Old European Cut Diamond Diagram

History diagram of old diamond cuts showing their evolution from the most primitive point cut to the most advanced pre tolkowsky cut old european.

Old european cut diamond diagram. The old european diamond has a very small table a heavy crown and great overall depth. The proportions of a diamond s cut determine how well the stone will return light to the eye of the observer. The 18th and 19th centuries were the time of the old mine cut stones. European diamond cutting would have originated in venice.

The round diamond gained popularity in the late 1800s due to advances in cutting technology that helped refine and standardize the way diamonds were cut. Like the old mine cut diamonds cut into this shape possess a high crown small table and a large flat culet. With 58 facets it is the predecessor of today s modern round brilliant cut. Old european cut diamond characteristics.

Different styles of old miner cut diamonds. The history of diamond cutting officially began in the middle ages when diamonds became fashionable in europe. Characteristically an old european cut diamond has a smaller table and higher crowns than their modern counterpart. The old european cut a plot diagram for the old european cut shows a round shape with a smaller culet right when compared to the old mine cut.

The rose cut is omitted but it could be considered intermediate between the old single and mazarin cuts. Old mine cut diamonds omc date back to the early 18th century and are precursors of the modern round brilliant cut. The old european cut historically gia has described unmodified round brilliant cut diamonds as either round brilliant or old european the old european cut was an early evolutionary stage in the progression toward the modern round brilliant. Antique diamonds have old cuts that usually don t maximize the stone s brilliance as well as contemporary cuts do.

They look somewhat reminiscent of the present day cushion cut and take on a stubby appearance see diamond on left. Due to that increase in demand diamond prices rose. This diamond cut was the fore runner of the modern brilliant cut. Like the modern round brilliant the old european diamond has a circular round shape.

This diagram illustrates the six most popular antique diamond cuts throughout history. However the old european cut has a circular girdle. The primary reason for the differences between an old european cut diamond and a modern brilliant cut diamond is that the former is a more rudimentary hand cut stone.