Reclaimed, Vintage, and Antique Diamonds
Sophie Hughes specializes in reclaimed vintage and antique diamonds. We’re here to tell you exactly what that means.
What are Reclaimed Diamonds?
Our absolute favorites. Reclaimed diamonds are post-consumer diamonds sourced from estate jewelry. They could be antique (100+ years old), vintage (20+ years old), or even fairly contemporary.
Reclaimed diamonds are the most sustainable diamond option available - there’s zero contribution to new mining operations or energy consumption required (as with lab growns). Moreover, the antiques have our hearts as each one is truly one-of-one and chock full of character, since they were hand-cut by masters centuries ago.
How about the quality?
All of our reclaimed diamonds are inspected to ensure suitable condition for resetting, reviewed by a grading lab like GIA for independent assessment, and then ready to be reused in a new piece - just like new!
The quality of reclaimed diamonds are no different from newly mined stones! Diamonds are quite durable, and are actually the hardest stone—10 out of 10 on the Mohs Scale. They hold up incredibly well over time, and are suitable for everyday wear over a lifetime (hence being the most common engagement ring stone!). Diamonds rarely show signs of wear, but unmounted stones can be re-cut and re-polished to bring them back to new when needed.
What are Vintage & Antique Diamonds?
Under the umbrella of reclaimed diamonds live the categories of vintage and antiques. Vintage diamonds are 20+ years old, in contemporary cuts (Round Brilliant, Oval, Emerald Cut, Cushion, etc.). We can usually guess the age by the style of the estate piece they were set in.
Antique diamonds were hand cut by masters over 100 years ago. With antique diamonds, the main distinguishing feature is the cut style - wider facets, a flat culet, and a little wabi-sabi (perfect imperfection). There are two particular antique cuts that Sophie specializes in working with: the Old European Cut, and its predecessor the Old Mine Cut.
Old Mine Cut
Antique, hand-cut, and full of history - Old Mine Cut diamonds are truly one-of-one. Old Mine Cuts were popular in the 1700-1800’s, and the style is one of the oldest recognizable styles of diamond cutting.
They’re most easily identified by their gentle squared “cushion” shape and flat culet at the center of the stone. (In modern cuts the culet, the bottom tip at the center of the stone, actually converges at a point.) In both Old Mine and Old European Cuts the culet does not come to an exact point, resulting in it being visible from the top of the stone - appearing as a little circle you see when looking into the stone.
Old Mine Cut diamonds were cut centuries ago by masterful diamond cutters working by hand, and intended to be admired in low candlelight. Each stone is incredibly unique because they were meticulously hand-cut to the diamond cutter’s eye, without the use of today’s microscopes and lasers. As genuine antiques, Old Mine Cut diamonds are becoming increasingly rare.
Old European Cut
The Old European Cut style was developed following the Old Mine Cut, moving away from the cushion shape to a true round shape. Old Euros are the predecessor of today's Modern Round Brilliant Cut. They were cut in the very late 1800’s and very early 1900’s, when diamonds were still being hand-cut by masters.
Much like Old Mines, Old European Cut diamonds were also meant to be worn in candlelight, so their chunkier facets reflect low light in a romantic way. Like Old Mine Cuts, Old Euros are becoming increasingly rare.
Modern Round Brilliant Cut
Round Brilliant diamonds, which is the contemporary cut of today, have evolved from the earlier Old Mine and Old European Cuts. With advances in technology, diamond cutters have been able to focus on a more technical, precise manner of cutting diamonds. Unlike the hand-cutting of the past, stones are now laser-cut in a very streamlined manner in the hopes of maximizing the light reflection from inside the diamond. The facets are more slender and radiate from the center. These stones can still be found reclaimed and vintage, even though they are contemporary cuts.
Why reclaimed?
Reclaimed diamonds are stunning, incredibly unique, and sustainable - what’s not to love? We specialize in reclaimed and antique diamonds with the intention of creating environmentally and socially responsible jewelry, and truthfully we're enamored with the one-of-one character of the oldies but goodies!
Simply put, reclaimed diamond are the most sustainable option. In using reclaimed diamonds, we’re not contributing to new mining or the immense energy consumption of lab growns - instead using what’s already available above ground. There are plenty of beautiful options already out there just waiting to be repurposed into something new!
Knowing that each stone has lived a prior life (or several lives!) brings a unique sense of history not found with newly mined stones. It’s incredible to think of the journey they've traveled before they become yours!
Have more questions about diamonds?
Contact us at hello@sophiehughes.com and ask away!
