Antique cut diamonds are having a full-scale revival — and pop culture is a big reason why. After Taylor Swift’s engagement put an antique diamond squarely in the spotlight, demand for antique and antique-inspired cuts surged almost overnight, turning what was once a connoisseur’s choice into a modern obsession. These diamonds are fundamentally different from modern brilliant cuts: they were developed long before electric lighting, laser symmetry, or stones engineered for maximum white sparkle. Instead, antique cuts were designed to perform under candlelight, producing slower, broader flashes of light with depth, warmth, and movement. Today, true antique diamonds are increasingly rare, but advances in modern cutting now allow these historic faceting styles to be recreated in both natural and lab-grown diamonds — making sizes, colors, and elongated shapes newly accessible to a generation drawn to jewelry with character, history, and cultural relevance.

What Defines an Antique Cut Diamond?

Antique cuts are identified by their structure, not just their age. Hallmarks include:

• Larger, hand-cut facets

• High crowns and deep profiles

• Small tables

• Open or visible culets

• Softer symmetry and individuality from stone to stone

These proportions create broad flashes of light rather than the sharp, mirrored sparkle of modern brilliants. In low, warm light — especially candlelight — antique cuts glow and flicker instead of scintillating.

Some classic antique cuts include:

• Old Mine Cut — Known for its chunky, squarish shape and high crown.

• Old European Cut — A rounder shape with a smaller table and larger facets than modern round brilliants.

• Rose Cut — Flat bottom with triangular facets that meet in a point on top.

• Single Cut — A simple cut with fewer facets, often used in early diamond jewelry.

These diamonds often have a warm, romantic glow and unique light performance that modern cuts don’t always replicate.

True Antique vs. Modern Antique Style

Understanding the difference between genuine antique cuts and modern interpretations is key for collectors and lovers of jewelry alike.

True Antique Diamonds

These are vintage stones cut using historic techniques, often over 100 years old. Their irregular facets and unique proportions give them a softer, more subtle sparkle — sometimes called a “gentle brilliance.” They may show signs of age, including slight wear on facets or a warmer body color, which many collectors cherish.

Modern Antique-Style Diamonds

Today’s craftsmen and cutters have revived these classic shapes using modern tools. These modern versions are:

• Inspired by historical cuts

• More precise in symmetry than their true antique counterparts

• Available in a range of colors, sizes, and clarity grades

Modern antique-style cuts capture the spirit of the originals while offering the reliability and performance today’s buyers expect.

Lab-Grown and Natural Antique Cuts: What’s Possible Now

Technology has opened up exciting possibilities in the world of antique cut diamonds.

Natural Antique Cut Diamonds
These are traditional diamonds mined from the earth and then cut into antique or antique-style shapes. They carry the classic allure and natural origin that many purists value.

Lab-Grown Antique Cut Diamonds
Lab-grown diamonds now come in antique-inspired cuts too. These stones are physically and chemically identical to natural diamonds but created in controlled environments. They offer:

• Greater affordability

• More consistent availability in various colors and sizes
  

Whether you prefer natural or lab-grown, antique-inspired cuts are available from both origins.