Diamond Cut

January 21st, 2007 admin Leave a comment Go to comments

Diamond Cut

Individuals who may not be diamond connoisseurs may be surprised to discover that diamonds come in a variety of styles. Some are styles of the past which may be harder to obtain as readily than their more modern diamond cut counterparts. One style of diamond cut which was prevalent back in the mid to late 1800's but is still able to be obtained from specialty jewelers now and again is the Old European Cut diamond. Old European Cut diamonds have a flair all their own and the following will highlight their characteristics as well as the attributes which make them a number one choice for many individuals searching for a diamond engagement ring.

Old European Cut Diamond Characteristics

There are a variety of characteristics which enable individuals somewhat versed in gemology to identify an Old European Cut diamond. The main characteristic of this type of gemstone is the 58-facet cut. Other identifiable characteristics include a round shape, small table, high crown, open culet on the bottom and deep pavilion. In addition, the Old European cut of diamond is the result of hand faceting production which gives it a look all its own. Those who view this cut of diamond will experience a brilliance to the stone which is a direct result of how it is cut.

Favorable Attributes of This Diamond Variety

Old European Cut diamonds may not appeal to all diamond shoppers but there is bound to be a select group of individuals for whom this type of diamond is the perfect choice. The uniqueness factor surrounding an Old European Cut diamond is an often-cited reason for why individuals choose this type of stone. Antique jewelry items are coveted by certain individuals who wish to have a gem which is not seen on the hand of every other woman on the block. The antique look of the ring gives it a unique flavor which appeals to many.

This diamond style is also a good item for those who wish to wear it on a jewelry piece other than a ring. Although it may be hard to find an antique setting to fit the stone, there are ways to choose a setting for a necklace or brooch which replicates an antique setting. Not everyone will be choosing a diamond for an engagement ring and this cut of diamond can be set in a multitude of jewelry pieces which will produce favorable comments from the crowd.

An additional favorable attribute of the Old European Cut diamond is that its specific cut is done in such a way so as to present one with more diamond for the money. Since this is a diamond cut of the past and may be less precise than more modern cuts, such as the princess cut, the end result is a diamond which has more quantity to it than some of its gemstone counterparts. Therefore when you buy this type of diamond you are acquiring a diamond which is more voluminous in nature. For those who would like a larger stone, this favorable attribute is one to consider.

To learn more about the many facets of a diamond engagement ring visit James Greene at http://www.diamondmarketwatch.com where you'll find this and much more about diamond rings and other fine jewelry.

How did one cut the first diamond??

If diamond is the hardest substance on earth and only a diamond can cut a diamond, how was the first ever cut diamond cut???

The Origin of Diamond Cutting.
No one knows exactly when, where and who made the first attempt to cut diamonds. It is assumed that the first diamond cutting styles originated from India. However, it was only limited to chipping or grinding. Moreover in ancient times diamonds were valued more for their magical and mythological properties. By modifying the natural state of a diamond in any way would alter it's magical properties and render it useless. At the most the cleaving techniques of diamond were attempted to get flat faces on diamonds. It is believed that the early diamond cutting styles originated in Europe. The European travelers visiting India for it's diamond treasures used to transport diamonds from the Golconda Mine to Europe for cutting. It ultimately used to be transported back to India and made a part of the Kings, Moghuls and Maharaja's treasury.

The Evolution of Diamond Cutting.
Experimentation with diamond cutting did not yield any significant results till the seventeenth century. The early diamond cutters were unable to polish the rough octahedral diamonds. However, they found out that they could polish or grind diamonds into a point by polishing almost parallel to the diamonds rough faces, at an angle lesser than the diamond rough faces. They also realised that only diamonds cut diamonds. Hence they used a wooden table covered with diamond dust to achieve any kind of polishing. This resulted in the "Rose Cut". It was called the rose cut due to it's resemblance to the "Rose Bud". The rose cut came into existence in the early sixteenth century and was widely used till the early nineteenth century.

The Round Brilliant Cut.
There have been a few intermediaries who have contributed to the present cutting style of the round brilliant cut. The most noteworthy and the direct ancestor (the grandfather) is the "Old Mine Cut" or the "Old Miner". It is also known as the "Triple Cut". It came into existence in the late seventeenth century. The old miner was the first diamond cut that had all the facets of the present round brilliant cut viz. the bezel, the star, pavilion mains, etc. However, the facet alignment and sizes were in a different manner as compared to the current round brilliant. The old miner was also more of a square or cushion cut, rather than being round. The direct descendant to the old miner is the "Old European Cut". I consider the old European cut to be the father of the present round brilliant cut. The old European cut was more evident in the late eighteenth century till the early twentieth century. Many experiments were done on the old European cut during the early twentieth century regarding it's various facet positioning and angles. Most notable were the one done by Henry Morse and Marcel Tolkowsky. More has been mentioned about them in the Ideal Diamond Cut section. They ultimately gave birth to the present round brilliant cut and the ideal cut diamond proportions.