how they did it a 100 years ago?

[Arkteia]

I am looking at old jewelry that I have and the one that is featured in books. Almost all stones are windowed! Did they not know how to do it, did not mind windowed stones, or what? Considering that 3-4 centuries ago most of stones, at least where I come from, were faceted en cabochon, or like emeralds, cutting them would already be a major step forward, but still...Am I just too sensitive to it?

 

[empress]

I think you are trying to compare cars to donkey carts.

The cuts were making stones more sparkly - from cabs.

If you look at "historic" gems - like the blue diamond - they have windows.

Windows are something that we can understand with the advent of precision cutting and analysis of how to cut stones, light return, etc.

Yes - they were "clueless" - it didn''t matter. They were brighter!

 

[Harriet]

I love some of the "historic diamonds," windows and all. Not everything has to be perfectly cut, in today''s terms, to be beautiful.

 

[chrono]

Cutting is not only a skill but an art. To them, in those days, just getting a few facets on the rough was a huge improvement over cabochons. However, some gemstones have very unique cuts and even very fine and detailed engraving done on them. Sure, the cutting is quite poor but the colour and sheer size are something to behold.