GradingApr 07, 2026
GIA CFO David Tearle to Retire in June GradingMay 28, 2026
GCAL By Sarine Launches 8X Cushion Cut
The lab’s proprietary diamond cut grade has been expanded to include the popular fancy shape.
The GCAL 8X Cushion Cut Grade is available now for qualifying natural and lab-grown cushion brilliant diamonds.
New York—GCAL by Sarine has expanded its 8X Ultimate Cut Grade program to include cushion-cut diamonds.
The proprietary grading process evaluates eight factors—polish, external symmetry, proportions, optical brilliance, fire, scintillation, optical symmetry, and shape aesthetics.
It was introduced in 2023, created to provide more information about light performance, shape appeal, and cut precision, which is often limited in traditional grading processes for fancy shapes, GCAL said.
Cushion cuts are “especially challenging” to standardize, GCAL said, because the shape requires a precise balance of outline, rounded corners, facet structure, contrast pattern, light return, and the minimization of the bowtie effect—a dark shadow that can appear across the center of some elongated diamonds.
The GCAL 8X Cushion standard was developed through technical research, advanced measurement, optical imaging, and direct light performance analysis.
The lab looked at traditional proportion measurements, as well as the relationship between craftsmanship, shape aesthetics, and visible performance.
“Cushion cuts have tremendous consumer appeal, but they have also been one of the most difficult fancy shapes for retailers and consumers to compare confidently,” said Angelo Palmieri, president of GCAL by Sarine.
Two cushion diamonds can have the same carat weight, color, and clarity, yet look “dramatically different” because of cut quality and optical performance, the lab said.
Palmieri continued, “The GCAL 8X Cushion Cut Grade gives the market a precise, transparent, and independently verified way to identify cushion diamonds that truly perform at the highest level.”
Related stories will be right here …
The proprietary grading process evaluates eight factors—polish, external symmetry, proportions, optical brilliance, fire, scintillation, optical symmetry, and shape aesthetics.
It was introduced in 2023, created to provide more information about light performance, shape appeal, and cut precision, which is often limited in traditional grading processes for fancy shapes, GCAL said.
Cushion cuts are “especially challenging” to standardize, GCAL said, because the shape requires a precise balance of outline, rounded corners, facet structure, contrast pattern, light return, and the minimization of the bowtie effect—a dark shadow that can appear across the center of some elongated diamonds.
The GCAL 8X Cushion standard was developed through technical research, advanced measurement, optical imaging, and direct light performance analysis.
The lab looked at traditional proportion measurements, as well as the relationship between craftsmanship, shape aesthetics, and visible performance.
“Cushion cuts have tremendous consumer appeal, but they have also been one of the most difficult fancy shapes for retailers and consumers to compare confidently,” said Angelo Palmieri, president of GCAL by Sarine.
Two cushion diamonds can have the same carat weight, color, and clarity, yet look “dramatically different” because of cut quality and optical performance, the lab said.
Palmieri continued, “The GCAL 8X Cushion Cut Grade gives the market a precise, transparent, and independently verified way to identify cushion diamonds that truly perform at the highest level.”
The lab said it has seen an increase in fancy-shaped diamond submissions, reflecting demand for elongated shapes.
In addition to the new cushion cut offering, the 8X program is available for oval, princess, radiant, pear, and marquise cuts.
“Our 8X program continues to set the benchmark for excellence in fancy shapes,” Palmieri added. “With cushion, we are bringing greater clarity and confidence to a shape that consumers love, but that has historically been difficult to evaluate consistently.”
Each GCAL 8X cushion-cut diamond is accompanied by a certificate with detailed cut quality analysis, light performance documentation, imaging, and the lab’s money back guarantee.
The grade is available for qualifying natural and lab-grown cushion brilliant diamonds.
For more information about GCAL 8X Cushion, visit its website or contact sales@gcalusa.com.
More on Grading
The Latest
SurveysOct 16, 2026
How Inflation, Gas Prices Will Affect Holiday Sales The NRF is expecting holiday sales to increase this year, but consumers and retailers alike are facing Grinch-like headwinds.
CollectionsOct 16, 2026
Christina Puchi’s Earrings Hold the UniverseOur Piece of the Week gathers the planets, represented by a variety of colored gemstones, in a pair of 14-karat yellow gold earrings.
IndependentsOct 16, 2026
Reeds Jewelers Expands, Relocates FlagshipThe New York-based jeweler is moving its Amherst flagship store to a larger location in nearby Snyder.
Brought to you by
Meet Gemology’s Next Generation Microscope: GIA® Gemolite® NXT Professional EditionExperience gemstones with greater precision and comfort than ever before.
MajorsOct 16, 2026
Katy Chen Appointed Executive Vice President of Graff USA Chen, who worked at Cartier and Tiffany & Co., will lead retail sales and operations for the luxury jeweler’s 11 U.S. stores.
