Do Diamonds Get Better With Age?

The rising popularity of antique diamond jewellery is further evidence that diamonds truly do last a lifetime. Jewellery, like the best vintages of wine and works of art, only improves with age. The diamonds used in antique jewellery designs have a special allure that is lacking in modern, machine-cut diamonds. 

The precision of today's laser cutting methods is unparalleled. Antique diamonds, on the other hand, have a few flaws. These are truly "one of a kind" because they are hand cut. Elevate your style with a remarkable lab diamond ring from Temple & Grace, the go-to destination for Melbourne rings’ most stunning designs.

Are Older Diamonds More Unique?

Is there hope for the diamond business in the form of modern technology? There are some sceptics among diamond experts. The "magic" of diamond cutting, they say, is in danger of being lost. 

Traditional diamond cutting is a labour- and skill-intensive process that has evolved over time. It's become a never-ending pursuit of excellence in modern times. Older stones may not be as "perfect," but they frequently have unique characteristics. 

A heavier crown, for instance, has the effect of increasing the sparkle. Brilliant and colourful flashes of light emanating from the antique cut facet, which also has the allure of a bygone period.

Diamond Craftsmanship Is Reflected In Different Cuts

Antique diamond jewellery often features a diamond cut that is no longer manufactured. The square "Old Mine" cut and the circular "Old Euro" cut are two examples (It has rounded edges, unlike a princess cut). The "Rose" cut is a compromise between the two extremes. Recent monetary norms have become increasingly uniform. 

Modern diamond-cutting standards ensure that even the roughest diamonds are polished to a higher standard of perfection. Due to the current market's lack of demand for earlier cutters, antique diamonds are essentially "new" again. These are unusual, and it may be difficult to find adequate instances.

What Is The Age Of Diamonds? Are They Forever?

Age Is Important

The age of something is a crucial factor. The age of a person, animal, bottle of wine, automobile, or antique all influences how we perceive and value them. The same holds true for minerals and rocks. In order to piece together the region's geological past, a geologist has to know how old its rocks are. Cross-cutting connections (where younger rock "cuts' through older rock) and superposition are two methods geologists use to estimate relative ages in the field (the younger rock overlies the older rock). Scientists use the rate of decay of naturally occurring radioactive elements to establish the absolute ages of rocks and minerals like diamonds. When determining an absolute age, it is not necessary to consider how old other geological materials might be. The study of these time intervals is called geochronology.

When searching for diamonds in South Africa, the location was more important than the actual age because diamonds were found as alluvial material in riverbeds and beaches. As it was realised that kimberlite was the host for diamonds, absolute diamond ages were crucial to both expanding diamond exploration and providing answers to fundamental issues concerning diamond formation:

• How old are diamonds compared to the kimberlite they come from?
• As the volcano erupted, did the crystals form in the kimberlite, or did they come from nearby rock?
• What ages do kimberlites have? What are the diamonds' ages?
• Can a single mine include diamonds of various ages?
• Do diamond-forming events occur because of particular macroscale geological processes?

One of the discoveries made on this journey is that a diamond, which can be three billion years old or more, is the oldest mineral sample you can purchase and wear as jewellery. This is equivalent to roughly three-quarters of the age of the earth. No man-made diamond could ever match this quality.

Will The Value Of My Diamond Appreciate Over Time?

Diamonds are the ultimate jewellery statement pieces. Diamonds have always been highly prized for their status as dazzling external reminders of one's riches and prestige.

The price of diamonds, however, has changed drastically over time. Diamond values and prices reflect a wide range of market fluctuations, from the prosperous 1980s when DeBeers dominated the market and proclaimed "a diamond is forever" to the demise of the DeBeers monopoly and the Great Recession. Yet, the demand and supply of diamonds ultimately determine their price.

The value of diamonds fluctuates with the market, just like the value of other commodities like gold, silver, and platinum. The price of diamonds naturally decreases when new diamond mines are discovered since the supply increases.

Is a diamond a good investment? How does it hold its value over time? Both, actually. The solution has flaws, just like any other diamond. In general, this is the case. A diamond's worth grows with time. The question of how much or how soon it will appreciate is more nuanced.

Diamonds, like most precious things, see their prices rise along with general inflation. Therefore, the value of a diamond bought in 1970 would skyrocket by 2016. Whether this is due to inflation or the rarity of diamonds is unclear and depends on a number of other variables.

What Makes Diamonds “Investment Grade”

Diamond value is determined by the 4Cs: cut, colour, carat weight, and clarity. An extremely rare diamond is the ultimate investment. Finding a diamond with a high carat weight is one technique to increase the likelihood that it is uncommon in nature. Nonetheless, stones with flawless colour and clarity are exceptionally scarce, regardless of carat weight.

