Elongated Cushion Cut Engagement Rings: Ratios, Settings and What to Know

An elongated cushion cut is a rectangular version of the cushion cut, with the same soft, rounded corners and pillow-like outline but a length-to-width ratio of roughly 1.15:1 or more. Most buyers land between 1.15 and 1.35. It looks longer on the finger than a square cushion and keeps more vintage character than an oval, which is why it has become one of the most requested shapes for custom engagement rings.

It is also one of the shapes people search for most on our own site: the Anne, an elongated cushion in a bezel setting, is regularly among the rings that bring visitors to us from Google. This guide covers what to know before choosing one: ratios, how it compares with ovals and radiants, faceting styles, settings and cost in Canada.

What is an elongated cushion cut?

The cushion cut has a square or rectangular outline with rounded corners and gently curved sides. GIA describes it in its guide to engagement ring shapes as a softly contoured shape often thought of as a cross between a round and a princess cut. An elongated cushion is simply the rectangular version. The faceting and grading rules are the same as for any cushion; the stone is just longer than it is wide.

That matters when you shop, because "cushion" on a listing can mean anything from a perfect square to a long rectangle. The ratio is what tells you which one you are looking at.

What length-to-width ratio is best for an elongated cushion?

A ratio of 1.00 is a perfect square. Jewellers generally treat anything up to about 1.05 as square, and a stone at 1.06 to 1.10 can look slightly off: not square enough to read as square, not long enough to read as elongated. If you want an elongated look, commit to 1.15 or higher.

Ratio	How it looks	Who it suits
1.00 to 1.05	Square cushion	Classic, symmetrical look
1.06 to 1.10	In-between, often looks unintentional	Usually best avoided
1.15 to 1.20	Subtly elongated	Someone who wants a hint of length without going rectangular
1.20 to 1.30	Clearly elongated, balanced	The most popular choice for engagement rings
1.30 to 1.50	Long and dramatic	Long fingers, or anyone who wants maximum length

There is no single right number. Our advice is to look at two or three ratios side by side on the hand, in photos or in person, before deciding. Small differences on paper are easy to see on a finger.

Elongated cushion vs oval vs radiant: what's the difference?

These three are the shapes people most often compare, because all of them add length. The differences come down to corners and sparkle.

	Elongated cushion	Oval	Radiant
Outline	Rectangle with rounded corners	Smooth ellipse, no corners	Rectangle with cropped (cut) corners
Typical ratio	About 1.15 to 1.50	1.33 to 1.66 per GIA	Varies widely, from square to long rectangle
Sparkle	Broad flashes or "crushed ice," depending on faceting	Bright, brilliant sparkle	Lively, often "crushed ice"
Feel	Soft, vintage-leaning	Modern, graceful	Crisp, geometric
Bow-tie	Possible, usually mild	Common; look for a minimal one	Less common

If your partner loves the length of an oval but finds it a little too sleek, the elongated cushion is the natural middle ground. If they like structure and clean lines, a radiant may suit them better. We cover both in more depth in our oval cut guide and our radiant cut guide.

Crushed ice or antique style: which faceting should you choose?

GIA splits cushions into two main styles. Cushion brilliants have larger facets that give a softer sparkle and show off clarity. Modified cushions add extra facets that push brilliance higher and create the "crushed ice" look you also see in radiants.

Neither is better. The broad-faceted style reads as more antique and shows distinct flashes of light, a little like the old mine cuts of the 1800s. Crushed ice reads as busier and more glittery. Most elongated moissanite and lab diamond cushions sold today lean toward the crushed ice look, so if you want the antique style, ask for it specifically and ask to see a video of the actual stone before it is set.

Do elongated cushion cuts have a bow-tie?

They can. A bow-tie is a dark, bow-shaped shadow across the centre of an elongated brilliant-cut stone. GIA's guide to fancy shapes flags it in ovals, pears, marquises and hearts, and advises choosing stones where it is minimized. Elongated cushions with brilliant faceting can show a mild version too. The longer the stone, the more likely you are to notice it.

