Moissanite 101 ยท Shape vs Shape
Moissanite Cushion vs Radiant Cut: Rounded Corners or Cropped?
Two squarish brilliants that are often confused โ compared on outline, sparkle, size and how each one wears.
Written by the Mapple Gems workshop, Surat ยท Updated 26 September 2026
Short answer
A cushion has softly rounded corners and curved sides; a radiant has straight sides and cropped corners. Choose cushion for a romantic, vintage look โ crushed-ice cushions are among the most fiery moissanite shapes, chunky ones among the calmer. Choose radiant for a crisp, modern outline with lively sparkle and a slightly larger face when cut elongated.
Cushion and radiant cuts are both brilliant-faceted and both come square or slightly rectangular, which is why they are so often mixed up in listings. The difference is the outline. A cushion looks like a pillow: gently curved sides and rounded corners. A radiant looks like an emerald cut from above: straight sides with the corners trimmed off. That single difference changes the style, the sparkle pattern and, a little, the setting.
For all ten moissanite shapes compared, see our moissanite shape comparison.
Cushion vs radiant moissanite at a glance
| Cushion | Radiant | |
|---|---|---|
| Outline | Curved sides, rounded corners | Straight sides, cropped corners |
| Face-up at 1 ct DEW | about 6.0 ร 6.0 mm (square) | about 6.5 ร 5.0 mm (elongated) |
| Fire | Highest (crushed ice) or calmer (chunky) | Moderate-high, consistent |
| Common ratios | 1.00โ1.05 square; 1.15โ1.30 elongated | 1.00โ1.05 square; 1.20โ1.35 elongated |
| Must protect | Four rounded corners | Four cropped corners |
| Style | Romantic, vintage | Modern, geometric |
| Wedding band | Straight usually fits (square) | Depends on length and setting |
DEW = diamond equivalent weight. See the moissanite size chart.
Sparkle: consistent vs variable
A radiant's faceting is fairly standard, so radiant moissanites look broadly alike: a lively, crushed-glass sparkle across a geometric face, in the middle of the moissanite fire ranking. With dispersion at 0.104 โ more than twice diamond's 0.044 โ that is plenty of colour, but less than a round.
A cushion's faceting varies, and no listing says which you are getting. A crushed-ice cushion has many small facets and a fine glitter that matches the round at the top of the fire ranking. A chunky or antique cushion has fewer, larger facets and shows bigger, slower flashes with much less rainbow. See crushed ice or chunky: how to tell before you buy.
From the workshop: check the outline, not just the name.
Because both shapes are squarish brilliants, the name on a listing is not always reliable. Some "cushion" stones have near-straight sides, and some "radiant" stones have softened corners. The quickest check is a straight-down photo or video: if the sides curve outward and the corners are rounded, it is a cushion; if the sides are straight and each corner is a small flat cut, it is a radiant.
If you are drawn to a squarish moissanite but not sure which you want, ask yourself whether the look you like is soft or sharp. Soft is cushion. Sharp is radiant. Then, for a cushion, ask whether it is crushed ice or chunky.
Size, wear and the wedding band
A square cushion and a square radiant face up at similar sizes. Radiants are often cut elongated, which spreads their weight along the finger and makes them look larger than a square cushion of the same weight. Both are Mohs 9.25. A cushion's rounded corners are a little less exposed than a radiant's cropped ones, but each corner on either shape should sit under a prong.
A square cushion usually takes a straight band flush. An elongated radiant may need a contour or slightly spaced band; a square radiant in a low setting often takes a straight one. Check the side view before the ring is made.
How to decide
- Want a soft, romantic look? Cushion.
- Want a crisp, modern shape? Radiant.
- Want maximum sparkle? Crushed-ice cushion.
- Want predictable sparkle? Radiant.
- Want a calmer vintage glow? Chunky cushion.
- Want more visible size? Elongated radiant.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between cushion and radiant cut moissanite?
A cushion has curved sides and rounded corners; a radiant has straight sides and cropped corners. Both are brilliant cuts, but the cushion looks softer and more vintage, the radiant crisper and more modern.
Which sparkles more, cushion or radiant moissanite?
A crushed-ice cushion sparkles more than a radiant and ranks among the most fiery moissanite shapes. A chunky cushion is calmer than a radiant. Radiant sparkle is more consistent from stone to stone.
Does a cushion or radiant moissanite look bigger?
In square form they are similar. Radiants are often cut elongated, around 6.5 ร 5.0 mm at 1 ct diamond equivalent weight, which looks larger along the finger than a 6.0 mm square cushion.
Which is more durable, cushion or radiant?
Both are Mohs 9.25. A cushion's rounded corners are slightly less exposed than a radiant's cropped corners, but each corner on either shape should sit under a prong.
How can I tell a cushion from a radiant in a photo?
Look straight down. Curved sides and rounded corners mean cushion; straight sides with small flat corner cuts mean radiant. Listing names are not always reliable.
Soft or sharp?
Every ring is made to order in our Surat workshop. Tell us the look you like and we'll show you the stone first.
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