Probably the last of the old diamond cuts, the old European cut appeared in the mid-1800s and is the direct predecessor of today’s round brilliant diamond cut.

Symmetrical in it’s roundness, old European cut diamonds maintain the characteristic of the old cuts with their open culet and higher crown. It is similar to the old mine cut, but is round rather than squarish and has 58 facets.

In contrast, modern brilliant cut diamonds have a closed culet, a smaller crown and larger table, as shown to the right.

For more information, check out the following diamond jewelry firms for their selection of antique diamond jewelry and vintage diamond rings: