One of the most common questions that comes up from vintage engagement ring buyers is: what’s the difference between an Old European Cut Diamond and a Round Brilliant Cut. Round and oval cultured diamonds are both considered brilliant cuts; meaning they are cut with numerous facets to maximize light return in your diamond and provide an unmatched brilliance and sparkle as a center stone option for your engagement ring. With the most productive African diamond mines yet to be discovered, contemporary cutters had a much lower quantity of rough diamonds to work with than we do in today’s market, often of a lesser clarity or color than we are used to today as well. While old European cuts draw light and the eye, the modern brilliant cut was designed to maximize light return (brilliance) and dispersion (fire). You need a specialist who has access, because nearly all diamond cutters are not trained to cut the Old European diamond anymore…. The modern round brilliant diamond and the old European cut both have either 57 or 58 facets, but the shape and placement of those facets gives each cut its distinctive personality. Buyers of vintage engagement rings are a unique group. The modern round brilliant consists of 58 facets (or 57 if the culet is excluded), ordinarily today cut in two pyramids placed base to base: 33 on the crown (the top half above the middle or girdle of the stone), truncated comparatively near its base by the table, and 25 on the pavilion (the lower half below the girdle), which has only the apex cut off to form the culet, around which 8 extra facets are sometimes added. Or consider a, to provide, unquestionably, maximum glamour. Old European Cut diamonds date back to the early 1900’s and were (are) the center stone for many Art Deco, Edwardian and even some Victorian era rings. The History of the European Cut . Copyright @2020, Break Free Publishing LLC. This meant that tables were much smaller, facets were less precisely placed (and shaped) and the end result was that the diamond cutter could not craft a diamond that has today’s bling. While round diamonds today are cut for brilliance, the old European cut was cut for color, using its unique faceting structure to bring out the best in each individual stone. People buy a European Cut because they want to study it intently and deeply, not marvel at the light show. The rarity value of the Old European Cut diamond comes from the fact that cutters stopped making them that way almost 100 years ago, AND, those that were outstanding were often converted to round brilliant cut stones. As a consequence, the design optimizes color, and clarity not brilliance. Most are deeply romantic, and see the ring as an offering of timeless love. The old European cut was a stalwart favorite of the Victorian, Edwardian, and Art Deco eras that came shortly after its introduction in the late 1800’s. The name “unmodified round brilliant” was applied to a symmetrical round cut with a regular array of 58 facets, cut to modern standards. Round Brilliant has to start with the diamond cutting technology available at the time. Today vintage and antique rings alike sport these diamonds. The tighter mosaic of light and dark achieves the greater degree of brilliance, but also results in splintered pattern of light. They believe that life, simplified, is the best life of all. The round brilliant cut diamond has 58 facets. Many consumers value the old European cut’s different interplay with light designed for candlelight and gas lighting as opposed to our modern, harsher light. Whether you select an antique, old European cut or the flashier modern brilliant cut diamond, you are guaranteed to have a diamond of spectacular beauty and brilliance. The challenge is that even though these rings are so very special, most of today’s buyers are far more interested in modern designs and cuts. One of the most common questions for those on the market for a diamond is what is the difference between a normal round cut diamond (also known as the old European cut) and a round brilliant cut diamond? In fact, many salespeople in the diamond trade don’t even know that other round cuts exist. The differences between the two cuts are subtle since they both have a round shape. The diamond is prized for its brightness and brilliance, making it one of the more sparkly diamond cuts on the market. Hearts and arrows round brilliant cut diamonds, also feature 58 facets. Cut entirely by hand, they lacked the facet and shape precision of a round brilliant diamond. However, if you want to go the opposite direction and select a setting that allows the brilliance of your stone to stand on its own, go for a solitaire setting — a classic four or six prong setting elevates the stone, allowing its shine to stand above the crowd on your finger. It does come down to preference. However, if you want to go the opposite direction and select a setting that allows the brilliance of your stone to stand on its own, go for a. This 1.0 Carat stone is a stunning example of a Round Brilliant Cut. Brilliance, LLC, © 2020 Terms & Conditions, One of the most common questions for those on the market for a diamond is what is the difference between a normal round cut diamond (also known as the old European cut) and a round brilliant cut diamond?