Antique Cuts

Antique cuts predate mechanised, symmetry-optimised faceting: Old Mine Cut and Old European Cut were both hand-cut to the proportions and equipment available before the mid-20th century, prioritising a stone's face-up appearance under candlelight over the light-return mathematics that define modern brilliants.

What distinguishes this family

Old Mine Cut has a squarish-to-rounded cushion outline; Old European Cut has a circular outline and is the direct ancestor of the modern round brilliant. Both typically show a high crown, small table and a visible culet — proportions a modern cut grade would mark down, but that are exactly what makes an antique stone read as antique rather than as a poorly-cut modern one.

Cuts in this family

Buying considerations

• A genuine antique stone and a modern reproduction cut in the antique style ("antique-style cushion") are priced very differently — ask directly which one you're looking at, since the outline alone doesn't tell you.
• A visible culet and lower light performance than a modern brilliant are period-correct, not defects — don't judge these against modern cut-grade standards.
• Hand-cut faceting means genuine antique stones show natural asymmetry — near-perfect symmetry is itself a signal the stone may be a modern reproduction.

Jewellery uses

Both cuts suit period-style and vintage-inspired engagement rings and antique jewellery restoration; their warmer, more candlelit character is a deliberate contrast to a modern brilliant.