Ahead of the Trend: Caram’s Antique Cushion Engagement Rings Before Taylor Swift Made Them Iconic
- Caram
- Sep 5
- 4 min read
Taylor Swift’s engagement ring — an antique-inspired cushion cut diamond in yellow gold — has set the design language for 2025. But at Caram, we were crafting antique cushion engagement rings years earlier. In 2022, we created a fancy yellow diamond old mine cut ring in yellow gold, proving that true connoisseurship doesn’t follow trends — it anticipates them.
Antique Cushions: A Timeless Cut Returns
Antique cushions, often called old mine cuts, emerged in the 18th and 19th centuries. With their broad facets, high crowns, and slightly irregular outlines, they were hand-cut to glow under candlelight. Unlike modern brilliant cuts, which maximize sparkle, antique cushions radiate a softer, romantic fire.
Collectors value them precisely for this character. Each stone feels unique — less standardized, more soulful. Taylor Swift’s engagement ring has reintroduced this silhouette to millions, but connoisseurs have always known its enduring charm.
Caram’s 2022 Fancy Yellow Diamond Old Mine Cut Ring
In 2022, Caram designed and crafted an engagement ring centered on a fancy yellow diamond in an old mine cut. Set in yellow gold, the diamond was flanked by side stones and delicate detailing that emphasized proportion and craft.
This ring anticipated the very design language now dominating the conversation:
Old mine cut center stone → antique romance and individuality.
Fancy yellow diamond → rarity, warmth, and personality.
Yellow gold setting → intimacy and timeless appeal.
At the time, few jewelers were presenting old mine cuts as the centerpiece of modern engagement rings. For Caram, however, the choice was natural: heirloom-quality design transcends fleeting fashion
Why Yellow Gold Matters
Taylor Swift’s antique cushion engagement ring confirmed what collectors have been rediscovering: yellow gold is back. Platinum and white gold once dominated the engagement market, but yellow gold carries a different emotional register:
Warmth: It enhances the glow of antique cuts and fancy color diamonds.
Tactility: Yellow gold feels more intimate, more human than the icy coolness of platinum.
History: For centuries, yellow gold was the default for royal and aristocratic jewels.
Caram’s 2022 ring embodied this warmth, years before Taylor’s ring sparked its renaissance.
Collector’s Guide to Antique Cushion Engagement Rings
For clients inspired by Taylor Swift’s ring — or Caram’s own antique designs — here are key considerations:
Center Stone
Diamond: Antique cushions offer romance; fancy yellows add rarity and individuality.
Emeralds, Sapphires, Rubies: Colored stones in antique cushions combine history with bold personal signature.
Color
Diamonds: Fancy yellows, pinks, and blues add distinctiveness.
Emeralds: Colombian stones bring lush “Cleopatra green.”
Sapphires: From Ceylon blues to Padparadscha pink-oranges.
Rubies: Burmese rubies in antique cushion cuts radiate unmatched fire.
Cut
Old Mine vs. Modern Cushion: Old mine = irregular charm and broad flashes; modern cushion = standardized symmetry and brilliance.
Craftsmanship
Prongs: Refined, secure, and proportionate to protect softer corners.
Engraving: Adds heirloom charm and individuality.
Settings: Lower profiles for durability; bezels or double prongs for emeralds.
Beyond Diamonds: Antique Cushions in Color
The silhouette Taylor Swift popularized translates beautifully to colored gemstones — Caram’s specialty. Imagine:
A Colombian emerald antique cushion glowing with rich jardin.
A Ceylon sapphire cushion in vibrant royal blue.
A Burmese ruby antique cushion, fiery and regal.
For collectors, these choices offer individuality while embracing the heirloom language of antique cuts.
Why Caram Was Ahead of the Trend
When Caram created the 2022 fancy yellow diamond old mine cut ring, it wasn’t in response to headlines — it was in response to heritage. Across seven generations, we’ve learned that design grounded in history always returns to relevance.
Taylor Swift’s engagement ring may be the catalyst for 2025’s conversations, but Caram’s 2022 creation proves that true connoisseurship lives ahead of fashion cycles.
Caram's Perspective
At Caram, we see inspiration everywhere — in royal sapphires, Hollywood emeralds, and yes, in Taylor Swift’s antique cushion diamond. But we don’t copy trends. We craft bespoke heirlooms that anticipate them.
Whether you dream of an antique cushion diamond, a fancy colored diamond, or a gemstone center in sapphire, emerald, or ruby, we invite you to explore our Love Stories archive, learn from our Gem Education resources, browse our emerald engagement rings and sapphire engagement rings, and ultimately, Book a consultation to craft a jewel that will tell your story for generations
FAQ: Antique Cushion Engagement Rings
Q: What is the difference between an antique cushion and a modern cushion cut?A: Antique cushions (old mine cuts) have broad facets and irregular charm; modern cushions prioritize symmetry and brilliance.
Q: Are antique cushion rings practical for daily wear?A: Yes, with secure prongs and proper craftsmanship. Softer corners can be protected with double prongs or bezels.
Q: Can colored gemstones be cut into antique cushions?A: Absolutely. Sapphires, emeralds, and rubies can all be fashioned in antique cushion shapes, offering individuality and romance.
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