*Our inventory and website are currently being updated* Do not hesitate to reach out to us with any inquiries.
0 Cart
Added to Cart
    You have items in your cart
    You have 1 item in your cart
    Total

    News — old mine

    Birthstone of May

    Birthstone of May

    The birthstone for the month of May is the emerald, a green gemstone that is the green variety of the mineral beryl. Emeralds range in color from slightly yellowish green, to pure green, to slightly bluish green, with pure green emeralds being the most popular and valuable.[1]
    Emeralds are mined in Colombia, and the May birthstone is often treated to improve its color or clarity. Common treatment methods include dyeing, where paler emeralds with multiple fractures may be dyed green to enhance their color. [1]
    In addition to being the birthstone for May, the emerald is also said to symbolize love and rebirth.

    Sources:
    1. Geology. "Birthstones by Month: Chart and Photos. <https://geology.com/gemstones/birthstones/>

    French Cut

    French Cut

    Being wildly popular in France, the French cut can be traced back to the 1400’s but became more common in the 1700’s and making a third debut in the Art Deco era (1920’s). Evolving through time, with a wide variety of faceting combinations. This hand cut shape is most used for smaller accent gems. Making the French cut shape used on a variety of gems, like sapphires, rubies, emeralds, and semi-precious gemstones. The simplistic design of the French cut produces a spectacular light display lighting up the facets with ease. With a livelier appearance this cut was perfect in accenting the geometric designs of the Art Deco era, used in bracelets, accenting diamonds in engagement rings, and placed in eternity bands. The facets in this cut give the piece they are in a beautiful vibrance other accents are unable to achieve.

    The crisscross pattern of the triangular facets of the square or rectangle French Cut gems encourages their brilliance. While giving gems an exquisite shape perfectly versatile, focal point or accent piece, the French cut was a steppingstone in creating today’s modern step and brilliant cuts.

    Rose Cut

    Rose Cut

    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.

     

    Old European Cut

    Old European Cut

    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.

    Old Mine Cut

    Old Mine Cut

    One of the most favored antique diamond cuts is the Old Mine Cut. From the early 18th century to the late 19th 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.