A buyer in Toronto bought 100 cushion moissanites at the low end of the price list and assumed all cushions were the same shape. When the parcel arrived, half the stones looked like "broken glass" — heavy crushed-ice sparkle with no structured facet pattern — and the other half looked like soft vintage squares. The buyer had mixed two different cushion variants at one price point, and his product photos no longer matched. He had to discount the crushed-ice half to clear it.
Cushion is the most misunderstood price tier in moissanite wholesale. The name covers at least three different cuts, and they do not cost the same. Here is how to buy them without mixing the bins.
Why cushion price splits into three tiers
A "cushion" is a square or rounded-rectangle stone with clipped corners. Beyond that, the facet layout is a choice. The three variants you will encounter:
- Classic cushion: large, structured facets that read soft and vintage. This is the heirloom look. It uses more precise angles, so the cutter spends more time per stone.
- Crushed-ice cushion: a dense field of small facets that scatters light like crushed glass. It looks modern and very sparkly. It cuts faster and has a higher yield from rough, so the wholesale price sits lower.
- Modified cushion: a hybrid — structured crown facets with a crushed-ice pavilion. This is the "best of both" variant and sits in the middle of the price range.
Across a 2 ct equivalent, the price difference between a low-tier crushed-ice cushion and a precision classic cushion can run to about 18–22%. That spread is the reason a bargain cushion parcel and a premium cushion parcel look like different products on your tray.
| Cushion variant | Look | Yield | Wholesale tier | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crushed ice | Dense sparkle, modern | Higher | Lower | Mass bridal, sterling silver lines |
| Modified | Balanced sparkle + structure | Mid | Mid | 14k gold bridal, boutique solitaire |
| Classic | Soft, structured, vintage | Lower | High | High-jewelry, bespoke, platinum |
What the price buys you at each tier
When you pay the higher cushion price, you are paying for three things the cheaper parcel skips:
- Faceting precision: a classic cushion requires consistent table angles and a sharp corner-to-corner pattern. The cutter spends more time per stone, and that time is in the price.
- Color and window control: cushions show a soft window in the center. A precision cushion keeps that window small and consistent; a cheap cushion lets it grow, which reads as a dull center under showroom light.
- Cut-grade certificate: premium cushions ship with a cut grade noted on the GRA certificate, while commodity crushed-ice stones often ship with a generic "excellent" label regardless of actual proportion.
We price our cushion parcels by variant, not by carat weight alone. When you order, you tell us which variant and which size, and we ship stones cut to that spec. Reorders match because the cutting template is locked.
Which cushion tier to buy
Mass-market and silver lines — crushed-ice cushion is the right call. It sparkles on camera, costs less, and suits the price point your customer expects in sterling silver or plated settings.
Boutique 14k gold bridal — modified cushion. It gives you the sparkle your client wants in product photos plus enough structure to feel premium on the finger. This is our highest-volume cushion tier.
High-jewelry and bespoke — classic cushion. Pair it with a platinum setting and a thin halo. The client who asks for a classic cushion is looking for the heirloom look, and the price differential is exactly where your margin sits.
See cushion moissanite by variant, compare the sparkle with radiant cuts, or read pricing guides in our blog.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between crushed-ice and classic cushion?
Crushed-ice cushions have dense small facets that scatter light like crushed glass, for a modern, very sparkly look. Classic cushions have large structured facets that read soft and vintage. They are different cuts with different price tiers.
Why is cushion moissanite pricing so inconsistent?
Because "cushion" covers three facet layouts — crushed ice, modified and classic — each with a different cutting cost and yield. A cheap cushion parcel is usually crushed ice; a premium cushion parcel is usually classic. Specify the variant when you order.
Which cushion variant sells best at retail?
The modified cushion is the volume seller. It balances modern sparkle with enough structure to read as premium, and it works across sterling silver, 10k and 14k gold price points.
Do cushion moissanite stones show a window?
Yes, cushions show a soft central window. A well-cut cushion keeps that window small; a cheap one lets it grow into a dull center. Inspect face-up under rotating light before you accept a parcel.
What is the MOQ for cushion moissanite by variant?
The wholesale MOQ is 20 pieces per size and variant. We recommend ordering one variant at a time so your product photography and tray display stay consistent.
Key takeaways
- Cushion is three cuts, not one — specify the variant on the PO.
- Expect an 18–22% spread between crushed-ice and classic tiers.
- Modified cushion is the safe volume choice for 14k bridal.
- Request a variant sample: MOQ 20 pcs per size, shipped in 5 business days. Request a price list.