A huge, flawless, perfectly cut, colourless diamond will always be in demand and command a greater price on the market due to its extreme rarity. Inflation and the high demand and limited supply of flawless diamonds both contribute to the quick appreciation of the gem's value. Flawed or otherwise flawed stones are not nearly as rare or valuable, and their worth is unlikely to increase over time. Although they will have value, that value will fluctuate more than it would with a flawless gemstone.

Still, there are a wide variety of high-quality diamonds available for investment purposes, not just colourless ones. The investment quality of natural fancy colours includes the fancy vivid yellow, also known as canary yellow. The value of some colours tends to skyrocket because of their scarcity.

Red diamonds are the rarest of all natural diamond colours, but exotic colours like the radiant blue diamond above or the pink pear diamond at the top of the post are also desirable investments.

Managing Your Investment

There are steps a purchaser can take to help protect a stone's value and perhaps boost it over time. Like managing a stock portfolio, diamond buyers need to take precautions to protect their investment.

Get a diamond verified by the Gemological Institute of America (GIA) if it hasn't already been done so professionally. A certificate issued by the Gemological Institute of America (GIA) is considered unquestionable in the diamond market since it comes from the most accurate and reputable gemological laboratory in the world. It will give the diamond a rating and detail any flaws it has. In order to have the stone appraised, this certificate can be presented to the appraiser. Gains should be evaluated in light of the appraised worth rather than projected market prices.

Diamonds and the jewellery settings they are set in should be maintained spotless at all times, and no bling of any kind should be worn during contact sports. Despite the fact that diamonds are the hardest natural substance, that does not mean they cannot be damaged. A diamond can be damaged if struck in the incorrect spot. Diamonds can scratch one other if they are stored in close proximity to one another.

Even if a flawless diamond is acquired, it is still vulnerable to harm from regular use and poor storage conditions. Because of this flaw, the diamond is now worth less. Even if a diamond is recut after being chipped, the lesser carat weight will reduce its value.

The long and the short of diamond investments is that diamond prices rise and fall with supply and demand. Therefore the rarer the diamond, the better it is as an investment. If you take care of your diamond, its value will only rise.

Antique Diamonds: More Reasons To Purchase

There are numerous other advantages to choosing an antique stone. The "green" argument is one example. Customers can rest assured that their purchase of an antique diamond has no negative ecological impact because they were not mined recently. Antique diamonds are a smart purchase from a purely economic perspective as well. You can buy a larger, more valuable stone for the same price as a smaller one.

Then there's the sentimental approach, which many people take when considering vintage diamonds. Some people think that if you wear a diamond that has been worn by someone else before you, you will gain that person's good fortune. Believed to have absorbed the wearer's personality into its diamond structure. History has value even for those who lack a romantic streak. The thought that a person of noble ancestry or an aristocrat once wore your ring can be fascinating. Antique diamonds are extremely desirable in today's generation because of their rich history and one-of-a-kind provenance.

Whatever your reasoning for buying a vintage diamond, you may take comfort in the fact that anything old can be made new again.

A Brief History Of Old Cut Diamonds

Improvements in diamond-cutting techniques were revolutionary in the late 1800s. Rose-cut diamonds were the outcome of rudimentary cutting processes that eventually gave rise to 'old cut' diamonds. By employing steam-driven and motorised tools, these modern methods allowed cutters to shape diamonds better. During this time, innovations in the number, positioning, and proportion of facets produced diamonds with unprecedented brilliance.

Round in shape, fairly symmetrical, with a small table, high crown, circular girdle, large facets, and, in many cases, a flat and polished culet are all hallmarks of the old cut diamond. They are typically cut more deeply than round brilliants, giving them a bulkier appearance.

It's important to remember that round brilliants are cut in such a way that any light that enters the diamond will be reflected back out again, while old cuts are cut so that no light will be lost in the process. This causes the diamond-like impression of bright white brilliance. Old-cut diamonds have a deeper, warmer, almost glowing glitter that invites the viewer to look deeper into the stone rather than reflecting the light back at them. As a result, they shine brightest when illuminated by candlelight or other dim sources.

It's possible that untrained eyes wouldn't be able to quickly tell the difference between an old cut diamond and a round brilliant, so let's examine five distinguishing features.

Round Brilliants Vs. Old Cut Diamonds

An old cut diamond, when viewed from above, will appear nearly as round as a current round brilliant cut diamond. It wasn't until the late 1800s that steam-driven and electric cutting machines were developed, allowing for the mass production of round diamonds.

