Get the Look: Finneas & Claudia Sulewski's Engagement Ring

Claudia Sulewski's engagement ring showcases a beautiful antique cushion cut diamond (estimated at 5-6 carats) as its centerpiece, complemented by the increasingly popular compass prong setting and platinum band. This design choice creates a striking balance between vintage charm and contemporary style.

The Antique Cushion Cut Diamond

The antique cushion cut diamond, sometimes called a "pillow cut," is characterized by its square or rectangular shape with softly rounded corners and larger facets. This cut has been cherished for centuries, originally gaining prominence in the 19th century before experiencing a resurgence in modern engagement ring design. The antique cushion cut's brilliance comes from its ability to display exceptional fire (the colorful flashes of light that diamonds are famous for) while maintaining a romantic, softer aesthetic compared to the sharp lines of an emerald or princess cut.

What distinguishes an antique cushion cut from modern cushion cuts is the faceting pattern. Antique cushion cuts feature larger, chunkier facets that create bold flashes of light rather than the sparkly "crushed ice" effect of modern brilliant cuts. This vintage faceting gives the diamond a distinctive character and old-world charm that's highly prized by those who appreciate historical jewelry design.

For those drawn to this vintage aesthetic, it's worth noting that while truly antique diamonds were cut over a century ago, many modern cutters now create new diamonds with antique-inspired faceting patterns. While most expert jewelers agree that Claudia’s engagement ring features a true antique cushion cut, the contemporary stones cut in this style capture the romantic character of antique cuts while benefiting from modern cutting precision and ethically sourced materials. Whether you choose a genuine antique diamond or a modern stone cut in the antique style, you'll achieve that coveted old-world look with chunky facets and bold light performance.

"The antique cushion cut represents a perfect marriage of old-world romance and timeless brilliance," says Ken Leung, founder of Ken & Dana Design. "It's a cut that photographs beautifully and looks stunning in person, which is why we're seeing so many couples drawn to it. The way light moves through those larger facets in an antique cushion is truly mesmerizing"

Can you get a new diamond in an “antique cushion cut” (eg that isn’t antique?) Or can you only buy a vintage diamond. Can you update this article as to whether or not this ring’s diamond is actually antique or no?

The Compass Prong Setting

What makes Claudia's ring particularly distinctive is the compass prong setting. Rather than the traditional four-prong arrangement where prongs sit at the corners of the diamond, compass prongs are positioned at the north, south, east, and west points—the cardinal directions. This creates a star-like appearance around the diamond and allows more of the stone to be visible, maximizing its visual impact.

The compass prong setting also has a practical advantage: it allows more light to enter the diamond from the sides, enhancing its brilliance and sparkle. Additionally, this setting style elongates the appearance of the diamond, making it appear larger than its actual carat weight.

The Overall Aesthetic

The band itself is relatively simple and refined, allowing the diamond and its unique setting to take center stage. This design philosophy creates a look that's both sophisticated and refreshingly understated—the platinum provides a clean, modern foundation while the antique cushion cut and compass prongs add distinctive character.

If you're considering a cushion cut diamond for your own engagement ring, understanding the nuances of this particular cut will help you make the best choice for you.

Understanding Cushion Cut Variations

Not all cushion cuts are created equal. There are several variations within this category:

Antique Cushion Cut: Features larger, chunkier facets that create bold flashes of light with an "old mine" faceting pattern. This is the style featured in Claudia's ring and offers authentic vintage character.

Modified Cushion Brilliant: Includes an extra row of facets on the pavilion, creating more brilliance and sparkle. This is the most common type you'll find today.

Cushion Cut Ratio: Cushion cuts can range from nearly square (1:1 ratio) to more elongated rectangles (1:1.3 ratio or higher). The choice depends on personal preference and hand shape.

The Four Cs for Cushion Cuts

When evaluating cushion cut diamonds, the traditional Four Cs of cut, color, clarity, and carat weight remain important, but they show up differently than in other diamond shapes.

Cut Quality: Unlike round brilliant diamonds, cushion cuts don't have an official cut grading system from gemological laboratories. Instead, you'll want to look at the diamond's proportions, symmetry, and polish. A well-cut cushion will have good depth (between 61-68%) and table percentage (58-65%) to maximize brilliance.

Color: Cushion cuts tend to retain more color than brilliant cuts, so if you're looking for a colorless appearance or want to ensure the diamond appears crisp and white against a cool metal like platinum, consider diamonds in the F-G range. However, if you're setting your cushion cut in yellow gold, you can comfortably choose diamonds in the H-J range, as the warm metal will complement any subtle color in the stone and create a beautiful overall appearance.

Clarity: The larger facets of cushion cuts can sometimes make inclusions more visible, but they also create a beautiful play of light. Aim for VS2 or higher for eye-clean stones, though some SI1 diamonds can also be eye-clean depending on the type and location of inclusions.

Carat Weight: Cushion cuts tend to hold more weight in their depth compared to round brilliants, which means they may appear slightly smaller per carat.

Evaluating Brilliance and Fire

"When clients come to us looking for a cushion cut, I always encourage them to look at several diamonds to compare," explains Ken Leung. "The way cushion cuts display light is highly individual. Some show more broad flashes of light, what’s called 'brilliance', while others display more colorful sparkle, or 'fire.' Neither is better; it's about which visual effect speaks to you personally."

Try to see your cushion cut diamond in various lighting conditions: natural daylight, indoor lighting, and even in dimmer settings. A quality cushion cut should perform well and look appealing across different environments.

Recreating Claudia's sophisticated ring style starts with identifying which elements resonate most with your personal aesthetic. The appeal of this design lies in its distinctive architectural details paired with romantic vintage charm, a combination that feels both unique and timeless.

Begin by selecting a cushion cut diamond that speaks to you. Focus on finding a stone with the brilliance pattern you prefer, whether that's the chunky, vintage facets or the more sparkly modified brilliant cut. The most important factor is choosing a diamond that looks proportionally balanced on your hand and matches your lifestyle.

You should also consider how the compass prong setting will work with your daily activities. The beauty of this setting is that it's both distinctive and practical. The prongs secure the diamond while allowing maximum light entry. Many couples appreciate how this setting makes the center stone appear larger while maintaining a streamlined profile that won't catch on clothing.

The key to bringing it all together is maintaining the design relationships that make this ring so compelling. Our Clarke design perfectly embodies this mix with a stunning old mine cut diamond in a compass prong setting on a softly tapered band dotted with extra subtle sparkle coming from two petite diamonds set in the band.

Finneas and Claudia's engagement ring beautifully demonstrates that timeless elegance doesn't require excessive complexity. The cushion cut diamond with compass prongs creates a look that's both distinctive and refined—a testament to thoughtful design and personal style. Whether you're recreating this exact aesthetic or using it as inspiration for your own unique ring, the combination of a romantic cushion cut and architectural compass prongs offers a perfect foundation for a truly special engagement ring.