Asscher Cut Diamonds

The asscher cut is a square cut often compared with an emerald cut; however, the asscher cut has a larger step facet and a smaller table than an emerald cut. The asscher cut diamond`s crown being heigh and its pavilion being deeper, the stone reveals more light and sparkle than an emerald cut diamond.

The asscher can also be compared to square emerald cuts due to the similarity of the facet patterns. However, the typical features of the asscher are as follows:

• Small table
• High crown
• Dramatic cut corners
• Depth percentage of 60% or more
• Broad windmill reflection
• House of mirrors (square pattern with the same centre)
• Square culet

The asscher cut dates back to 1902, when it was developed by Joseph Asscher and then patented by Asscher Diamond Company. The asscher resembles octagon with its steep deeply cut corners. The asscher cut manufacture was encouraged by the table cut of the Renaissance, but still it is a great departure from the cuts, which were popular in the 1880s. In addition, the asscher cut is considered to be a predescessor of the typical emerald cut.

The Asscher cut was devised before 1910 when the cutting of the rotary diamonds was modernized. The Royal Asscher Diamond is a branded name of the asscher cut that is produced by the only company and distributed in The Unated States by the only wholeseeler. This special cut is short in supply and, as a result, costs extra money.

With the growing popularity of square cut diamonds, the demand for the asscher cut increased. The asscher cut diamonds are sold at a premium price, especially older ones, which have not been recut.The asscher cut is also in great demand with estate and antique dealers who use it for reparing and replacing of older pieces of jewelry.

As most of the asscher cut diamonds are unique, there is no typical grading for them. Each stone is examined and estimated individually. Some asschers are being manufactured nowadays, but there is an only insignificant value difference between an old stone and a new one.