Everything You Want To Know About Asscher Cut Engagement Rings
Asscher cut engagement rings are a very popular choice at the moment with some opting for the vintage 1900s version and others going for the modern cut more properly known as the Royal Asscher cut.
The cut is based on the emerald cut for diamonds and is extremely beautiful but very unforgiving. Only very good quality diamonds are selected for this particular shape which resembles an octagon rather than a square although it is often referred to as the square emerald cut. These cushion cut facets are considered to be on a par to the brilliant cut diamond due to the characteristics of the particular style including a high crown, deep pavilion and cut corners. The effect is to create much more light than normally found in a square cut stone thus increasing the sparkle and brilliance.
The original design developed circa 1902 had 58 facets and was originally patented as is the Royal Asscher cut today which has 74 facets. But with the imprisonment of the Asscher family during the Second World War, there was nobody around to renew the original patent and so people were free to copy the design. After WWII, only ten members of the family survived but they went on to build the Royal Asscher diamond company in Holland. This now produces the world renowned Royal Asscher cut and is so protective of their patent that every authentic diamond will be signed and stamped with the company logo.
Usually Asscher cut engagement rings are made as solitaires and normally set in platinum although you can get yellow or white gold bands for the modern version. Some people prefer to accentuate the diamond by placing smaller diamonds in either a pave or channel setting into the band. Others like to have a three stone effect by placing smaller rectangular diamonds on either side of the main stone. This increases the overall weight of diamonds in the ring adding to the sparkle factor. But don’t overdo it as you do not want to ruin the effect of this magnificent cut by adding too many extra stones.
Many famous people have opted to have this particular cut for their engagement rings. The mayor of New York presented his wife to be with one weighing over 5 carats. Reese Witherspoon and Kate Hudson have also been seen wearing this style.
Antique Asscher cut engagement rings are extremely rare and as they are currently back in vogue, those that do appear command a premium price. The newer Royal Asscher cut has 74 facets and was developed using the old 1900s version as a baseline. The jewelers looked at the old design and with the help of computer simulation and new cutting techniques were able to improve the quality of the design without removing any of the beauty. The extra facets create a mirror like effect causing the light to bounce around the diamond making a truly stunning piece of jewelry.
You can compliment Asscher cut engagement rings with an Asscher wedding band. Then when the first baby comes along or you have been married ten years, he may buy you the Asscher cut earrings to match!