Asscher Cut Diamonds

Asscher Cut Diamonds

The Asscher cut was developed in 1902 by Joseph Asscher, a prominent Dutch artisan and jewelry designer, well known in the diamond industry for his innovative designs and creations. Joseph Asscher perfected this singular diamond cut while working on cutting and polishing the world's largest rough diamond, the astounding 3,106 carat Cullinan diamond, which was unearthed in 1907 in the Premier Mine.

The Asscher cut belongs to the 'step cuts' category since the cut was adapted from the traditional emerald cut. Similar to the emerald cut, the Asscher cut has clipped corners, a shallow pavilion, no culet and a distinctly square shaped frame. While traditional emerald cut diamonds were cut with 57 facets, Asscher cut diamonds were fitted with 74 facets , as a means of improving the square shaped diamond's brilliance, which was diminished by its relatively shallow pavilion Asscher cuts were designed to maximize a diamond's natural sparkle, while still retaining the popular square shape of the classical emerald cut. Since an Asscher cut diamond is so shallowly cut, any imperfections which the diamond may possess will be easily visible when looking through the diamond's top, or its crown. Therefore, it is crucial that an Asscher cut diamond have high Clarity and Color grades. The recommended clarity grade for an Asscher cut diamond is VSII or higher, and the suggested color grade can be no lower than G.

Asscher cut diamonds are most frequently set into diamond engagement rings. As with an emerald cut, an Asscher cut diamond's unique form makes it an amazing center stone for an engagement ring, but a relatively difficult gemstone to fit into regular engagement ring settings. An Asscher cut diamond requires custom made settings (such as four prong setting, tension settings) which will properly accommodate its unique frame. The strong, clean lines of the Asscher diamond cut are incredibly appealing and give the Asscher cut diamond set engagement ring an elegant, yet trendy, look.

Asscher cut diamonds are very unique, and, as such, are not that easy to find in local jewelry stores. Not all vendors carry diamonds with this singular cut. Since Asscher cut diamonds are considered to be especially rare, they are often very expensive. Asscher cut Diamond Engagement Rings can cost significantly more than engagement rings set with the more traditional emerald cut diamonds or round brilliant cut diamonds.