---
title: "Cushion Cut Kunzite: Pros, Cons and Scores"
description: "Cushion Cut in kunzite: brilliance 84, fire 39, leakage 15%, 2 pros and 4 cons against the T73, from our ray-traced light census."
url: https://digitalgemology.com/gemstones/kunzite/cushion
image: https://digitalgemology.com/img/stone-cuts/cushion-kunzite-og.jpg?v=ecaf6550
---

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# Cushion Cut Kunzite: lighter than the same cut in diamond

**Buy (instant download, personal-use license):** [Cushion Cut 3D files, €9.99 · Personal use](https://digitalgemology.lemonsqueezy.com/checkout/buy/0ab6b522-6f5e-4103-9be4-aa806b5cfb2b) · [Cushion Cut cutting files, €6.99 · Personal use](https://digitalgemology.lemonsqueezy.com/checkout/buy/5a6cedf6-d038-467c-a964-3cbfa3ad9e4e) · [Buy the bundle](https://digitalgemology.lemonsqueezy.com/checkout/buy/e5c79ed5-97ce-4c62-8dbe-3a172c6245ba?checkout%5Bdiscount_code%5D=BUNDLE25) · [Buy the bundle](https://digitalgemology.lemonsqueezy.com/checkout/buy/9170b0c0-5357-490e-b6ef-3ce4f7fcd282?checkout%5Bdiscount_code%5D=BUNDLE25) · [Get the cube free](https://digitalgemology.lemonsqueezy.com/checkout/buy/2d1ab55f-2bd6-4897-a4cd-f3320f54e99e)

Brilliance 84 · Fire 39 · Scintillation 85 · in our census, where the T73 scores 90 · 47 · 80 in kunzite

How the Cushion Cut handles light in kunzite, measured: brilliance 84, fire 39 and 15% leakage, set against the T73 in the same stone and against the same cut in diamond.

[Get the files](https://digitalgemology.com/gemstones/kunzite/cushion#buy) [Open it in the Simulator](https://digitalgemology.com/tools/3d_gemstone_simulator?cut=cushion&stone=kunzite&ct=1.00&view=angle&lighting=studio&turn=0) [All cuts in kunzite](https://digitalgemology.com/gemstones/kunzite)

Light Return map of the Cushion Cut in kunzite, face-up, from our own tracer at refractive index 1.66. Red, green and blue return light to the eye; gray leaks.

## Cushion Cut Kunzite

Kunzite has a refractive index of 1.660 to 1.676 and a dispersion of 0.017. Its critical angle, from the low end of that range, is 37.0°, so a round design needs a pavilion of at least 37.0° for head-on light to reflect off both sides of the pavilion and leave through the table. We trace it with one index, 1.668, the midpoint of the published range, and a fire spread of 0.015, 0.86 of the published dispersion. Every picture here is our Light Return tracer at 1.660, and every figure is from the same light census that scores the other gemstones; the 3D Gemstone Simulator shows the Cushion Cut in kunzite live.

The Cushion Cut has 85 facets and a total depth of 65.0% of its width; its pavilion mains sit at 39.6°. In kunzite, the census returns 84 of 100 for brilliance and 39 for fire, against 90 and 47 for the T73, our benchmark, in the same stone; the same Cushion Cut in diamond reads 80 and 73.

## Is kunzite good in a Cushion? Pros and cons, measured

### Pros

- [Lighter than the same cut in diamond](https://digitalgemology.com/gemstones/kunzite/cushion#pro-weight) 1.15 vs 1.27 ct
- [More facets, more sparkle](https://digitalgemology.com/gemstones/kunzite/cushion#pro-scint) 85 vs 80

### Cons

- [Less fire in kunzite than in diamond](https://digitalgemology.com/gemstones/kunzite/cushion#con-fire) 39 vs 73
- [Loses more light when tilted than in diamond](https://digitalgemology.com/gemstones/kunzite/cushion#con-tiltStab) 69 vs 92
- [Returns less light than the T73 in kunzite](https://digitalgemology.com/gemstones/kunzite/cushion#con-brilliance) 84 vs 90
- [Leaks more in kunzite than in diamond](https://digitalgemology.com/gemstones/kunzite/cushion#con-leak) 15 vs 9

Compared with the T73 Round Brilliant in kunzite and with the Cushion Cut in diamond. A difference counts from 3 points (Brilliance, Fire, Tilt, Leakage), 5 (Scintillation, Symmetry), 4% (face-up size per carat) or 5% (weight); Tilt counts as a pro only for a stone within 5 points of the brilliance it is compared with. [How we measure](https://digitalgemology.com/about/how-we-measure).

