If you've been scrolling engagement rings and stopped on a diamond that looks a little softer, a little chunkier and a lot more romantic than everything else, there's a good chance it was an old mine cut. They're one of my favorite stones to work with, so let's talk about them.
Where the old mine cut comes from
The old mine cut is an antique diamond shape that was popular from the 1700s through the late 1800s, long before modern cutting machines. Every stone was cut by hand, so each one has its own personality. The name comes from the old diamond mines these stones originally came from.
How to spot one
- A cushiony outline. Somewhere between square and round, with soft rounded corners.
- A high crown and a small table. The top of the stone sits taller, with a smaller flat surface on top.
- An open culet. The bottom point is flattened, so you can often see a tiny circle when you look straight down through the stone. Collectors love it.
- Big, chunky facets. Instead of the tiny pinfire sparkle of a modern round brilliant, old mine cuts throw broad flashes of light.
Old mine cut vs. modern round brilliant
A modern round brilliant is engineered for maximum sparkle. It's bright, crisp and very uniform. An old mine cut is moodier and more romantic. It glows more than it glitters, and it looks incredible in candlelight (which makes sense, since that's the light it was originally cut for). Neither one is better. It's all about the look that makes you happy.
Can you get an old mine cut in a lab grown diamond?
Yes! You can choose a true antique stone that's been around for 150+ years, or a lab grown diamond cut in the old mine style. Antique stones come with history and every one is truly one of a kind. Lab grown old mine cuts give you that same vintage look in a bigger size for your budget. I source both, and I'm happy to walk you through the tradeoffs.
How to choose a good one
- Look at it in person or on video. Old mine cuts vary a lot from stone to stone, so photos and grading reports only tell part of the story.
- Don't chase perfect numbers. Because they were cut by hand, antique stones won't grade like modern ones. Trust your eyes.
- Think about color. Many antique stones have a slightly warm tone that looks gorgeous in yellow gold.
- Pick the right setting. A low profile setting lets the chunky facets do the talking.
Want to see some in person?
This is exactly what I love helping with. Book a consult and I'll pull old mine cuts in your size and budget, both antique and lab grown, so you can see the difference for yourself.
Love ya, mean it!
Taylor
