What Is an Old Mine Cut?

Historic Old Mine diamonds were cut individually by hand, often resulting in cushion-like outlines, higher crowns, deeper pavilions and visible culets.

Their charm lies partly in this individuality. Unlike the highly standardised modern brilliant, antique examples can appear slightly irregular and deeply personal.

Why Old Mine Diamonds Sparkle Differently

Larger facets create broader, chunkier flashes. Rather than continuous fine scintillation, the stone may alternate between pronounced bright and dark areas as it moves.

What Is the Culet?

The culet is the facet or point at the bottom of the pavilion. Antique diamonds frequently have visibly open culets, which can appear as a small geometric feature when viewed face-up.

Modern Old Mine-inspired diamonds may reproduce this characteristic intentionally.

Old Mine Versus Modern Cushion

Modern cushion brilliant diamonds usually aim for greater uniformity and contemporary brilliance.

Old Mine-inspired cushions prioritise antique proportions, large facets and character.

Old Mine Versus Portuguese Cut

Old Mine faceting is generally larger and more open. Portuguese faceting is significantly more intricate.

One creates bold vintage flashes; the other creates dense multidimensional scintillation.

Modern Lab-Grown Old Mine Diamonds

Modern cutters can recreate antique-inspired facet patterns in newly grown diamond material, allowing couples to achieve the visual character of an old cut without requiring an antique stone.