## All eight scores against the T73

At a glance: the Cushion Cut in kunzite (white) against the T73 Round Brilliant in kunzite (dashed): solid white where it reaches further, hatched where it falls short. Each pro and con is explained, with pictures, below.

Against the T73 Round Brilliant in kunzite: ahead on 2, behind on 6.

- Global 74, the comparison 79, difference −5
- Brilliance 84, the comparison 90, difference −6
- Fire 39, the comparison 47, difference −8
- Scintillation 85, the comparison 80, difference +5
- Spread 98, the comparison 100, difference −2
- Symmetry 97, the comparison 100, difference −3
- Shape-norm 98, the comparison 97, difference +1
- Tilt 69, the comparison 74, difference −5

Face-up light census, a different measure from the Cut Grading Tool; Spread and Shape-norm above 100 sit on the ring. Spread is the census's estimate from depth alone; the face-up size in the pros and cons is measured from each model's outline. [Open it in the Cut Performance Wheel](https://digitalgemology.com/tools/cut-performance-wheel?cut=cushion&stone=kunzite); these are the same census figures as our [Cut Performance Index](https://digitalgemology.com/learn/cut-performance-index).

## What the Cushion Cut gains in kunzite

### Lighter than the same cut in diamond

**1.15 ct** at 6.5 mm, against 1.27 ct for the same cut in diamond (−10%)

Weight follows specific gravity: 3.18 for kunzite against 3.52 for diamond, so the same model at the same size weighs 1.15 ct here and 1.27 ct in diamond, 6.5 mm across. Nothing about the light changes with it.

*Weight of a 6.5 mm Cushion Cut: 1.15 ct in kunzite, 1.27 ct in diamond*

A Cushion Cut 6.5 mm across, weighed from the model's measured volume and each stone's specific gravity.

[Try it yourself: Weights in every gemstone on the Cushion Cut page](https://digitalgemology.com/cuts/cushion#stones)

### More facets, more sparkle

**Scintillation 85** against 80 for the T73 Round Brilliant in kunzite: 5 points higher

Scintillation follows the number of facets the stone shows: 100 × (1 − e^(−facets / 45)). The Cushion Cut has 85 facets and the T73 73, so 85 against 80. It depends on the geometry alone, so it is the same in every stone.

*Facet diagram of the Cushion Cut: its crown, seen face-up, 85 facets in all*

Cushion Cut · 85 facets · Scintillation 85

*Facet diagram of the T73 Round Brilliant: its crown, seen face-up, 73 facets in all*

T73 Round Brilliant · 73 facets · Scintillation 80

Scintillation follows the number of facets: more facets, more and smaller flashes as the stone moves. Compare the facet counts under the drawings; each drawing shows only the crown. Drawn from each cut's own model.

[Try it yourself: Compare the Scintillation spoke in the Cut Performance Wheel](https://digitalgemology.com/tools/cut-performance-wheel?cut=cushion&stone=kunzite)

## What the Cushion Cut gives up in kunzite

### Less fire in kunzite than in diamond

**Fire 39** against 73 for the Cushion Cut in diamond: 34 points lower

Fire is the share of the returned light that splits into color at the exit facet: the census traces each exit again at the refractive index minus and plus the fire spread (0.015 in kunzite) and counts a ray as fire when the two directions differ by more than 0.6°. The Cushion Cut reads 39 against 73 for the same cut in diamond. The figure is the census's; the 3D Gemstone Simulator renders kunzite's fire live.

The fire figure is the census's, traced at the refractive index minus and plus the fire spread. [See the fire in the 3D Gemstone Simulator](https://digitalgemology.com/tools/3d_gemstone_simulator?cut=cushion&stone=kunzite&ct=1.00&view=up&lighting=sun&turn=0): the Cushion Cut in kunzite under the sunny-day lighting.

**What helps:** [the Oval Cut](https://digitalgemology.com/gemstones/kunzite/oval) reads 78 for fire in kunzite, the best of the cuts we score there.

[Try it yourself: See the fire in the 3D Gemstone Simulator](https://digitalgemology.com/tools/3d_gemstone_simulator?cut=cushion&stone=kunzite&ct=1.00&view=up&lighting=sun&turn=0)

### Loses more light when tilted than in diamond

**Tilt 69** against 92 for the Cushion Cut in diamond: 23 points lower

Tilt is how much of its face-up brilliance a stone keeps when the census tilts it 20° about its long axis, with 2,200 rays. The Cushion Cut keeps 69 against 92 for the same cut in diamond. The tilt strips below show the maps at 0°, 10°, 20° and 30°, with each picture's own leak share under it.

