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We go beyond the GIA's 4 Cs, to select the worlds most beautiful diamonds, the smart way. Learn more about how we buy our diamonds here so you can buy with confidence.
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Be guided on your journey by one of our expert design and gemstone consultants. Select your favourite design, handpick your gemstone from our rare and multi-faceted collection and learn about our difference when it comes to the diamond 4 C's and coloured gemstone sourcing.
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To preserve the beauty of your precious piece of jewellery, you are advised to treat them with great care and handle them with delicacy.
Discover why Antique Diamonds are rare, beautiful and truly sustainable.
Antique cut diamonds are those mined and cut before 1930. It's important to distinguish between genuine antique diamonds and modern "antique-style" cuts. While modern techniques can replicate some aspects of antique cuts, they often fall short in capturing the unique beauty of true antiques.
An antique diamond is a stone cut in an antique style from a bygone era. Be specific when discussing your needs with a jeweler. If you're seeking a genuine antique, ensure it's described as "antique" rather than just "antique cut." Officially, jewelry over 100 years old is considered antique. We include diamonds from the 1930s and 1940s in our antique and vintage classification.
Antique diamonds possess several unique qualities that set them apart from modern cuts:
The methods used to cut these diamonds have been lost to time, as they were passed down through generations of skilled artisans. In today's fast-paced, technology-driven world, these hand-cutting techniques are no longer economically viable, making each antique diamond a truly irreplaceable piece of history.
Unlike the Table Cut (named for its flat top, which is table-like in appearance), the Rose Cut wasn’t designed for octahedral-shaped rough. Instead, it provided an efficient and appealing way to use flattened, shallow, or “macle” shaped rough. (Macle is a term used in the diamond trade to describe a flat, triangular, rough diamond.)
The Peruzzi Cut was introduced by Vincent Peruzzi, a polisher from Venice in the early 17th century, and is considered one of the first “brilliant cuts” created. Before this time, most diamonds were cut in a simple facet arrangement with eight crown facets. Peruzzi tripled the amount of facets to 33 (“triple-cut”) which added a lot of fire and sparkle to the diamond.
The unmatched brilliance and fire/scintillation of the Old Mine made it the most popular cut of the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries. Today, the Old Mine Cut is in high demand for use in engagement rings. These diamonds get their name from how they were sourced—from the “old mines”.
The Old European Cut was the precursor to today’s modern Brilliant Cut. The invention of the steam-driven diamond bruting machine in the late 1800s allowed cutters to fashion an evenly-rounded girdle for the first time, as opposed to a cushion shape like the Old Mine. This significant advance in the cutting process led to the creation of the Old European Cut.
Invented by the Royal Asscher Diamond Company in 1902 the Asscher Cut didn’t gain popularity until the Art Deco era in the 1920s. This diamond is one of the very first patented diamond cuts in the world.
The Transitional Cut was short-lived, but incredibly important in cutting history. This cut, also known as Early American Cuts or Early Modern Cuts, bridged the gap between the Old Cuts and the Modern Round Brilliant.
Transitional Cuts were the precursor to the Modern Round Brilliant. They featured more precise cutting, and therefore a symmetry and brilliance, which had never been seen before.
These antique cuts represent significant milestones in diamond cutting history, each reflecting the technological capabilities and aesthetic preferences of its era. Their rarity and unique characteristics make them highly valued by collectors and those seeking a diamond with historical significance.
Antique jewelry is over 100 years old, while vintage pieces are not modern but not old enough to be antique. Both categories often feature more elaborate designs than contemporary pieces, each carrying its own historical significance.
It's crucial to differentiate between genuine antique diamonds and modern "antique-style" cuts. Modern replicas often lack the high crowns and unique cutting qualities of true antiques. Genuine antique diamonds possess characteristics that are extremely difficult to replicate with today's computer-driven and laser cutting technologies.
Hamish Whiting, our in-house Gemologist and co-founder, sources our antique diamonds. With extensive experience and training from GIA and HRD, Hamish operates from the Antwerp Diamond Bourse, granting us access to some of the rarest and most beautiful antique diamonds.
Antique diamonds were cut by hand, relying on the jeweler's skill and eye. Modern diamonds, emerging in the 1950s with computer-assisted techniques, are cut to precise, standardized measurements. This mid-20th century shift marks the divide between antique and modern diamonds.
Antique diamonds typically feature:
Yes, old cut diamonds do sparkle, though differently from modern cuts. They were often cut for candlelight viewing, giving them a unique glow in certain lighting conditions. While some early cuts like rose may sparkle less, many antique cuts offer a captivating play of light with amazing fire.
Antique diamond prices are influenced by market demand, which has increased over the past 20 years. As these diamonds age and become scarcer, their value often increases. While they may not sparkle like modern brilliants, their historical significance and rarity contribute to their value.
When considering an old cut antique diamond, it's important to adjust your expectations and criteria. These diamonds typically have warmer colors, often falling in the I-J-K range or warmer. However, due to their unique cut, they often "face up whiter" than modern stones of the same color grade. While grading reports can provide useful information, it's crucial to prioritize your personal taste and emotional response to the stone. Examine the diamond in person if possible, as old cut diamonds each have their own character that may not be fully captured in a report. Consider color and clarity to ensure fair market value, but place less emphasis on cut grade and symmetry, as these were not standardized in antique diamonds. Above all, focus on the overall beauty and charm of the stone rather than adhering strictly to modern grading criteria.
Choosing an old cut antique diamond offers several unique advantages. Firstly, these diamonds are an ethical choice, as they reduce the demand for new mining and utilize existing resources. Each antique diamond is inherently unique, hand-cut by skilled artisans of the past, ensuring that your stone is truly one-of-a-kind. These diamonds carry significant historical value, allowing you to own and wear a piece of history. As technology continues to advance and we move further away from hand-crafted jewelry, these antique diamonds become increasingly rare and valuable. They carry the romance and charm of a bygone era, offering a connection to the past that modern cuts simply cannot replicate. Owning an antique diamond is not just about having a beautiful gemstone; it's about possessing a small piece of human history and craftsmanship that will only become more precious with time.
Eco-friendly: Antique diamonds are repurposed, as opposed to newly mined, making them a more environmentally conscious choice.
Antique diamonds were cut entirely by hand giving each stone a unique character and charm, versus modern cut diamonds which are precision cut using new technologies and therefore very uniform in appearance.
Antique diamonds have larger faceting and a softer “blocky” sparkle in contrast to the more “blingy” appearance of modern cut diamonds.
Antique diamonds are steeped in history, each one with a unique story, each a relic of the past.
Rarity, Antique diamonds are very difficult to source as many have been recut into modern cut diamonds over the years. The exact methods of cutting an antique diamond have been lost as they were taught generation to generation and in today’s fast paced world hand cutting methods would be deemed uneconomical.
Our sizing is based on the inner diameter of our ring in millimetres. Refer to the measuring chart in our guide.