EUROPEAN CUT

A fancy intense brownish yellow old European cut diamond is set at the center of this Art Deco era platinum filigree and diamond setting
Photo courtesy of Scott Papper, GIA GG, AJP, CMA (NAJA), Global Gemology & Appraisals

Old European cut diamonds are predecessors to the modern round brilliant cut.

In 1891, the power driven bruting machine was invented.  This allowed diamond cutters the opportunity to shape the girdle of a diamond to be round, as opposed to the irregularly-shaped, old mine cut diamonds that preceded the European cut.

Old European cut diamonds are known for their round shape, brilliant faceting style, and open culet.

​European cuts were very popular from the 1890s to the 1930s.