How Old Mine Cut Diamonds Were Cut and Polished in the Early 1900s

Old mine cut diamonds are not simply antique stones — they are the result of human hands, instinct, and patience.

Long before modern precision tools and laser technology, diamonds were shaped using nothing but experience, mechanical wheels, candlelight, and an intimate understanding of how light behaves within stone.

To understand the beauty of an old mine cut diamond, you must first understand how it was created.

The Era Before Technology

In the late 1800s and early 1900s, diamond cutting was a craft learned through apprenticeship. There were no computer models, no symmetry scanners, and no exact angle calculators.

A cutter studied the rough diamond carefully — turning it in hand, examining inclusions, natural growth lines, and potential cleaving points.

Every decision was made to preserve weight while maximising brilliance — but brilliance meant something very different then.

The goal was not icy perfection.

The goal was life.

From Rough Crystal to Faceted Stone

The process typically followed several stages:

1. Cleaving the Rough

Using a steel blade placed along the natural grain of the crystal, the cutter would strike the diamond with a precise blow. One mistake meant permanent loss.

This was judgement, not mathematics.

2. Bruting – Forming the Shape

The diamond was then shaped into a cushion-like outline by grinding it against another diamond. This created the rounded square form typical of old mine cut diamonds.

No two were identical.

That individuality is part of their charm.

3. Faceting by Hand

Facets were added using a rotating polishing wheel known as a “scaife,” charged with diamond dust and oil.

Each facet was cut manually, guided by eye.

Old mine cuts feature:

• Larger, chunkier facets

• A high crown

• A small table

• A deeper pavilion

• A visible culet

These proportions were designed to perform under candlelight — not fluorescent lighting.

Under warm light, they glow.

Why Old Mine Cut Diamonds Look Different

Modern brilliant cuts aim for perfect light return and symmetry.

Old mine cut diamonds prioritised depth, fire, and personality.

Because they were cut by hand:

• Symmetry varies slightly

• Facets are broader

• Sparkle is softer and more romantic

They were created in a world lit by flame, not electricity.

And that difference is visible.

A Labour of Skill and Light

Cutting a diamond in the early 1900s was not fast.

It required:

• Physical endurance

• Deep technical understanding

• Patience

• Experience

Each stone carried the signature of the cutter.

These diamonds were not engineered.

They were interpreted.

Why Collectors Value Old Mine Cut Diamonds Today

Collectors, historians, and antique jewellery enthusiasts value old mine cut diamonds because they represent:

• Authentic period craftsmanship

• A pre-industrial approach to luxury

• Individuality over uniform perfection

• A connection to history

They are stones shaped by hand, not machine.

And that distinction matters.

Old Mine Cut Diamonds in Modern Jewellery

Today, antique and vintage-style jewellery featuring old mine cut diamonds continues to captivate those who appreciate heritage and craftsmanship.

Whether set in Victorian-era mountings or reimagined in contemporary designs, these diamonds bring warmth and story to any piece.

Explore our collection of old mine cut diamond jewellery to see how historic artistry continues to shine today.

(Internal link here to your Old Mine Cut collection)

Final Thoughts

Old mine cut diamonds are works of art.

They were not designed for laboratory perfection — they were shaped for life, light, and legacy.

When you wear one, you are not just wearing a diamond.

You are wearing a chapter of craftsmanship from another time.