Weekly QuizOct 15, 2026
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
IndependentsOct 15, 2026
Retailer Hall of Fame 2026: Amy and Elise Greenberg For 40 years, sisters Amy and Elise Greenberg have helmed their 126-year-old family business, leading with appreciation and integrity.
ColumnistsOct 15, 2026
Peter Smith: What Is the Culture REP?It’s a term Smith coined and felt compelled to share following a bad experience with an aborted flight and an unfeeling flight attendant.
Brought to you by
Your Piece Could Be the One Editors Talk AboutSubmit your pieces for a chance to win in this year's competition.
WatchesOct 15, 2026
Stephanie Gottlieb’s New Movado Watches Are Made for Your Wrist StackMovado teamed up with the New York-based fine jewelry designer on a new collection of Movado Museum Velura watches.
SourcingOct 15, 2026
Signet Jewelers, Richemont May Join Bidder for De Beers, Report SaysThe two companies are reportedly in talks to join the Global Diamond Consortium, led by former De Beers CEO Gareth Penny, as per Bloomberg.
CollectionsOct 15, 2026
Wolf x Marla Aaron's New Jewelry Box Is for Some (Not All) of Your ThingsThe “Some of the Things” box follows the two larger “Everything” box designs with the look and function of antique sewing and toolboxes.
IndependentsOct 14, 2026
Retailer Hall of Fame 2026: Coleman and Mitchell ClarkFourth-generation jewelers Coleman and Mitchell Clark exemplify the best qualities of their predecessors: humility, modesty, and confidence.
SourcingOct 14, 2026
Manuel Marcial de Gomar, ‘The Emerald Whisperer,’ Dies at 90The gem hunter, whose 70-year career was defined by adventure and exploration, is remembered for his steadfast faith and sense of wonder.
FinancialsOct 14, 2026
LVMH’s Jewelry Brands Turn in ‘Very Good’ Performance in Q3 Tiffany & Co. continued its full-scale store renovation project while Bulgari’s high jewelry collection generated “record-breaking revenue.”
Events & AwardsOct 14, 2026
Chicago Responsible Jewelry Conference Releases 2026 ProgramThis year’s sessions feature leading voices from human rights, legal, and conservation organizations.
MajorsOct 13, 2026
David Webb Owner Purchases Lugano JewelryThe high-end jewelry retailer was sold to private investment firm Middle West Partners and a group of longtime clients.
Lab-GrownOct 13, 2026
Stephanie Gottlieb Takes Lab-Grown Diamond Collection WholesaleThe jewelry designer has partnered with Sofer Jewelry to distribute her 85-piece lab-grown diamond collection.
IndependentsOct 13, 2026
Retailer Hall of Fame 2026: Sean DunnDunn, this year’s Single-Store Independent inductee, is passionate about innovation and telling the story of natural diamonds.
AuctionsOct 13, 2026
Christie's Geneva To Auction 'Bulgari Pink' DiamondThe 24-carat fancy intense pink diamond ring could fetch up to $18 million at the November sale.
IndependentsOct 13, 2026
Greenwich St. Jewelers’ New Candle Smells Like HomeThe “Island Jewel” candle honors New York City and Puerto Rico and raises money for the island’s water relief efforts.
TechnologyOct 13, 2026
GemFind Is a New JA Member Benefit Partner The partnership will give JA members access to preferred pricing, exclusive benefits, technology solutions, education, and resources.
SurveysOct 09, 2026
These Will Be the 10 Busiest Days for In-Store Shopping This Holiday SeasonStores should expect to see the most customers on Nov. 27, and Christmas week is expected to be hectic too, as Dec. 25 falls on a Friday.
CollectionsOct 09, 2026
Elisa Solomon Collabs With Serendipity 3 on ‘Frozen Hot Chocolate’ CharmThe charm, our Piece of the Week, features brown diamond frozen hot chocolate topped with white diamond whipped cream and a ruby straw.
AuctionsOct 09, 2026
8-Carat Blue Diamond Goes Unsold at UK Jewelry Auction The top lot of Elmwood’s recent fine jewelry sale in London was a 1.84-carat, D color Tiffany & Co. solitaire diamond ring.
WatchesOct 09, 2026
Movado to Sell Majority Stake in Ebel for $66.5MThe watch company agreed to sell a 95 percent interest to a group comprised of F.P. Journe, Chanel, and Swiss watch exec Pierre Jacques.
Policies & IssuesOct 08, 2026
Third Wave of IEEPA Tariff Refunds Begins This round of tariff refunds is for importers that have sued over IEEPA tariffs in the Court of International Trade and won.
CollectionsOct 08, 2026
Brent Neale’s New Collection Goes ‘Back to Basics’It revisits the brand’s most requested silhouettes, from "Pillow"-set necklaces and bracelets to "Signature"-set rings and earrings.
