What's the best ring setting for a miner's cut diamond?

March 12, 2009 6:20 PM

I recently inherited a large diamond in a "miner's cut," which is somewhat square and has an old-fashioned look to it. I want to get it set into a ring, but am not sure what kind of setting would be best for this cut of diamond. Can anyone help?
posted by plinsky to clothing, beauty, & fashion (7 comments total)

Here are the search results at Fay Cullen for rings with mine-cut diamonds. There are a huge variety of styles from multiple periods, but they are for the most part vintage and antique rings. You could buy the ring setting from them and have your stone inserted- you don't have to pay for a ring with the stone. (I never get tired of browsing this site!)
posted by Mouse Army at 6:40 PM on March 12

how big of a stone?

The miner's cut's cousin is the cushion cut. Personally, since the miner's cut is kinda like a round brilliant but fatter, rounder, and more solid, I'd think they'd look best in a solitary setting with a medium thick band. A setting like that makes it a tad engagement ring ish. If you'd rather have it not look like that, a band with dark stones in it (sapphires, onyx, etc) might set it off nicely as well. I'd avoid halo type settings because I think they're tacky and they'll make your stone look less like a diamond and more like a costume piece.
posted by Stynxno at 7:15 PM on March 12

A bezel setting (or semi-bezel, as in the first picture) would look great.
posted by dogrose at 8:03 PM on March 12

Seconding a bezel setting - my engagement ring has a very similarly cut stone and i think the bezel suits it quite well.
posted by ukdanae at 3:00 AM on March 13

The diamond is 1.79ct. So far, I think I'm liking the vintage looks the best.
posted by plinsky at 3:39 AM on March 13

I am not your jeweller, but formerly was a jeweller specializing in antique jewellery. I'm also sneaking this in between loads of laundry, so am not using my best former jeweller terms.

Tiffany's Lucida Cut diamond setting was designed especially for stones like this. They have less going on in the way of "brilliance", because they're not proportioned for that. Since diamonds get their sparkle from the light refracting from the bottom facets, it's important to have a setting that lets light underneath the stone, if you want more "twinkle". Here's an article that talks about it. If you like something subtle (which I do), it won't matter so much, and so choose whatever setting suits you - because a ring should suit your hand and personal style as much as the stone.

Since you have the good fortune to have inherited a great sized stone, and like vintage settings, I'd also suggest that you consider platinum when choosing your mount, because it's a metal with no yellow tint, and any stone will look a little better in it - but especially an older cut. Again, because that cut's proportions won't refract as much light and be as sparkly as others - it can also pick up a bit of the tint of the metal around it - and white gold, while often rhodium-plated (platinum-plated), has a yellowish tint. You can have it replated from time to time, but platinum is really durable and wil really enhance your stone, and is a great material for detailed settings.

So, good luck with whatever you choose!
posted by peagood at 7:37 AM on March 13

Do yourself a favor and check out the Show Me The Ring and Rocky Talky forums at Pricescope.com. Post pictures of your stone and you will get tons of setting suggestions. Also do a search for OMC on Pricescope to see posts and user pictures. There's a huge ongoing thread specifically for lovers of OMCs and OECs and the other older diamond cuts.

If you are set on Fay Cullen, be aware that there have been some quality issues with her pieces and her return policy is NOT consumer-friendly.

Pricescope.com is a fantastic, free, and unbiased source of info for all things diamond-related and most things jewelry related! I learned a ton there when my husband and I were researching engagement rings.
posted by younggreenanne at 1:29 PM on March 13