Old Mine Cut

An Old Mine cut is an antique cushion-shaped diamond cut popular from the 1700s to late 1800s, characterized by a high crown, small table, large culet, and squared corners with rounded sides.

These early diamonds were cut by hand and named after the old diamond mines of Brazil and India. The term 'cushion' better describes their pillow-like shape. Old Mine cuts have a distinctive chunky, geometric appearance and produce more fire than modern brilliants due to their large, deep facets.

Like Old European cuts, these antique diamonds are prized for use in vintage-style jewelry. They're evaluated differently than modern cuts, with emphasis on their character and historical authenticity rather than modern grading standards.