Cushion Cut in kunzite · Tilt 69

0° · 10% leak

10° · 21% leak

20° · 35% leak

30° · 41% leak

Cushion Cut in diamond · Tilt 92

0° · 16% leak

10° · 8% leak

20° · 14% leak

30° · 22% leak

Tilt is how much of its own face-up light a stone keeps when tilted. Each frame is the Light Return map with the stone tilted away from you by the angle shown; gray is leakage. The share under each frame is that picture's own.

**What helps:** [the DG-Miliano](https://digitalgemology.com/gemstones/kunzite/dg-miliano) reads 84 for tilt in kunzite, the best of the cuts we score there.

[Try it yourself: Compare the Tilt spoke in the Cut Performance Wheel](https://digitalgemology.com/tools/cut-performance-wheel?cut=cushion&stone=kunzite&vs=cushion&vsstone=diamond)

### Returns less light than the T73 in kunzite

**Brilliance 84** against 90 for the T73 Round Brilliant in kunzite: 6 points lower

Brilliance is the share of the 3,200 census rays that enter the stone and come back out of the crown towards the viewer. In kunzite, whose critical angle is 37.0°, the Cushion Cut returns 84 of 100 and the T73 90. The Cushion Cut's pavilion mains sit at 39.6°, the T73's at 40.8°. The maps below show where each stone's light returns from and where it leaks.

Cushion Cut in kunzite · Brilliance 84

T73 Round Brilliant in kunzite · Brilliance 90

Red, green and blue = light returning to the eye; gray = leakage, light that leaves heading down or stays inside. This is the head-on view; the Brilliance score averages a wider cone of light, so the score can differ from what one picture shows.

**What helps:** [the DG-M5](https://digitalgemology.com/gemstones/kunzite/dg-m5) reads 99 for brilliance in kunzite, the best of the cuts we score there.

[Try it yourself: Open this Light Return map in the simulator](https://digitalgemology.com/tools/3d_gemstone_simulator?cut=cushion&stone=kunzite&ct=1.00&view=up&map=1&turn=0)

### Leaks more in kunzite than in diamond

**Leakage 15** against 9 for the Cushion Cut in diamond: 6 points higher

Leakage is the share of the census rays that enter the stone and leave through the pavilion, or through the crown heading down. The Cushion Cut leaks 15% in kunzite against 9% for the same cut in diamond. Grey in the maps below is leaking light; the share under each picture is that picture's own.

Cushion Cut in kunzite · Leakage 15

0° · 10% leak

10° · 21% leak

20° · 35% leak

30° · 41% leak

Cushion Cut in diamond · Leakage 9

0° · 16% leak

10° · 8% leak

20° · 14% leak

30° · 22% leak

Each frame is the Light Return map with the stone tilted away from you by the angle shown; gray is leakage. The share under each frame is that picture's own.

**What helps:** [the DG-M5](https://digitalgemology.com/gemstones/kunzite/dg-m5) reads 1% for leakage in kunzite, the best of the cuts we score there.

[Try it yourself: Tilt it yourself in the simulator's light map](https://digitalgemology.com/tools/3d_gemstone_simulator?cut=cushion&stone=kunzite&ct=1.00&view=up&map=1&turn=0)

## Our verdict on the Cushion Cut in kunzite

Pick the Cushion Cut in kunzite for this: it weighs less than in diamond and has more facets to sparkle with. The catch: it shows less fire than in diamond, loses more light when tilted than in diamond, returns less light than the T73 and leaks more than in diamond.

If that catch matters more to you, [the Oval Cut](https://digitalgemology.com/gemstones/kunzite/oval) reads 78 for fire in kunzite, the best of the cuts we score there.

Every figure on this page is from our light census, traced at one refractive index: a simulation of the geometry, not a grading report. The 3D files and cutting files below are the same Cushion Cut model we traced.

## Cushion Cut Kunzite: questions

### Is the Cushion a good cut for kunzite?

In our census the Cushion Cut returns 84 of 100 for brilliance and 39 for fire in kunzite, against 90 and 47 for the T73 in the same stone. Against that round and against the same cut in diamond it has 2 pros and 4 cons by our thresholds; the summary above names them.

### What pavilion angle does kunzite need?

At least 37.0° for a round design: kunzite's critical angle is 37.0°, from the low end of its refractive index range, and head-on light has to reflect off both sides of the pavilion and leave through the table. The Cushion Cut's pavilion mains sit at 39.6°.

