.45ct Round Aurora Engagement Ring - Old European Cut Diamond in Yellow Gold

Birthstone: April

Anniversary: 10th, 60th

Holding an antique diamond feels like handling an ancient treasure—and for good reason. These hand-cut gems from the 1700s and 1800s are precursors to today's modern round brilliant, carrying the undeniable charm of the Georgian, Victorian, Edwardian, and Art Deco eras. Unlike modern diamonds cut by precise machines, antique diamonds were shaped individually by skilled craftsmen using only hand tools and keen eyes, making each stone unique with its own personality and character.

The most common antique cuts are old mine and old European styles, both featuring wide, geometric facets that create bright pops of sparkle rather than the disco ball dazzle of contemporary cuts. These diamonds were designed to perform beautifully under candlelight and early gas lamps, offering superior light performance in dim lighting conditions like romantic restaurants. Originally sourced from the "old mines" of Brazil and India before African deposits were discovered, antique diamonds tend to have warmer color tones but often "face up" whiter to the naked eye due to their expert hand-cutting. As post-consumer recycled gems, they represent the most environmentally sustainable diamond choice with virtually no carbon footprint, while their rarity continues to increase as fewer remain in circulation each year.