| recent years due to the surging popularity of antique | | | | engagement a touch of class by getting antique |
| engagement and wedding rings, where they are | | | | engagement rings. This is becoming more popular |
| most prominently found. But if you go shopping for | | | | now, as people are becoming more interested in |
| old cut European diamonds you first need to know | | | | some of the "old time values" again. People who buy |
| what you're going to be looking at. | | | | antique engagement rings typically buy those from |
| The old European cut was developed long before | | | | the Victorian Age or from the first half of the 20th |
| today's technology made it possible to cut diamonds | | | | century, which began with the Edwardian Period. |
| with the "perfect" precision and geometrically perfect | | | | Engagement rings are the modern version of the |
| diamond cuts that people are familiar with today and | | | | "betrothal" ring. It was in the 19th century, which |
| see advertised in all of the commercials. These | | | | included the Romantic and Victorian periods, that |
| diamond cuts evolved from the the old mine cut and | | | | individualized engagement rings became the rage, |
| were developed to be refinements of the cushion | | | | although in the 20th century it became fashionable to |
| cuts. You can recognize them by their very small | | | | have matching engagement rings. |
| tables and bulky, heavy crowns. They have deep | | | | The diamond rose to become the gemstone of most |
| bodies and typically larger, more open basal or point | | | | popular choice during the late 1800s. So when you |
| culets. These diamonds are still generally round or | | | | shop for antique engagement rings, you'll find |
| oval. The old European cut saw its greatest | | | | Victorian and Edwardian rings that feature old mine |
| prominence in the late 19th and early 20th century, | | | | cut diamonds, where the diamonds have an additional |
| after which its prominence fell due to the continued | | | | facet on the bottom. When you shop for antique |
| advancement of gem-cutting technology. But for | | | | rings, take a 10X jeweler's loupe with you and use it |
| their day, these diamonds' cuts were the best for | | | | or have the proprietor use it to see if that extra |
| creating the "sparkle and fire" that diamond ring | | | | bottom facet is there, to ensure authenticity. |
| wearers wanted and they had been developed in | | | | Diamond rings from the 1920s onward will feature |
| accord with that day's technology to achieve just | | | | the European Cut, which removed the bottom facet |
| that effect. | | | | of the mined diamonds. This was the cut that |
| Of course, old European cut diamonds were first | | | | eventually evolved into today's very brilliant cuts. |
| developed in--Europe. The Europeans dominated | | | | Older cut diamonds aren't worth as much as today's |
| ownership of diamond mines during this time and | | | | cut diamonds, but that just means that an antique |
| they had the oldest tradition of gem-cutting science | | | | diamond ring has a unique charm as well as giving you |
| in the world. So, what should you be looking for if | | | | more stone for your bucks. Old cuts that are larger |
| the antique appeal of these diamonds appeals to you | | | | (2 ct. or bigger) are prized by jewelers, as they offer |
| in particular? | | | | the possibility of being recut; this makes them more |
| *Rounded appearance--these diamonds can be found | | | | valuable. Also, antique rings had some amazingly |
| in 2 ct. or even larger sizes, even set in rings of the | | | | detailed workmanship that is hard to find in modern |
| period. These are the most valuable, as jewelers see | | | | rings. |
| in them the possibility of re-cutting them today. | | | | Yellow and pink gold were main metals of choice in |
| *58-facet cuts. This was cutting-edge technology | | | | rings during the Victorian age. Diamond rings were, |
| (pun intended) in those days. | | | | additionally, often topped with silver. But once the |
| *Hand-faceting. Research this to get a feel for how | | | | prototype modern blowtorch was invented early in |
| to recognize it. | | | | the 20th century, the most popular ring metal |
| *Small tables. | | | | became platinum. However, during the World Wars, |
| *High crowns. | | | | white gold and platinum were needed for the wars, |
| *Open bottom culets. | | | | so rings weren't made much with those metals during |
| *Deep pavilions. | | | | those periods, since even if they were they weren't |
| *Settings in Victorian, Edwardian, or Art Deco antique | | | | going to sell very well. But in between the Wars, Art |
| rings. | | | | Deco rings were prominently made from those |
| European cut diamonds can be hard to find today. | | | | metals. |
| Many have already been re-cut to modern standards, | | | | If you go looking for antique engagement rings: |
| and they are only going to be found among antique | | | | * Make sure the prongs are not bent and the gems |
| jewelry anyway. You'll need to seek out antique or | | | | are well-secured. |
| vintage jewelry specialists to get a good selection. | | | | * Look for breaks in the filigree and avoid those rings. |
| They may be easier for you to find online. Look at | | | | * Get the "certs" and the seller's appraisal on the ring |
| the websites of Elisha Morgan Gemologists, Fay | | | | you buy; if there are no "certs" don't buy it. |
| Cullen, or The Jewelry Expert for some really good | | | | * Understand the "4 Cs" of diamonds before you go |
| choices. Be prepared to pay upwards of $2000 for | | | | shopping. |
| one of these diamonds. | | | | * Only buy from reputable jewelers, preferably |
| If you are an informed buyer, you can lend your | | | | specialists in antique jewelry. |