Antique Diamonds: Old Mine and Old European Cut

Antique diamonds are diamonds which are not cut to todays standard proportions. Most common antique cuts are Old European, Old Mine, Rose Cut, Double Rose Cut and Briollet. Only two of the antique cuts are cut by the same principals as the Round Brilliant and other brilliant cuts which are made today. The Old European and Old Mine Cuts are predecessors of todays brilliant cut diamonds. To read more about the parameters which make them similar to todays diamond cuts read "Antique Diamonds - Old European Cut VS Round Brilliant."

Old European Cut is round while the Old Mine Cut is like todays Cushion cut, which is squarish with rounded corners.  Both have a large table facet and are meant to be vied from above, as opposed to the Double Rose Cut and the Briollet which can be vied from any direction.  The antique diamond is usually poorly cut due to the lack of technologies available at the times and therefore has uneven proportions.  This makes it less valuable when judged by todays standards but this also gives it the charm on an antique.  A perfect round brilliant cut diamond will not look as good in an antique piece of jewelry.

While it was originally believed that antique diamonds where poorly cut and should be re-cut to gain value, this is no longer true. Many years ago, appraisers valued an antique diamond based on how large of a round brilliant stone could be cut from it. Today, the demand for antique diamonds is high. Some companies are actually cutting new diamonds to old proportions such as the Old Mine and Old European cut diamonds. The cuts have earned the right to exist on their own and should be valued accordingly.

As with any fancy shape other then the round, the value is usually at least 25 percent less then for a round brilliant. Considering that a lot of weight is retained when cutting an Old Mine Cut or an Old European, the price should be at least 30 percent cheaper then the Round Brilliant when buying a new stone. Old diamonds shouldn't differ in price.

To add romance to an engagement ring consider reading "Diamond Alternatives for Engagement Rings."

Good luck finding your stone.