Antique Fine Diamond Jewelry for Sale
What makes Antique Fine Diamond Jewelry so unique from today’s modern fine diamond jewelry pieces? The reasons are endless but let’s explore the more obvious differences.
Fine diamond jewelry, whether it is Antique Jewelry, Vintage Jewelry, Estate Jewelry or modern contemporary jewelry pieces do have some common attributes that help define them such as;
- The quality of the diamond
- The cut of the diamond
- The type of metals used to create the fine diamond jewelry; gold, silver, platinum, etc.
- The inherent design of the fine diamond jewelry
- Who designed the jewelry (See Signed Fine Diamond Jewelry)
Beyond these attributes there is a world of difference between antique fine diamond jewelry and the modern fine diamond jewelry of today.
What Makes Antique Fine Diamonds So Unique
When we speak of the cut of a diamond, we are referring to how proportionate and symmetrical the diamond has been cut. The polish of the diamond also determines the stone’s “brilliance” so it also plays a part.
When antique fine diamond jewelry pieces were created over 100 years ago, especially before 1900, the diamond cutters had to be amazing skilled craftsman.
Antique diamond cutters cut their diamonds by hand, working with only primitive diamond cutting tools and equipment. Antique fine diamond jewelers did not have access to the laser diamond cutting technology of today.
Old Cut Diamonds
Old cut diamonds found in antique fine diamond jewelry were not cut based on precise mathematics and more emphasis was given to maximizing the carat weight. Therefore antique cut diamonds tend to have more crown height, smaller tables, thicker girdles and greater pavilion depths.
That said, many antique fine diamond jewelry collectors prefer the warmth that can be found in antique cut diamonds such as the:
- Old Rose Cut (facets resemble rose petals)
- European Cut (circular girdle similar to today’s modern brilliant cut diamonds)
- Old Mine Cut (also referred to as “cushion cut” because of the cushion shaped girdle)
Old antique cut diamonds are becoming increasingly rare since many are re-cut into modern brilliant cut diamonds to increase the diamond’s “fire”, as well as its market value. Because of this, there is an increasing demand for antique fine diamond jewelry with authentic old cut diamonds.
Modern Cut Diamonds
Today’s modern diamond cutting methods are based on precise mathematics in order to maximize the inherent fire and brilliance of each diamond to be used in modern fine diamond jewelry.
Modern brilliant cut (round) diamonds are the most popular on the market. All other diamond cuts fall under the “fancy cut” category.
Because of modern laser technology and computer aided design one can find a wide selection of diamond cuts in today’s modern fine diamond jewelry, some of which include;
| Round Brilliant Cut |
Princess Cut |
Marquise Cut |
|
Heart Cut |
Trillian Cut |
Oval Cut |
|
Pear Shaped Cut |
Emerald Cut |
Baguette Cut |
|
Flanders Cut |
Barion Cut |
|
Newer contemporary rose cut diamonds include the Antwerp rose cut diamond and the Double Dutch rose cut diamond.
Ask Us About Antique Fine Diamond Jewelry for Sale
Dover Jewelry and Antiques has been providing Antique Fine Diamond Jewelry to clients around the world for nearly three decades. We also buy estate, vintage and antique jewelry pieces.
For more information about any of our antique fine diamond jewelry for sale, please call us toll free at 877-777-6111 or contact us through our Antique Jewelry Information form.
