News — cuts

Rose cut diamonds began making an appearance in the 1500’s, white rising and falling in popularity this diamond cut pairs with other antique cuts with ease. Rose cut diamonds are covered with petit triangular facets that cover the entirety of the gem. These triangle facets are only covering the tops, the bottom of this diamond cut is flat. These diamonds are excellent at looking large, with the domed top and the flat bottom they can look upwards to twice their actual carat weight. While still being cut by hand and candlelight these Rose cuts can be easier on your pocketbook. With multiple triangular facets covering the diamond, these cuts typically shimmer rather than sparkle. Each facet catches the light and immediately reflects it back to you.

Just like other antique cut diamonds, these Rose cut diamonds come in all shapes and sizes. Making beautiful accent gems for jewelry from all eras. Rose cuts lost popularity when cuts like the Old Mine and Old European cut came to be. These cuts had more shine rather than shimmer. Imperfections are easier to be detected in cuts like the Rose cut, there for diamonds used for Rose cuts are chosen carefully to ensure its beauty. Rose cut diamonds come in may shapes are highlight the rough diamond in its simplest form. Beautifully hand cut, each antique diamond cut showcases its natural beauty.

The Old European or Old Euro cut is a round diamond cut most used in the Art Deco era, or between 1890 – 1930. The Old European cut is what inspired the Round Brilliant cut that is the most popular cut today. This shape diamond was cut by hand with candlelight in mind but was cut for carat weight. Unlike other cuts that focus on brilliance.  Each antique cut diamond has a unique charm, each diamond cutter must rely on their hands rather than technology, making each diamond one of a kind. The diamond cuts in this era also had beautiful warm hues, relevant to the location that they were mined. Around the 1900’s diamonds began to be mined in South Africa; this is where about ninety percent of the diamonds are collected. With some still coming from Brazil and India.  Antique diamond very in warmth for color due to where they are mined, hue is determined by minerals and resources available in the growth of the crystal. Old Euros were cut with carat weight in mind rather than brilliance.

Old European cuts have a large crown and a small table allowing most of the diamond weight to be at the head. And unlike the Old Mine cut diamonds the old Euros have a flat culet instead of a tip, this allows the culet to be seen through the table. The steep crown allows for more fire to be shown off in the Old European cut diamonds. This is complimented by the deep cuts of the facets encouraging lite to travel farther, encouraging light to be reflected to your eye. Although with pros come cons, with greater depth there comes more light leakage. Making these antique cuts not look as bright as todays modern cut diamonds. These old European cuts are more symmetrical than other antique cuts and are exceptional in antique engagement rings. Antique diamonds cut by hand, by candlelight are unique and beautiful, allowing their natural beauty shine.

One of the most favored antique diamond cuts is the Old Mine Cut. From the early 18^th century to the late 19^th century, the Old Mine Cut was the most common. Typically found in the Georgian (1714-1837) and Victorian (1837-1901) eras this cushion shape was cut by hand using a lamp as the light source. Giving each diamond an individual unique look. Since the Old Miners are cut by hand, they have the ability to sparkle and catch the light, with many different light sources. Modern cut diamonds cannot compare. These old cut diamonds are chunky in shape and typically have a warmer hue, the Old Mines cushion shape comes from the diamond being cut from a rough gem and lack of machinery, these diamonds are closer to their natural form. Diamonds at this time were mined from mines in Brazil and India, just like the diamonds the locations at which they are mined are unique. Each location has different mineral deposits and different resources that grow the diamond itself giving the various natural hues to the antique cuts.

This diamond shape got its name Old Mine, from the original old diamond mines they were discovered in. The way to identifying an Old Mine cut diamond is typically, they have a small table, most noticeable by looking at the diamond from above. Most have large culets which is where all the facets join at the bottom of the diamond. This is most noticeable while looking from the top through the table. Old Mine cuts have a high crown and deep pavilion making the diamond taller than modern cuts. Old Mine cuts are perfectly imperfect and unsymmetrical. This is due to the way they are cut. Giving the diamond a more organic look, true to the diamond's natural crystal form. Old Mine cut diamonds are one of a handful of antique cuts, beautiful in cut, sparkle, and hue.   

Engagement and Wedding rings are not just for woman. Typically, in the US men get women engagement rings and then later add a wedding band to that initial ring. Who is to say that men shouldn’t have an engagement ring as well? In some European cultures it is encouraged for men to also wear an engagement ring alongside their partner. Due to tradition, men can feel uncomfortable or embarrassed to wear a ring before the wedding. There are still some that do not wear a ring even after nuptials because of their career, comfort, or other numerous reasons. Back in the 1900’s and earlier men and woman did not wear wedding or engagement rings. This was due to costs, safety, etc..  

In the 20^th century is when it all began. During the World Wars men began to wear wedding rings as a means of remembering their loved ones. After the Korean War wedding bands took on the meaning that they have today.  Wedding and engagement rings are a symbol of one another’s love and devotion. A piece that is treasured for a lifetime. Men’s rings are typically simple in design with a comfort fit, but don’t let the norm dull your zest. The options are as endless, find the perfect ring that highlights his/your personality. Diamond, Gold, Platinum, colored gems let us help you find the perfect piece.