Diamonds used in rings are mostly preferred in round, princess and cushion cuts. While each of these cuts have perfect brilliance and reflection, the other cuts that are equal or pluperfect in terms of aesthetics often get shunned by the custom and fixation.
Asscher cut is one of them that has only started to surface as a new favorite of designers and subsequently customers, even though it has been around since 1902. Having survived an entire century in the shadow and afterglow of the first three cuts, Asscher cut diamonds have come up as the new best thing in this century.
It’s Birth in Holland
The cut is named after the Asscher brothers who were the first to invent this cut. Their names also come up for cutting a 3,106 carat rough stone which for the record, is the world’s largest. Before long, the cut did step out to gather some popularity in the jewelry market of Holland. It peaked popularity in the year 1920, close to 20 years after its discovery. Again sustaining a period of total darkness, the cut made a comeback in jewels in 2002. Today, antique jewelers proudly present some of their most expensive artifacts dressed in Asscher cut diamonds.
Up and Close
Asscher cut resembles the regular emerald cut diamond in its outer square shape. All the differences it owes to the details. It is cut with larger steps, smaller center table and a crown that stands higher. With that, the brilliance achieved is manifolds as compared to the emerald cut and that is where it defies the semblance. Viewed from the top, the asscher cut diamonds exhibit uniform concentric square lines through its clear flat table on the top. Surprising as it may sound, this ripple is only an optical illusion created by the central positioning of the pavilion facets. The stones assume an octagonal shape because of the corner cropping.
On a Ring
The actual brilliance of the cut manifests when the stone is secured on a four prong setting, it’s square silhouette bouncing light off each of its facets. While some designs require perfect square asscher GIA certified diamonds, others make do with rectangular-cut ones. The color and clarity obviously determine the success of the design. Some like it towards the warmer shades, while others prefer the cool translucence. It is only with the higher grades of diamonds, that a perceivable color difference can be noticed.
Asscher cut diamonds have excellent symmetry and that makes them the star of the event.