The table size, or top facet, of an old-cut diamond, is typically quite small. The height of the stone's crown, above its widest point, is typically greater than in contemporary brilliant-cut stones. The depth of the pavilion, the part of the stone below its widest point, is typically greater than in dazzling new cuts. To gain a reliable image, though, it's important to compare stones of similar sizes while looking at these characteristics.

There are 58 facets on an old-cut diamond. The pointed culet of most round brilliant cuts limits them to 57 facets. Round brilliant cut diamonds, in contrast to old cut diamonds, which were cut to maximise size and enhance colour and clarity, are fashioned in such a way as to maximise the amount of white light reflected inside and externally from the stone, hence the name.

Cutting And Faceting

When compared to modern machine-cut round brilliants, the human touch of an antique-cut diamond is a major selling point. Some people find it comforting to imagine a skilled worker from a century ago sitting at a workstation and carefully hand-cutting their stone. An examination of any antique cut diamond reveals facets that are larger and less uniform in shape than those of a current brilliant-cut stone, testifying to its legacy. The unique brilliance of each stone is a result of the size, shape, and arrangement of its facets.

Symmetry

Again, this is because antique cuts were created using hand tools. Thus they won't have the symmetrical precision of newer cuts. It happens rather often. It is not uncommon for the shape and alignment of a diamond's facets to be slightly off in an antique cut stone.

A Culet

Most modern diamonds have a sharp tip at the bottom, thanks to improvements in diamond cutting procedures, which allows the stone to reflect any light that enters the stone. Old-cut diamonds are characterised by pavilion facets that are rarely consistently cut and at the correct angle. This means that it is unusual for the tip of an old-cut diamond to be perfectly sharp. Instead, they have a culet, which is an open end that can be either rough or smooth. In the past, the culet was thought to increase a diamond's brilliance because it allowed more light inside the stone.

While looking at an old-cut diamond, the dark circle that represents the culet may be misunderstood as a hole or inclusion. It's the 58th facet and a hallmark of old cut diamonds that sets them apart from round brilliants.

In fashion from the 1890s through the 1930s, old-cut diamonds were a throwback to the Victorian era. In Victorian, Edwardian, and Art Deco works, they are often the focal stones.

Larger carat weights of old-cut diamonds are becoming increasingly scarce. Some people think the recutting of these stones into round brilliants increases their worth since it enhances the diamond's dimensions and its ability to interact with light. Because of this, an engagement ring from the 1880s that features an EDR-certified, VS1-clarity, 2.83-carat, old-cut diamond is a rare and beautiful sight.

This 1.70-carat diamond cluster ring was made in the 1930s, although it is typical of jewellery made with old-cut diamonds near the conclusion of the Art Deco period. At the end of the 1930s, a new type of diamond cut called the "transitional cut" appeared, which finally gave way to the brilliant round cuts that are now standard.

Choosing Between Old Cut Diamonds And Round Brilliants

It's important to keep in mind that, despite their similarities, old-cut diamonds and round brilliants are, in fact, two distinct types of stones with their own sets of benefits and drawbacks.

The best diamonds in the world come from Africa, and the oldest cut diamonds were mined before that continent's mines were discovered. When these vintage gems were fashioned, there were a lot fewer diamonds to go around, and the cutters usually had to make do with lower-grade stones. Carat weight, colour, and clarity were prioritised in diamond cutting at the sacrifice of brilliance at this time. The precision of a machine-cut stone will always be superior to that of a hand-cut one, but that is also part of the appeal of the latter. Diamonds with an antique cut should be evaluated differently from those with a modern cut. Some buyers may place greater value on a certified stone than an uncertified one, but keep in mind that grading organisations often unfairly penalise old-cut diamonds when comparing them to today's standards.

Modern diamonds come in practically any imaginable shape and with almost any imaginable set of characteristics and price points. However, supplies of older cuts of diamonds are decreasing. Therefore compromises will certainly need to be made across the 4Cs. Many people would gladly make this concession in exchange for the chance to acquire a historically significant and unique item.

The most crucial factor in selecting a diamond, whether it is an antique cushion cut or a contemporary round brilliant cut, is a personal preference.

Conclusion

Vintage jewellery's resurgence proves diamonds' durability. Vintage diamonds are more beautiful than machine-cut diamonds. Even the hardest gems can be polished today. Field superposition and cross-cutting linkages help geologists determine relative ages. We value objects based on their age. Diamonds are the jewellery industry's symbol of boldness, yet their value has varied. Diamond prices, like gold, silver, and platinum, fluctuate with market conditions. High-quality diamonds can be utilised as investments, although flawless diamonds are extremely rare. The Gemological Institute of America should authenticate diamonds if they have yet to previously (GIA).

