What is An Old Mine Cut Diamond : All You Need to Know
If you’re in search of mined or lab diamonds, you’ll come across various terms. For instance, lab grown diamonds, cushion-cut diamonds, or old European-cut diamonds. And some of the terms may seem alien to you. One such diamond industry term that many aren’t familiar with, is old mine-cut diamonds.
In this blog, we’ll take a thorough look at old mine-cut diamonds.
What are old mine cut diamonds?
Old mine-cut diamonds are different from modern diamonds. They have their origins in the 18th century. Unlike the new-age mined and lab-grown diamonds that are cut and polished using high-tech machines, old mine-cut diamonds were cut and polished by hand.
These diamonds have distinct features — a high crown, small table, and large cutlet. The large facets of old mine cut diamonds are because of the technology used at the time. Old mine-cut diamonds usually have 58 facets. They have an uneven and less symmetrical arrangement, which makes them unique.
Characteristics of old mine cut diamonds?
Now let’s get into the details of the characteristics of old mine-cut diamonds. To understand them clearly, take a look at the diamond anatomy in the image.
58 facets: Old mine-cut diamonds have 58 facets, just like many modern diamond cuts.
Small table: Old mine-cut diamonds have small tables. Place this diamond next to a modern cut lab diamond, and you’ll be able to see the difference.
Large culet: The culet is the bottom most pointed part of the diamond. In old mine-cut diamonds, the culet is large, often visible through the table when seen from the top.
High crown and deep pavilion: The upper part of the diamond called crown is much higher in old mine-cut diamonds. Moreover, the pavilion, the lower part of the diamond, is deep.
Short lower half facet: As the old mine cut diamond has a larger culet, it has much shorter lower half facets when compared to other diamonds, such as the old European cut diamond.
Asymmetrical features: Old mine-cut diamonds, because they’re cut by hand, have many imperfections and are asymmetrical.
Old mine cut vs lab grown diamonds
The first question we should ask is, are there lab-grown diamonds available in the old mine diamond cut style? The answer is, yes, there can be.
There are many consumers who prefer to go with the old-world charm and prefer the asymmetry and bulkiness of old mine-cut diamonds. And lab-grown diamonds can be cut in a way to look like old mine-cut diamonds.
However, many old mine-cut diamonds are mined diamonds, found and cut before the advent of lab diamonds. The advantage is the lab-grown diamond price. Diamonds created in labs are much cheaper than mined diamonds.
Old mine cut vs old European cut: difference
Many people confuse the old European-cut diamonds with old mine-cut diamonds, probably because of the name. However, the two are different. The main difference lies in the diamond shape.
The old European-cut diamond originated in the early 1700s. The old European cut diamond is a precursor of the round brilliant cut diamond, most commonly available today. It has a rounder shape compared to old mine-cut diamonds. Moreover, it has more depth than the modern round brilliant diamond.
Look at the image below to see the old mine cut and old European cut diamond shapes and characteristics.
Summing up: which are the best diamonds to buy?
Diamonds are subjective. The best diamonds would depend on your personal preference and requirements. However, going by the popularity, you must choose the lab grown diamonds, no matter the diamond cut or the diamond shapes.
There are many benefits to choosing old mine-cut lab diamonds. The lab-grown diamond prices are much lesser compared to mined diamonds of the same cut and quality.
Moreover, lab diamonds are sustainable and easily available. What is more, you can customize your lab grown diamond the way you want it.
