Old Mine Cuts

Welcome to The Clear Cut Classroom where we take deep dives into all things diamonds (and jewelry)! This week we’re telling you about another antique cut, the Old Mine cut! This cut is unique, charming, and beautiful. Listen in to learn more! Is it the one for you?

Watch the full video below:
I am SO in love with the old mine cut! It is the antique ancestor to the modern day cushion cut! Similar to the old European cut, they have chunkier facets, a smaller table facets, steeper crown angle and the presence of a culet. They come in all shapes and variations! Sometimes they look more circular and sometimes they’re more square -- they're all so unique and that is what I love most about them. They are so special and unique -- no two are the same!

Like other antique cuts, sometimes the higher grade ones get cut into their modern day counterparts. That means that many old mine cuts are on the lower color scale, but because of the chunkier facets, they mask color so well! Many times the names “old mine” and “antique cushion” are used interchangeably. An old mine is actually an antique cushion, but to have a true old mine cut, it must have certain specifications (like having <55% table, and other certain dimensions). Put simply, all old mines are antique cushion cuts, but antique cushions that fit strict specifications can be an old mine cut. 

Cut grade, polish and symmetry aren’t helpful when looking at antique cuts because they are all so unique... but that is what gives them their charm! They are perfectly imperfect!

Let us know what you want to see next week!

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