while keeping the softer, rounded-corner character of a cushion.
What length-to-width ratio should I look for in an elongated cushion? Most buyers land between 1.15 and 1.30 for a noticeably elongated but still clearly cushion-shaped stone. Ratios above roughly 1.50 start to trade the classic cushion look for a more purely rectangular silhouette.
Does an elongated cushion have a bowtie effect? It can — elongated shapes generally carry more bowtie risk than square or round cuts due to the stretched proportions. It's worth checking any specific elongated cushion under light before committing; modified brilliant faceting often helps reduce it.
Is elongated cushion available lab-grown and certified? Yes. Guru Diam's elongated cushion inventory is CVD-grown and IGI-certified as standard, with GIA certification available on request.
