About

Sapphires have few rivals in the world of gemstones. They belong to the corundum group of minerals, classified as a 9 on the Mohs scale: only diamonds are harder than sapphires. While this gem is largely cherished for its beauty today, it was often used in the making of axes and other sharp tools in China as early as 4000 BCE. Perhaps this durability has lead many to attribute sapphires with such qualities as truth, faithfulness, and permanence.

Old Mine Cut Diamonds were fashionable between 1800 and 1905, an era epitomized by Alice in Wonderland, women's suffrage, and Charles Darwin. Old Mind Cut diamonds represent one of the first attempts to maximize sparkle in shaped diamonds. Diamond cutters of the 19th century had no electricity like they do today – this diamond was likely cut using a hand-powered cutting machine. The diamond industry had just begun the path to standardization, introducing a demand for symmetrical stones – something that was difficult to achieve through hand cutting. It was discovered that a square cushion shape, the end result of the Old Mine Cut, maximized symmetry and sparkle while minimizing loss of weight during cutting. Old Mine Cut Diamonds have a small table, high crown, deep pavilion, and open culet.

Details

• vintage necklace circa 1915
• one .25ct square shape sapphire
• eight Old Mine Cut diamonds, .10 total carat weight
• 1/2" octagonal pendant
• 16" chain
• platinum
• TLC for your vintage jewelry