Which early brilliant cut has a circular girdle?

Which early brilliant cut has a circular girdle?

• A. Old-mine cut
• B. Old European cut
• C. Open-pit mining
• D. Near-gem

Answer: (B)

Understanding girdle shape helps when comparing antique round brilliants. The Old European cut is the classic round antique cut that preserves weight while forming a true circle in its outline, so the girdle traces a circle around the stone. That circular girdle is characteristic of this cut, reflecting its round silhouette and facet pattern with a relatively high crown and deep pavilion. The Old Mine cut, while also antique, tends to produce a more angular or cushion-like outline rather than a perfect circle, so its girdle doesn’t appear circular. The other two options aren’t recognized diamond cuts, so they don’t describe a girdle shape. Therefore, the Old European cut is the one with a circular girdle.

Understanding girdle shape helps when comparing antique round brilliants. The Old European cut is the classic round antique cut that preserves weight while forming a true circle in its outline, so the girdle traces a circle around the stone. That circular girdle is characteristic of this cut, reflecting its round silhouette and facet pattern with a relatively high crown and deep pavilion. The Old Mine cut, while also antique, tends to produce a more angular or cushion-like outline rather than a perfect circle, so its girdle doesn’t appear circular. The other two options aren’t recognized diamond cuts, so they don’t describe a girdle shape. Therefore, the Old European cut is the one with a circular girdle.