Old Cut Diamond Education
What are Old Mine Cut Diamond?
Old mine cut diamonds are a classic type of antique diamond, distinguished by their hand-cut craftsmanship. Unlike modern diamonds, which are shaped with high-tech equipment, these diamonds were manually cut, giving them a unique, warm sparkle that many people love about antique diamonds.
According to the GIA, the term "Old Mine Cut" came into use in the 1800s, when diamond production in Africa began to surpass that of the "old mines" in India and Brazil.
The old mine cut is sometimes referred to as the “miner’s cut” in diamond guides and online. This cut was widely used throughout the 18th and 19th centuries in various diamond rings and other jewelry pieces.
Aesthetically, old mine cut diamonds share some similarities with modern diamonds. They also have several key differences that give them their unique appearance.
Old mine cut diamonds have a square shape with soft, gently rounded corners. Viewed from above, they resemble the modern cushion cut diamond, with a similar outline but a distinct antique charm.
History of Old Mine Cut Diamonds
Old mine cut diamonds date back to the early 18th century, a time when diamonds were cut and shaped by hand. The skill and artistry of the diamond cutter played a crucial role in determining each diamond's proportions, appearance, and overall beauty.
The old mine cut was especially popular during the Georgian, Victorian, and Edwardian eras. In fact, it was arguably the most favored diamond cut from the early 18th century until the final decades of the 19th century.
In the late 19th century, the old European cut — a transitional cut between the old mine cut and the modern brilliant cut — became a more popular choice.
Unlike modern diamond cuts, which are often named based on their shape, the term “old mine cut” can be a bit confusing for potential diamond buyers.
The name “old mine cut” doesn’t refer to the diamond’s shape, but rather to the origin of the rough diamonds used in 18th and 19th-century jewelry. To understand this, a brief history of the early diamond industry is needed
Until the late 19th century, most diamonds used in jewelry were sourced from mines in India and Brazil. India was the world’s first major diamond source, with diamond mining dating back to ancient times. Cities like Golconda became renowned for producing large, stunning diamonds and accumulating great wealth.
In 1724, diamonds were discovered near what is now Belo Horizonte in Brazil, making the country another major supplier of diamonds. Throughout the 18th century, India and Brazil were the primary sources of diamonds used in jewelry. However, in the 1860s, the discovery of diamonds in South Africa sparked a massive boom in diamond mining across the African continent.
Originally, the term “old mine” referred to diamonds sourced from the mines in India or Brazil, which were considered the "old" sources of the diamond industry. Over time, it came to describe diamonds from any country cut in this traditional style. Old mine cut diamonds remained popular until the late 19th century, after which the old European cut became the preferred diamond shape.
By the early-to-mid 20th century, as diamond measuring and cutting technology
advanced, both antique diamond cuts were largely replaced by modern shapes like the round brilliant cut.