### How much does a Cushion weigh in kunzite?

At 6.5 mm across, 1.15 ct in kunzite, against 1.27 ct for the same cut in diamond (-10%): kunzite's specific gravity is 3.18, diamond's 3.52.

### Can I see the Cushion in kunzite in 3D?

Yes: the 3D Gemstone Simulator renders it live, with kunzite's own refractive index and dispersion. Kunzite is traced by the same light census as the other gemstones, with its refractive index and fire spread derived from published values, so its scores are on the same scale; the pictures here are our Light Return tracer, and the Cut Performance Wheel sets it against any other cut and stone.

## Get the Cushion Cut files

*6 formats* *Millimeters* *Watertight*

### Cushion Cut 3D files

The Cushion Cut as exact geometry: 85 planar facets, real-world scale, ready for CAD, rendering, printing and casting.

- **STEP** Exact faceted solid for CAD
- **3DM** Rhino, closed mesh on its own layer
- **STL** Watertight mesh for printing and casting
- **OBJ** Mesh for modeling and rendering
- **FBX** Blender, 3ds Max, Maya, Cinema 4D, Unity, Unreal
- **GLB** Web, AR and quick previews

€9.99 · [Personal use](https://digitalgemology.com/licence) [Buy the 3D files](https://digitalgemology.lemonsqueezy.com/checkout/buy/0ab6b522-6f5e-4103-9be4-aa806b5cfb2b)

*GemCad* *96 index*

### Cushion Cut cutting files

The Cushion Cut as a faceting design: 69 + 16 girdles = 85 facets, 96 index, 2-fold mirror-image symmetry, ready for the machine.

- **.asc** GemCad design file, 96 index gear
- **.csv** Tier table: angles, indices and cutting order
- **Diagram** Printable faceting diagram

€6.99 · [Personal use](https://digitalgemology.com/licence) [Buy the cutting files](https://digitalgemology.lemonsqueezy.com/checkout/buy/5a6cedf6-d038-467c-a964-3cbfa3ad9e4e)

Save with a bundle: the Cushion Cut 3D files are also in [Jewelry Essentials 3D](https://digitalgemology.com/cuts/#bundles), 10 cuts for €29.99 until 1 December, then €39.99 (€99.90 as single files). [Buy the bundle](https://digitalgemology.lemonsqueezy.com/checkout/buy/e5c79ed5-97ce-4c62-8dbe-3a172c6245ba?checkout%5Bdiscount_code%5D=BUNDLE25).

Save with a bundle: the Cushion Cut cutting files are also in [Faceter's Classics](https://digitalgemology.com/cuts/#bundles), 10 cuts for €22.49 until 1 December, then €29.99 (€69.90 as single files). [Buy the bundle](https://digitalgemology.lemonsqueezy.com/checkout/buy/9170b0c0-5357-490e-b6ef-3ce4f7fcd282?checkout%5Bdiscount_code%5D=BUNDLE25).

Not sure the files open in your software? [Get the cube free](https://digitalgemology.lemonsqueezy.com/checkout/buy/2d1ab55f-2bd6-4897-a4cd-f3320f54e99e): the same six formats, for your email address, used only to send them ([privacy](https://digitalgemology.com/privacy#free-sample)).

Questions before you buy? [Email us](mailto:support@digitalgemology.com).

## More gemstones and cuts

[Kunzite: optical properties and the top ten cuts](https://digitalgemology.com/gemstones/kunzite) · [The Cushion Cut: specifications, model and files](https://digitalgemology.com/cuts/cushion)

