Asscher Cut Diamond - Also referred to as: Square Emerald Cut

The Asscher cut is similar in style to the Emerald cut, which is why it is frequently referred to as the Square Emerald cut. It is the brightest diamond shape out of all the steep cuts and boasts a beautiful ‘halls of mirror effect’. This is a very unique diamond cut that has experienced a resurgence in popularity over the past few years. It is the ideal cut for anyone that wants something with a lot of brilliance while also maintaining an elegant and classic appearance.

1. An Introduction

The Asscher cut is famed for its prismatic brilliance and shape. A ring with this shape of diamond is guaranteed to turn heads. It is similar to the squarer Emerald cuts, albeit with a smaller table, higher crown, and larger step facets. This creates more brilliance, which is one of the cut’s most desirable qualities. The Asscher cut also has cropped corners, which adds to the unusual appearance.

2. Features

The typical length to width ratio of this diamond is 1.00 to 1.05 and it usually features 58 facets. Due to the small table, high crown, faceted culet, and deep pavilion, a ‘halls of mirror’ optical illusion effect is created and the diamond boasts a gorgeous lustre. This is the most standard Asscher cut, but there is another type available, known as the Royal Asscher cut. This is patented and it is very rare. The main difference is the fact that it contains more facets; 78 to be precise.

3. Buying Advice

If you want to buy an Asscher diamond, you are advised to opt for one that is graded highly in terms of clarity, i.e. no lower than VS2, as well as a colour rating above I. You should also opt for a depth between 51 and 77 per cent and a table between 60 and 73.5 per cent. In terms of settings, four prong settings are the best for this type of diamond.

Tal Cohen - MD Rêve Diamonds

4. History

The Asscher cut was developed in the early 20th century by Joseph Asscher; so you can see where it got its name. Joseph Asscher ran a diamond business of the same name in Amsterdam, which was given a royal title because of its role in the diamond sector. In the 1920s, the Asscher diamond was only available in specialist Art Deco jewellers and antique shops, yet it was highly desirable and popular. Around the 1980s, this cut was redesigned to give more lustre, which made it more popular again.

Where next?

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