The Journal · Topic

Antique Diamonds & Diamond Cuts

Old mine, old European, rose and transitional cuts — how antique diamonds are cut, graded, priced and worn, from a dealer who handles them every week.

Old European and old mine cut diamonds beside a modern brilliant, showing antique cut differences.
August 2026

Old European vs. Old Mine Cut Diamonds: How Antique Cuts Compare to the Modern Brilliant

Old European, old mine, and modern brilliant cuts are three different ways of seeing light. Here's how to tell them apart —...

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Antique gemstone jewelry featuring sapphire, emerald, ruby, opal, and old-cut diamond rings illustrating how to evaluate fine jewelry quality, color, cut, clarity, treatments, and natural gemstones.
July 2026

How to Tell If a Gemstone Is Fine: A Collector's Field Guide

"Fine" is about the quality of the material, not the age of the piece. What separates a fine gemstone from a merely...

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