A boutique in Hamburg once bought a cushion parcel and assumed all the stones looked the same. They did not. Some showed broad rectangular facets with strong contrast; others showed a blizzard of tiny sparkles. The two patterns sat next to each other on the tray, sold to completely different customers, and taught the buyer that cushion is not one cut, it is two.
Cushion moissanite demand is the fastest-growing fancy shape after oval. This guide explains the chunky and crushed-ice facet patterns, which customer buys which, and how to plan cushion stock so you are not surprised on the tray.
The two cushion facet patterns
A cushion is a square or rounded-square brilliant cut with clipped corners. Within that geometry, modern cutting splits into two distinct facet layouts. Chunky cushions, also called modified antique or classic cushions, have fewer, larger facets with broad contrast between light and dark. The stone reads as a vintage cut: bold blocks of light, strong stop-light flashes, and a calmer, more architectural face. Facet count typically runs 58–64. Crushed-ice cushions have many small facets scattered across the table, producing dense, glittering sparkle with low contrast. The stone reads modern and bright, like a snowstorm under the surface, with facet counts typically 65–75.
The difference is not a grading label; it is a visual character. A chunky cushion at 1.5ct and a crushed-ice cushion at the same weight can sit side by side and look like different gems. Customers who love one often dislike the other, which is why stocking both, clearly labelled, grows total cushion sales rather than splitting them.
Who buys which pattern
Customer groups separate cleanly. Chunky cushions sell to vintage, Art Deco and heirloom-style buyers, and they pair best with yellow gold, bezels and pavé halos. Crushed-ice cushions sell to modern bridal, maximum-sparkle buyers, and they read cleaner in white gold or platinum with thin halos. A common merchandising mistake is to put a chunky stone in a white-gold halo, where its contrast looks muddy. Match metal to pattern, not just to skin tone.
Because moissanite's dispersion is roughly 0.104, crushed-ice cushions can flash a lot of rainbow colour under bright retail light. Some purists find this too much; chunky cushions control that dispersion through larger facets. This is the practical reason many high-end boutiques lead with chunky stock and keep crushed-ice as the wow piece.
Ratio and proportion for cushion parcels
Cushions come in square and rectangular variants, and you should stock the two deliberately. Square cushions with a length-to-width ratio of 1.00–1.05 are the classic cushion silhouette and the fastest-moving bracket. Rectangular cushions at 1.15–1.30 read like a softened emerald and sell to the step-curious buyer who wants sparkle too.
Depth should stay 60–70%. A shallow cushion windows across the table; a deep cushion looks small for its weight. Corner clipping should be visible but not extreme: heavy clipping reads as an octagon, light clipping reads as a square with rounded edges. Inspect every cushion face-up for the bow-tie band that can appear across wider rectangular cushions, using the same tolerance described in our bow-tie grading guide.
Pairing cushion stock across the shop
The cushion is the bridge shape between round sparkle and square lines. Merchandise it next to princess cuts for customers who want square geometry but prefer softer corners than a princess, and next to radiant cuts for customers who like the cushion look but want crisper corners and more fire. Most cushion shapes also fit standard round heads with minor adjustment.
Every cushion stone ships GRA-certified. For accounts selling into markets where customers still ask for a lab report name they recognize, IGI documentation can accompany the GRA certificate, which staff can explain alongside the lab-grown diamond reference when a customer asks how moissanite differs.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between chunky and crushed-ice cushions?
Chunky cushions have fewer, larger facets with strong light-and-dark contrast; crushed-ice cushions have many small facets that produce dense sparkle. They are different visual characters, not different grades.
Which cushion pattern sells faster?
Square chunky cushions move fastest as an opening stock; crushed-ice is a higher-margin wow piece that sells once the customer is already in the shop.
Do crushed-ice moissanite cushions look too sparkly?
Under strong retail light, high-dispersion crushed-ice stones can flash rainbow colour. Chunky cushions control this, which is why boutiques that want a refined look lead with chunky stock.
What L/W ratio should cushion stock be?
Square (1.00–1.05) for the main line, with one or two rectangular (1.15–1.30) stones for the step-curious buyer.
Do cushion stones need protected corners?
Cushion corners are clipped but not pointed like a princess. Standard prong settings are usually sufficient; heavy pavé designs should still check corner seating.
Request a cushion sample parcel: 4 stones (2 chunky, 2 crushed-ice), square and rectangular mix, GRA-certified. Apply for wholesale pricing or read the round brilliant best-seller guide when allocating your cut budget.
