Moissanite 101 ยท Shape vs Shape
Moissanite Princess vs Cushion Cut: Modern Square or Vintage Square?
Two square brilliants at opposite ends of the style spectrum โ compared on corners, sparkle, size and wear.
Written by the Mapple Gems workshop, Surat ยท Updated 27 September 2026
Short answer
A princess is a sharp, modern square with four pointed corners; a cushion is a soft, vintage square with rounded ones. The cushion is the more forgiving stone to wear and faces up slightly larger (about 6.0 mm against 5.5 mm at 1 ct DEW). A crushed-ice cushion also out-sparkles a princess. Choose princess for crisp geometry โ with a V- or L-prong on every corner.
Princess and cushion are both square brilliants, but they could hardly feel more different. A princess is all straight lines and sharp points โ clean, architectural, contemporary. A cushion is all soft edges โ curved sides and rounded corners like a pillow, with an antique, romantic character. Choosing between them is mostly about style, but the corners also change how each stone must be set and how it wears.
For all ten shapes, see our moissanite shape comparison.
Princess vs cushion moissanite at a glance
| Princess | Cushion | |
|---|---|---|
| Corners | Four sharp points | Four rounded corners |
| Face-up at 1 ct DEW | about 5.5 ร 5.5 mm | about 6.0 ร 6.0 mm |
| Fire | High | Highest (crushed ice) or calmer (chunky) |
| Chip risk | At the four points | Low |
| Prongs | V- or L-prong on every corner | A claw on every corner |
| Wedding band | Straight usually fits | Straight usually fits |
| Style | Modern, architectural | Romantic, vintage |
DEW = diamond equivalent weight. See the moissanite size chart.
Sparkle
Both are brilliant cuts, and moissanite's dispersion of 0.104 โ more than twice diamond's 0.044 โ gives both plenty of colour. A princess has a crisp, criss-cross sparkle that sits a few places down the fire ranking. A cushion depends on its faceting: a crushed-ice cushion, with many small facets, sits at the very top alongside the round, while a chunky or antique cushion shows larger, calmer flashes. Listings rarely say which, so always ask โ see crushed ice or chunky.
Corners and everyday wear
Moissanite is Mohs 9.25 and has no cleavage planes, so both stones are tough. What differs is exposure. A princess's four sharp points are where any knock concentrates, so each needs a prong that cups the point โ a V- or L-shaped prong โ or a bezel around the stone. A cushion's rounded corners are far less exposed; a standard claw on each corner is enough.
From the workshop: same square, different upkeep.
If you love a square stone and want the one that looks after itself, the cushion is the easier choice: rounded corners, a softer look, and a little more face-up size for the weight. If you love sharp geometry, the princess is worth it โ but choose it knowing its V-prongs are the parts that wear, and plan a quick bench check every couple of years.
A good halfway house is a square radiant: princess-like straight sides with cropped corners that remove the sharp points.
Size and the wedding band
A princess is cut deep and faces up at about 5.5 mm at 1 ct DEW; a square cushion is slightly larger at about 6.0 mm. Neither extends along the finger, so both usually take a straight wedding band flush beside them โ a real advantage over elongated shapes.
How to decide
- Want crisp, modern geometry? Princess.
- Want a soft, vintage look? Cushion.
- Want the most sparkle? Crushed-ice cushion.
- Want the lowest upkeep? Cushion.
- Want a slightly larger face? Cushion.
- Either way: a straight band usually fits.
Keep reading
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between princess and cushion cut moissanite?
Both are square brilliants. A princess has straight sides and four sharp corners; a cushion has curved sides and rounded corners. The princess looks modern, the cushion vintage.
Which is more durable, princess or cushion moissanite?
The cushion, in practice. Both are Mohs 9.25, but a princess's sharp corners are its weak points and need V- or L-prongs, while a cushion's rounded corners are far less exposed.
Which sparkles more, princess or cushion?
A crushed-ice cushion sparkles more and is among the most fiery moissanite shapes. A chunky cushion is calmer than a princess. Ask the seller which faceting style you are getting.
Does a princess or cushion moissanite look bigger?
The cushion, slightly: about 6.0 mm square at 1 ct diamond equivalent weight, against about 5.5 mm for a princess, which is cut deeper.
Will a straight wedding band fit a princess or cushion ring?
Usually yes, for both. Neither shape extends along the finger, so a straight band normally sits flush. A very high setting or a wide halo can still leave a gap.
Modern square or vintage square?
Every ring is made to order in our Surat workshop, with every corner protected by design.
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