A Brief History of the Old Mine Cut
The Old Mine Cut was first popular during the Victorian and Edwardian periods when diamonds were mined primarily in South Africa. The cut was developed to make the most of the rough diamonds that were available at the time. Today, Old Mine Cut diamonds are considered to be antique gems and are highly sought after by collectors and diamond enthusiasts who appreciate vintage jewelry.How Do They Differ from Modern Diamonds?
Old mine cut diamonds differ from modern diamonds in a few ways.- First, old mine cut diamonds tend to be smaller than modern diamonds.
- They have a deeper pavilion, which means that they reflect light differently than modern diamonds.
- Finally, old mine cut diamonds often have larger culets, which is the point at the bottom of the diamond.
How to Pick the Perfect Old Mine Cut Diamond
When choosing an old mine cut diamond, it is crucial to consider the four Cs: carat weight, color, clarity, and cut.- Carat weight: The carat weight of a diamond is the measure of how large the diamond is. The higher the carat weight, the larger the diamond.
- Color: The color of a diamond is judged on a scale from D (no hue) to Z (a yellow-hued diamond). The less color in a diamond, the rarer and more valuable it is.
- Clarity: Clarity is judged on a 6-point scale from IF (flawless) to I3 (included). A flawless diamond has no blemishes or inclusions, while an included diamond has visible blemishes or inclusions.
- Cut: Cut is judged on a 5-point scale from excellent to poor. The better the cut, the more brilliant the diamond will be.