Diamonds and their settings should always be clean, and no bling should be worn during contact sports. Daily wear and incorrect storage can ruin a perfect diamond. Vintage diamonds are popular today because of their history. Selecting an ancient stone has several benefits, including the "green" logic, sentimentality, and the belief that everything old may be made new. Old cut diamonds are round and symmetrical, with a small table, high crown, circular girdle, huge facets, and a flat, polished culet. Rose-cut diamonds, which were cut crudely, became these jewels.

Cut deeper than round brilliants, and they have more bulk. Old-cut diamonds glitter deeper, warmer, and almost blazingly, bringing the eye within. Old-cut diamonds have 58 facets, while round brilliant diamonds have 57. Facet size, shape, and placement determine a stone's radiance. Antique brilliant-cut diamonds have larger, irregular facets than modern ones.

Content Summary

• The diamonds used in antique jewellery designs have a special allure that is lacking in modern, machine-cut diamonds.
• Antique diamonds, on the other hand, have a few flaws.
• These are truly "one of a kind" because they are hand cut.
• The "magic" of diamond cutting, they say, is in danger of being lost.
• Antique diamond jewellery often features a diamond cut that is no longer manufactured.
• As it was realised that kimberlite was the host for diamonds, absolute diamond ages were crucial to both expanding diamond exploration and providing answers to fundamental issues concerning diamond formation: One of the discoveries made on this journey is that a diamond, which can be three billion years old or more, is the oldest mineral sample you can purchase and wear as jewellery.
• This is equivalent to roughly three-quarters of the age of the earth.
• The price of diamonds, however, has changed drastically over time.
• The value of diamonds fluctuates with the market, just like other commodities like gold, silver, and platinum.
• A huge, flawless, perfectly cut, colourless diamond will always be in demand and command a greater price on the market due to its extreme rarity.
• Inflation and the high demand and limited supply of flawless diamonds contribute to the quick appreciation of the gem's value.
• Flawed or otherwise flawed stones are not nearly as rare or valuable, and their worth is unlikely to increase over time.
• Still, a wide variety of high-quality diamonds are available for investment purposes, not just colourless ones.
• A purchaser can take steps to help protect a stone's value and boost it over time.
• It will give the diamond a rating and detail any flaws it has.
• This certificate can be presented to the appraiser to have the stone appraised.
• Therefore the rarer the diamond, the better it is as an investment.
• If you take care of your diamond, its value will only rise.
• There are numerous other advantages to choosing an antique stone.
• Antique diamonds are extremely desirable in today's generation because of their rich history and one-of-a-kind provenance.
• Whatever your reasoning for buying a vintage diamond, you may take comfort in the fact that anything old can be made new again.
• Old-cut diamonds have a deeper, warmer, almost glowing glitter that invites the viewer to look deeper into the stone rather than reflecting the light at them.
• When viewed from above, an old cut diamond will appear nearly as round as a current round brilliant cut diamond.
• An old-cut diamond's table size, or top facet, is typically quite small.
• Compared to modern machine-cut round brilliants, the human touch of an antique-cut diamond is a major selling point.
• The unique brilliance of each stone is a result of the size, shape, and arrangement of its facets.
• Old-cut diamonds are characterised by pavilion facets that rarely consistently cut at the correct angle.
• This means that it is unusual for the tip of an old-cut diamond to be perfectly sharp.
• While looking at an old-cut diamond, the dark circle representing the culet may be misunderstood as a hole or inclusion.
• It's the 58th facet and a hallmark of old cut diamonds that sets them apart from round brilliants.
• In fashion from the 1890s through the 1930s, old-cut diamonds were a throwback to the Victorian era.
• Larger carat weights of old-cut diamonds are becoming increasingly scarce.
• Because of this, an engagement ring from the 1880s that features an EDR-certified, VS1-clarity, 2.83-carat, old-cut diamond is a rare and beautiful sight.
• This 1.70-carat diamond cluster ring was made in the 1930s, although it is typical of jewellery made with old-cut diamonds near the conclusion of the Art Deco period.
• At the end of the 1930s, a new type of diamond cut called the "transitional cut" appeared, which finally gave way to the brilliant round cuts that are now standard.
• It's important to keep in mind that, despite their similarities, old-cut diamonds and round brilliants are, in fact, two distinct types of stones with their own sets of benefits and drawbacks.
• The best diamonds in the world come from Africa, and the oldest cut diamonds were mined before that continent's mines were discovered.
• The precision of a machine-cut stone will always be superior to that of a hand-cut one, but that is also part of the latter's appeal.
• Diamonds with an antique cut should be evaluated differently from modern ones.
• The most crucial factor in selecting a diamond, whether an antique cushion cut or a contemporary round brilliant cut, is preference.