A Yes on the Beach: An Old Mine Cut Diamond Proposal

Some engagement stories begin with a long search for the right ring. For Ryan, that search became extensive—spanning jewelers across Chicago and countless hours browsing online.

Grace gave Ryan full creative freedom to choose the ring without sharing her preferences. During his search, he found himself drawn to Old Mine cuts—unique, though increasingly popular nowadays. Ryan was looking for something very specific: a timeless and classic setting in yellow gold, where the diamond itself would remain the focal point. He wanted an engagement ring that would feel elegant today and decades from now.

Ryan began locally, visiting jewelers throughout Chicago. But as he continued, he started exploring online to broaden his search, comparing designs, settings, and diamonds of all eras. That’s when he came across Jack Weir & Sons, our family owned business in Beverly Hills.

Discovering the Right Piece

Ryan jokes he thought he had seen every gold engagement ring on the internet, but came across a few vintage rings on Jack Weir & Sons that fit the criteria he had in mind.

Rather than rushing into a decision, Ryan wanted to learn more about the pieces he was considering. To do that, he scheduled a call with our concierge, Kate.

Together they reviewed the rings Ryan had shortlisted and discussed the details that mattered most to him—diamond cut, setting style, and overall design.

Among the options, one ring stood out.

Ryan chose a GIA-certified old mine cut diamond set in 14k yellow gold. The ring combined a classic gold setting with the distinctive character of an antique diamond cut, creating a piece that felt both timeless and unique.

With the ring selected, Ryan was ready for the next step.

A Beachside Proposal

Ryan proposed to Grace at the Schlitz Audubon Nature Center beach in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

The setting made for an intimate and beautiful moment as he asked Grace to marry him. The ring he had carefully searched for, an Old Mine cut diamond set in warm yellow gold, sealed their engagement.

For Ryan and Grace, the search for the right ring had led to something that reflected exactly what he was looking for: a classic piece with lasting appeal.

Understanding the Old Mine Cut

The diamond Ryan chose belongs to a category known as the Old Mine cut, one of the earliest styles of diamond cutting.

Old Mine cut diamonds were primarily produced from the 18th century through the late 19th century, before the development of modern diamond-cutting technology. Each stone was shaped by hand, meaning cutters worked with the natural shape of the diamond rather than relying on standardized measurements.

Because of this process, Old Mine cut diamonds often show variations in their proportions and symmetry.

There are several characteristics that help identify an Old Mine cut diamond:

- A cushion-like outline, often slightly square with rounded corners
- A high crown, which gives the stone added depth
- A smaller table compared to modern cuts
- A large open culet, visible when looking through the top of the stone

These features were designed to enhance the diamond’s appearance under candlelight and softer lighting conditions, which were common during the time these stones were originally cut.

The result is a diamond that displays a different type of brilliance than modern cuts. Instead of sharp flashes of light, old mine cut diamonds tend to show broader, softer reflections.

Antique Diamonds Today

Antique diamond cuts like the Old Mine cut have gained renewed attention among collectors and couples searching for engagement rings.

Part of the appeal lies in their individuality. Because each stone was cut by hand, no two Old Mine cut diamonds are exactly alike. This makes them particularly appealing to buyers looking for a ring that stands apart from modern mass-produced designs.

Many stones available today were originally cut over a century ago, meaning they have already lived through multiple eras of design and fashion.

A Classic Choice

For Ryan and Grace, the ring Ryan selected reflects the qualities they were looking for from the beginning: classic design, lasting style, and a diamond with character.

After a search that spanned both local jewelers in Chicago and extensive online research, Ryan found the ring that fit those criteria.

A GIA-certified old mine cut diamond in 14k yellow gold—a piece with history, chosen for a new chapter.

And it all came together with a proposal at the beach.

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Over the past 40 years, we’ve traveled across the world, curating extraordinary estate jewels. We are extremely grateful for our clients and the ability to help people celebrate their special moments through one-of-a-kind finds.

We welcome clients for both in-person and virtual appointments and are always happy to answer questions about your favorite jewels.

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