### Other cuts in kunzite

- [T73 Round Brilliant](https://digitalgemology.com/gemstones/kunzite/t73-round-brilliant)
- [T105 Round Brilliant](https://digitalgemology.com/gemstones/kunzite/t105-round-brilliant)
- [DG-Vitruvio](https://digitalgemology.com/gemstones/kunzite/dg-vitruvio)
- [DG-Anteros](https://digitalgemology.com/gemstones/kunzite/dg-anteros)
- [DG-Broken Hearts and Arrows](https://digitalgemology.com/gemstones/kunzite/dg-broken-hearts-and-arrows)
- [Baguette Cut](https://digitalgemology.com/gemstones/kunzite/baguette)
- [Emerald Cut](https://digitalgemology.com/gemstones/kunzite/emerald-cut)
- [Marquise Cut](https://digitalgemology.com/gemstones/kunzite/marquise)
- [Oval Cut](https://digitalgemology.com/gemstones/kunzite/oval)
- [Pear Cut](https://digitalgemology.com/gemstones/kunzite/pear)
- [Radiant Cut](https://digitalgemology.com/gemstones/kunzite/radiant)
- [Rectangle Cut](https://digitalgemology.com/gemstones/kunzite/rectangle)
- [Teardrop Cut](https://digitalgemology.com/gemstones/kunzite/teardrop)
- [Asscher Cut](https://digitalgemology.com/gemstones/kunzite/asscher)
- [Emerald Square Cut](https://digitalgemology.com/gemstones/kunzite/emerald-square)
- [Princess Cut](https://digitalgemology.com/gemstones/kunzite/princess)
- [Radiant Square Cut](https://digitalgemology.com/gemstones/kunzite/radiant-square)
- [Square Cut](https://digitalgemology.com/gemstones/kunzite/square)
- [Triangle Cut](https://digitalgemology.com/gemstones/kunzite/triangle)
- [Trilliant Cut](https://digitalgemology.com/gemstones/kunzite/trilliant)
- [Trillion Cut](https://digitalgemology.com/gemstones/kunzite/trillion)
- [Hexagon Cut](https://digitalgemology.com/gemstones/kunzite/hexagon)
- [Octagon Cut](https://digitalgemology.com/gemstones/kunzite/octagon)
- [Portuguese Bird's Nest Cut](https://digitalgemology.com/gemstones/kunzite/portuguese-birds-nest)
- [Old Single Cut](https://digitalgemology.com/gemstones/kunzite/old-single)
- [Mazarin Cut](https://digitalgemology.com/gemstones/kunzite/mazarin)
- [Peruzzi Cut](https://digitalgemology.com/gemstones/kunzite/peruzzi)
- [Old Mine Cut](https://digitalgemology.com/gemstones/kunzite/old-mine)
- [Old European Cut](https://digitalgemology.com/gemstones/kunzite/old-european)
- [T57 Round Brilliant](https://digitalgemology.com/gemstones/kunzite/t57-round-brilliant)
- [DG-M5](https://digitalgemology.com/gemstones/kunzite/dg-m5)
- [DG-Miliano](https://digitalgemology.com/gemstones/kunzite/dg-miliano)
- [DG-Rafaello](https://digitalgemology.com/gemstones/kunzite/dg-rafaello)
- [DG-Bowtie](https://digitalgemology.com/gemstones/kunzite/dg-bowtie)
- [DG-Elongated Hexagon](https://digitalgemology.com/gemstones/kunzite/dg-elongated-hexagon)
- [DG-Octagonal Kite](https://digitalgemology.com/gemstones/kunzite/dg-octagonal-kite)

### The Cushion Cut in other gemstones

- [Diamond](https://digitalgemology.com/gemstones/diamond/cushion)
- [Moissanite](https://digitalgemology.com/gemstones/moissanite/cushion)
- [Cubic Zirconia](https://digitalgemology.com/gemstones/cubic-zirconia/cushion)
- [Ruby](https://digitalgemology.com/gemstones/ruby/cushion)
- [Sapphire](https://digitalgemology.com/gemstones/sapphire/cushion)
- [Emerald](https://digitalgemology.com/gemstones/emerald/cushion)
- [Amethyst](https://digitalgemology.com/gemstones/amethyst/cushion)
- [Topaz](https://digitalgemology.com/gemstones/topaz/cushion)
- [Spinel](https://digitalgemology.com/gemstones/spinel/cushion)
- [Demantoid](https://digitalgemology.com/gemstones/demantoid/cushion)
- [Zircon](https://digitalgemology.com/gemstones/zircon/cushion)
- [Tourmaline](https://digitalgemology.com/gemstones/tourmaline/cushion)
- [Peridot](https://digitalgemology.com/gemstones/peridot/cushion)
- [Tanzanite](https://digitalgemology.com/gemstones/tanzanite/cushion)
- [YAG](https://digitalgemology.com/gemstones/yag/cushion)
- [Pyrope](https://digitalgemology.com/gemstones/pyrope/cushion)
- [Almandine](https://digitalgemology.com/gemstones/almandine/cushion)
- [Spessartine](https://digitalgemology.com/gemstones/spessartine/cushion)
- [Grossular](https://digitalgemology.com/gemstones/grossular/cushion)
- [Chrysoberyl](https://digitalgemology.com/gemstones/chrysoberyl/cushion)
- [Iolite](https://digitalgemology.com/gemstones/iolite/cushion)
- [Morganite](https://digitalgemology.com/gemstones/morganite/cushion)
- [GGG](https://digitalgemology.com/gemstones/ggg/cushion)
- [Strontium titanate](https://digitalgemology.com/gemstones/strontium-titanate/cushion)
- [Synthetic rutile](https://digitalgemology.com/gemstones/synthetic-rutile/cushion)