Harry Merrill & Son, Inc.

Old Mine, Old Miner or Mine Cut. It is known by several different names, but what is so special about it?  Let's take a closer look at this unique diamond cut. 

Where did it get its name?  The name Old Mine comes from the fact that many of these diamonds came from the old diamond mines throughout India.  Old Mine diamonds were the precursor to today's modern brilliant or brilliant round cuts.  The diamonds were cut mostly by hand before the advent of the modern saws and tools used today. Many of the old mine cut diamonds were shaped or "blocked" by hand, so they are not always truly round in shape and often have an elegant cushion shape.

The diamonds were cut to maximize the brilliance and sparkle of the diamond at a time when indoor lighting was much lower in wattage and sophistication.  Today, the Old Mine cut is brilliant in minimal light with the advanced lighting available today and you have a diamond that exhibits tremendous brilliance and fire.  These diamonds have more of a kaleidoscope effect, as opposed to the balanced and symmetrical brilliance of the modern cut.  The Old Mine cut was the first to have the 58 facets that are present in the modern cut round diamonds, and is characterized by a smaller table and steeper crown.  The most noticeable characteristic is the open culet, or flat bottom, that gives the appearance of an opening in the middle of the diamond when viewed through the table. 

A side view of an Old Mine cut shows the steep crown and blunted culet.

A top view shows the cushion shape that is more common, as opposed to the perfectly round shape found in a modern or brilliant round cut.                                

 

When you consider that the Old Mine diamonds have not been cut since the early 20th century, it is really cool to own a piece of history that is only available from estate collections and specialized jewelers.