Cut Diamond Rings

What is a Miners Cut Diamond?

Mainly it has the following five features:

Table - The top of the diamond and the largest facet .

Crown - The upper section of the diamond between the girdle and the table.

Girdle - The area between the crown and pavilion, which is generally thicker in antique diamond cuts than in modern cuts.

Pavilion - The bottom section of the diamond and the deepest part of the diamond in antique cuts.

Culet aka cutlet - The small facet at the bottom end of the diamond The miner cut diamond is shaped into a high crown with a small table, a round to somewhat rectangular girdle, a deep pavilion and a large faceted culet.

The cut was the earliest form of the brilliant cut, which means that the diamond was cut to allow the stone to sparkle under even the dimmest candle light of the era.
The diamond cut is also can be named the followings:

Old mine cut (original name)
Old miner cut
Triple brilliant cut
Peruzzi cut

The miner cut resembles both the modern cushion cut. In fact, some jewelry experts consider the cushion cut the modern version of the miner cut. However, the miner cut diamonds are slightly more rounded and do not have such an obvious rectangular or cushion shape.

History of the Miner Cut Diamond

The proper name of the miner cut is old mine cut. The original old mine cut diamonds of the 19th century were referred to by this name because the jewels came from the old diamond mines in India rather than South Africa, which dominates the diamond industry today.

In the 19th century, artisans shaped each miners cut diamond by hand. All diamonds remained hand-cut until the early 1900's. Due to the handcraftsmanship, each diamond was unique and no two cuts were identical, unlike today's diamonds which undergo machine-assisted cutting processes.

Anyone seeking an original handcrafted old mine cut antique ring should inquire if the stone has been recut. Some restored antique rings have been recut with modern cutting techniques.

Miner cut diamonds, like all antique diamonds, differ from modern diamonds in appearance because of the hand-cutting process and the cut emphasis. Craftsman cut antique diamonds to maximize the stone's carat weight. Modern diamonds are cut to maximize the gem's fire.

Difference Between the Old European and Miner Cuts

The old European cut was also popular in the 19th century and resembles the old mine cut. The two cuts share a similar shape in terms of high crowns, small tables, deep pavilions and large culets. However, the old European cut diamond has a heavier crown, smaller table than the miner cut. The modern brilliant cut is based on the old European cut. An old European cut diamond has a circular girdle like modern round brilliant cut diamonds.

Celebrities with Antique Style Diamond Rings

Antique style diamond engagements rings are a classic choice but are also popular among many celebrity brides. The following brides have chosen either miner cut or old European cut engagement rings:

Ashley Simpson - Miner cut diamond ring

Katie Holmes - Old European cut diamond

Anna Paquin - Old European cut diamond ring