Diamond Cuts and Shapes: Asscher Cut Diamonds

While referring to diamonds, the terms 'cut' and 'shape' are often used interchangeably, however, these two are different from each other. While shape relates to what the word normally means, cut refers to the angle at which the different facets of a diamond are cut. While there are a wide variety of shapes like round, princess, oval and asscher, a cut can be ideal, deep or shallow. Cut is considered the most important of all the 4 C's of Diamonds - Cut, Clarity, Color and Carat, as the brilliance of this gemstone depends upon the cut.

Diamond Cut

The brilliance of a diamond depends upon the light that reaches the eye of the observer. In case of a diamond that has an ideal cut, light rays enter from the table, strike the facets of the pavilion and come out from the table back into the eyes of the observer. In shallow cut or a deep cut diamonds, the light rays do not reach the observer's eyes. Instead, they get reflected out of the diamond from the other sides.

Asscher Cut

The Royal Asscher Diamond Company of Netherlands, founded by the Asscher family in 1854, is credited for having cut some of the best diamonds in the world. Joseph Asscher of the Asscher family was the one who designed the original asscher cut in 1902. A reputed gemstone cutter, Joseph Asscher was invited by the King Edward IV of England to cut the famous Cullinan diamond in 1907.The asscher cut was the first diamond cut to be patented.

The asscher cut was inspired by the table cuts of the Renaissance period. However, they did not have the brilliant cuts of the gemstones of those times. This cut has an octagonal outline and is characterized by a small table, a high crown, deep pavilion and broad step facets. The asscher cut is similar to the emerald cut except that instead of being rectangular, asscher cut diamonds are square shaped. However, the facets in the pavilion are rectangular in shape. As compared to the emerald cut, an asscher cut diamond has a higher crown and deeper pavilion. Its higher crown and smaller table gives an asscher cut more fire and light than an emerald cut. While square emerald cuts and asscher cuts have similar facet patterns, asscher cut diamonds have a smaller table and a depth of 60% or more.

Till 2001, diamonds with asscher cut were not easy to come by. They would be available mostly in antique shops. However, in 2001, a lot of research was done on this cut. New specifications were laid down and more facets were added to this cut that increased the brilliance of this diamond. Along with its increased shine and the soaring popularity of diamonds with square cut, asscher and princess cuts are in demand for diamond jewelry like never before.

The sparkle and brilliance of diamonds have always enthralled humans. They form an integral part of a woman's jewelry. Asscher cut diamond rings are specially in demand. From the simple round cut to the fancier marquise cut, diamond are a brilliant piece of jewelry.