What Is An Asscher Cut Diamond?
Asscher cut diamonds are a very popular square cut diamond. People all around the world have enjoyed the cut’s vintage aesthetic, glassy shine, and brilliant charm. In fact, many celebrities enjoy the Asscher cut for their engagement rings with some of the most popular include:
- Elizabeth Taylor’s Krupp diamond at 33.19 carats
- Jessica Alba’s five-carat ring
- and Pippa Middleton’s ring.
Let’s take a closer look at what makes an Asscher cut diamond, the two main types of Asscher cut stones, and how to choose a gem for an Asscher cut.
What Is An Asscher Cut Diamond?
Asscher cut diamonds were invented by master diamond cutter Joseph Asscher, founder of I.J. Asscher Diamond Company. It was such a unique design for its time that Asscher had the cut patented, denoting the first time in history a diamond cut had ever been patented. The patent extended until World War II when the cut became accessible to the public.
Originally, the Asscher diamond was cut with fifty to fifty-eight facets and was almost square in shape. Ideally, it would have been cut to a ratio of 1:1.04 so that it was slightly longer than a square. This arrangement resulted in an effect known as the “hall of mirrors” which caused the stone to sparkle in a unique manner.
The Two Types Of Asscher Cut Diamonds
There are two types of authentic Asscher cut diamonds, the Standard Asscher cut and the Royal Asscher cut.
Standard Asscher Cut
The Standard Asscher cut is a fifty-eight faceted step cut that reflects a distinct Art Deco style. This style was the cut originally patented, but the patent was lost in the 1940s.
The cut style is a blend between traditional princess and emerald cuts with an X-shaped facet that runs from its corners to the center cutlet. This is a cut that enhances and highlights stone clarity and is ideal for higher-clarity loose diamonds.
Royal Asscher Cut
Royal Asscher cut diamonds have sixteen more facets than a standard cut with a total of seventy-four facets.
This makes it more closely resemble the Cullinan II diamond and helps it absorb light from every angle. Additionally, it has a higher crown than the original cut with a rainbow-like effect that adds brilliance to the stone.
How To Choose A Gem For The Asscher Cut
Selecting a gem for an Asscher cut requires a significant amount of patience and dedication. This cut is not right for every gem as it leaves a lot of transparency in the stone, so you need to pay careful attention to the diamond’s color and clarity.
Typically, you want to select a stone that is at least a “G” or higher on the color scale to ensure the facets are able to properly break up light.
Then, you’ll want to consider the stone’s clarity, sticking with at least a VS1 or VS2 grading. Anything with a lower grade will likely have too many inclusions to result in a brilliant cut.
Are You Looking For An Asscher Cut Diamond?
If you’re in the market for an Asscher cut diamond and need help picking out the right gem for your engagement, anniversary, or other occasion, reach out to our skilled diamond professionals for expert opinions, helpful advice, and direction to the perfect piece for you.