What is the different between an antique diamond and an estate diamond?

Both are used diamonds, an estate diamond can be an antique, but doesn't have to be old really. On the other hand an antique diamond can also be an estate diamond, but can also be an old vintage which isn't.

Basically, an estate diamond is a diamond previously owned by a high class estate. In many cases we are referring to old rich families and to estates that no longer exist. In these cases the descendants of those families usually sale the diamonds, either directly or through a third side or an auction. Obviously, this depends on the value of the diamond, how famous the family is, etc. As I said, usually we talk about old vintage diamonds, but in some cases an estate diamond can be a stone polished 10 years ago, purchased by an old couple that has since passed away, thus the diamond is being sold again. When buying an estate diamond customers tend to buy also a story behind the diamond. Perhaps the diamond has been formerly owned by some royal family, perhaps a famous movie star wore it in the 60's, or maybe we are talking about a truly rare huge fancy colored diamond that has been sold in a famous auction some years ago. As you can guess, estate diamonds are normally quite expensive. The more interesting the story of the diamond is, the more pricey it could get.

An antique diamond can also have quite history, but when one refers to a diamond as an antique he or she usually refer to its physical appearance and not to its background. In diamonds an antique is usually a synonym to vintage. Therefore, the design or the physical condition of an antique diamond appears old, and in good cases also classy. Actually, the term antique jewelry is used more often than antique diamond, because with jewelry the special design is more distinct, and there's a much bigger difference than a ring from the 1930's, for example, than a ring designed in 2010, becuase of the evolving fashions and styles, whereas with diamonds the design evolution is much less prominent (new diamond cuts are available, but the traditional round shape is still far more popular than any other cut). The same goes for vintage jewelry. The appearance of a vintage diamond isn't so much esteemed unless we are talking about a diamond of exquisite quality or that his former owners were very famous.

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