The Old Miner cut is a precursor of the cushion cuts. it was designed in an era when candlelight was the main
source of lighting under which diamodns were viewed. With candlelight, and later gaslight, being the
primary light source used to bring out the diamond's scintillation and fire, the Old miner cut
fell out of favor by the end of the 19th century. It was at this time, the end of the 19th
century and beginning of the 20th, that the more revealing electric lighting became
the standard source of gem illumination.

Bright electric lighting was not the only thing that caused the Old Miner cut to fall from popular favor. Newly developed
cutting technologies, such as the perfection of the diamond saw, opened the door for more precise cutting and
shaping of diamonds at the turn of the 20th century. The Old Miner cut was a hand faceted shape of diamond,
cut in accord with the shape of the original rough diamond. This very method of cutting the Old Miner
cut by following the diamond rough's shape made it common for them to have a certain amount of
asymmetry. In addition to this, the Old Miner cut was cut primarily for carat weight,
rather than for light dispersion.

The name "Old Miner" or "Old Mine" cut refers to the origin of the diamonds that received this type of shape. Many of
the rough diamonds that were cut and polished into the shape now known as the Old Miner cut came from the
older diamond mines of India and later Brazil, prior to the opening of newer mines in South Africa.
Also known as the "triple cut brilliant" and "Peruzzi Cut," the Old Miner cut demonstrates the
charm, personality and delight of a time long gone. While they have smaller tables and
larger culets than are used today, it is precisely these touches of their old world
appearl that makes them highly desirable cuts of diamond, and beautifully
fashioned reminders of a bygone era.



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