Old Mine Cut vs Antique Cushion Cut
Written by – émerah Team
Ever since Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce announced their engagement, people have been speculating about the ring’s specifications on the internet. Several news outlets claim the diamond is an old mine cut, while others assert it’s an antique elongated cushion cut.
The truth is, these two cuts can seem deceptively similar, even to the trained eye. Let’s unpack the similarities, differences, and why it matters.
The Origins
The original antique cut diamonds were created under low light conditions and are cut and polished entirely by hand. Think 18th-century candlelight, instead of modern foodlit showrooms, they give off a romantic glow compared to the crushed ice sparkle that modern cuts tend to have.
An old mine cut is a type of antique cut; the facets are wider and chunkier than a modern brilliant cut cushion, and it features a visible open culet in the centre of the stone. In other words, you’ll spot a tiny flat facet at the bottom, where modern cuts usually have a point. They give a cleaner look compared to modern cuts because of this small detail.
Shape and Structure
The main difference between an old mine cut and an antique cushion cut would be its shape, the size of its facets and culet, and its light performance. The shape of an old mine cut is square in nature with soft edges and represents one of the stages in achieving the perfect round cut. It’s basically the step between rough older table cut diamonds and today’s perfectly precise cuts.
The antique cushion is a more refined version of the old mine; it may bear a striking resemblance to its predecessor, but it has slightly more rectangular characteristics, a less pronounced culet, and proportions optimised for more brilliance.
If you want an analogy: the old mine cut is the quirky older sibling, and the antique cushion cut is the cool, polished younger sister.
The Sparkle
As we mentioned, old mine cuts have chunkier facets, which result in bolder flashes of light. Antique cuts, with their more optimised proportions, will have extra brilliance and more of a modern sparkle. Neither is necessarily better than the other; it’s entirely a matter of personal preference.
Authentic antique cut and old mine cuts have always been increasingly rare, since they’re literally centuries old. Sadly, many were recut over time into modern brilliants. The demand for this vintage-style diamond would definitely surge after the couple’s engagement announcement.
Although antique cut diamonds are extremely rare these days, we can help you source and design a ring that exudes a similar vintage aesthetic with our bespoke services.
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