Rose-Cut Diamond Care Manual

All jewellery sold by 21stFinds has had a gentle clean before offered for purchase. A lot of antique jewels are set with rose-cut diamonds in closed settings. These antique jewels have a unique history and character but need a little extra care when worn. If looked after, rose-cut diamond jewellery will keep its beautiful appearance for many years to come.

History

The rose-cut, consisting of a domed, faceted top and flat back, is one of the older diamond-cutting shapes. The earliest rose-cut diamonds were cut in the 1600s and remained a popular diamond shape throughout the Georgian and Victorian era, up to the early Twentieth Century. After the invention of the modern round brilliant-cut in the 1920s, the rose-cut was used less frequently. 

Setting Technique

Rose-cuts are sometimes set in a closed setting with a piece of foil placed behind them - a technique called foiling - to help increase their brilliance. This piece of foil acts like a little mirror and ensures light reflects into the stone - the so-called pavilion or tip of a modern round-brilliant cut diamond has the same effect and creates the beautiful brilliance that modern diamonds are so loved for. When looking at a rose-cut diamond, you will notice that its brilliance is more demure and differs per diamond: this is what make a rose-cut diamond unique and irresistible to a lot of antique jewellery collections. 

Care Manual 

The foiled in the settings of a rose-cut diamond are susceptible to tarnishing, especially when they get into contact with water, in time giving the stones a brownish and/or dull appearance. Therefore do not get any rose-cut diamond set jewel into contact with water, for instance by showering, swimming or cleaning.