A photo taken straight on under studio light will not always show it. A short video, rotated slowly, will. This applies whether the centre stone is moissanite, a lab grown diamond or a natural diamond.

Does an elongated cushion look bigger?

Usually it looks bigger than a square cushion of the same weight, because the stone spreads along the finger. Cushions in general, though, are cut a little deeper than some other shapes, and GIA notes that this can make them appear smaller than other shapes of the same carat weight. So an elongated cushion may face up a touch smaller than an oval of the same carat.

The practical fix is to compare millimetre measurements rather than carat weight. Two stones listed as "1.5 carats" can look noticeably different on the hand. Our 4Cs guide explains why carat weight on its own is a poor guide to size.

Best settings for an elongated cushion engagement ring

Four-prong solitaire. One prong on each corner holds the stone securely and lets the outline show. It is the cleanest way to show off the shape. If you are deciding between prong counts, our guide to 4 prong vs 6 prong settings walks through the trade-offs. The Kayla is our elongated cushion solitaire.

Bezel. A thin rim of metal around the whole stone gives a smooth, modern look and protects the edges well, which suits people who use their hands a lot. The Anne pairs an elongated cushion with a bezel.

Halo or hidden halo. A full halo makes the centre stone look larger and adds sparkle around it, as on the Hailey. A hidden halo tucks the small stones under the centre so you only see them from the side. Our hidden halo guide covers how that works.

Three-stone. Tapered baguettes, trapezoids or small pears on either side suit the longer shape and lean into its vintage feel.

East-west. Turning the stone sideways across the finger is a less common choice that looks contemporary and a little unexpected. It is a good option for a custom design.

Is an elongated cushion a good shape for moissanite?

Yes. Moissanite is cut into elongated cushions widely, it is hard enough for daily wear, and its strong fire suits the crushed ice style. Lab grown diamonds are also widely available in this shape. Whatever the material, the advice above holds: check the ratio, look at a video for any bow-tie, and compare millimetre sizes.

The rounded corners are another quiet advantage. Sharp corners, like those on a princess cut, are the most vulnerable part of a stone, and the cushion's softened corners avoid that weak point.

How much does an elongated cushion engagement ring cost in Canada?

At Toronto Fine Jewelry, moissanite engagement rings start at $1,050 CAD. Our elongated cushion designs currently start at $1,600 for the Kayla solitaire, $2,000 for the Hailey halo and $2,150 for the Anne bezel, with the final price depending on stone size, metal and setting details. Every design can also be made with a lab grown diamond centre stone by request.

For diamonds, GIA notes that cushions often cost less per carat than round brilliants, which can make an elongated cushion a good way to get more visible size for the budget. For a full breakdown of what drives price, see how much a custom engagement ring costs in Canada.

Frequently asked questions

What ratio is best for an elongated cushion cut?

Most people choose between 1.15:1 and 1.35:1. Around 1.20 to 1.30 reads as clearly elongated without looking long. Avoid 1.06 to 1.10, which can look neither square nor elongated.

Is an elongated cushion the same as a radiant cut?

No. Both are rectangular, but an elongated cushion has rounded corners and softly curved sides, while a radiant has cropped, straight-cut corners and a crisper, more geometric outline.

Does an elongated cushion look bigger than a square cushion?

Usually yes, because the stone spreads along the finger. Compare millimetre measurements rather than carat weight, since cushions can be cut deeper and face up smaller than some other shapes of the same weight.

Do elongated cushion cuts have a bow-tie?

Some do. A bow-tie is a dark shadow across the centre of an elongated brilliant-cut stone. In elongated cushions it is usually mild, and a video of the actual stone is the best way to check.

Is an elongated cushion a good choice for moissanite?

Yes. Moissanite is widely cut in this shape, it is hard enough for everyday wear, and its fire suits the crushed ice faceting style. The rounded corners are also less vulnerable than the sharp corners of a princess cut.

How much does an elongated cushion engagement ring cost in Canada?

At Toronto Fine Jewelry, moissanite engagement rings start at $1,050 CAD, and our elongated cushion designs currently start at $1,600 to $2,150 depending on the setting. Lab grown diamond centre stones are available by request.