Asscher Cut Diamond Rings
The Asscher cut is also known as the square emerald cut. It is much like the marquise cut, save for the fact that it is almost a whole century younger. The Asscher cut is centuries old; though in the case of the latter, it has just crossed the century mark. The Asscher cut first came to prominence in the early nineties, and we’ve just passed the first decade of the twentieth century.
However, the path the Asscher cut took was paved with trials, tribulations and glory. It took off to a flying start at its creation, but subsequently took a plunge during the years of the Great Depression, only to re-emerge after that tumultuous period to continue wowing the world with its beauty and unique cut.
The Asscher cut has also been developed over time. The older Asscher cuts were more like art deco style, which was popular at the time of its inception. Since then it has evolved, and its latest evolution was in 2001. The new Asscher cut features a wider table – the large, flat surface on the face of a diamond – and smaller corners. This increases the fire and sparkle in the stones, courtesy of the larger amount of refractions made possible by the new cut’s 74 facets, as opposed to 58 facets favored by the old style. This creates a greater and brighter sparkle, effectively increasing its elegance and beauty.
Asscher cut diamonds are square-shaped with deeply cut corners, making them distinctively octagonal. They also feature a series of parallel steps that maximize the light capture and refraction abilities of the diamonds, giving them their characteristic sparkle.
FAQs about the diamonds:
How much do they cost?
Unfortunately, due to the exclusivity of production being restricted to the Asscher family, and due to the complexity and sheer beauty of the cut, Asscher cut diamond rings tend to be pricier than, say, their round or marquise cut cousins. That extra cash you fork out is well worth its weight in gold, though (or in this case, diamonds). The 74 facets featured on the new Asscher cut diamonds capture and refract light from many angles within and without the stone, rendering onlookers hopelessly bedazzled by the fiery bright sparkle contained in the diamond. It is truly, a beauty worth having. If you are looking to buy an engagement ring for your fiancé, this diamond would certainly help nudge her into saying “yes” to your proposal.
How can I verify its authenticity?
Today’s world is fraught with fake products, diamonds being no exception. However Asscher is quick to assuage your doubts. Authentic Asscher cut diamond rings come with a certificate of authenticity. As if that isn’t enough, Asscher also makes every stone they cut bear the Asscher family insignia along with an identification number on the stone’s girdle. These are ingeniously done in such minute detail that you can’t see them without magnification, so you might want to ask your jeweler to show them to you. If an Asscher cut diamond ring is presented to you without any of these three proofs of authenticity, then it is a dead giveaway to forgery. It is always wise and safe to seek a second opinion when buying something that will cost you thousands of dollars.
What should I look for to maximize its sparkling appeal?
You can hardly do any better than to go looking for rings done in a four-prong setting. This elevates the stone so that it can capture more light, which will then bounce around to create that sparkle the Asscher cut diamond rings are famous for. However, care should be taken that the prongs remain tiny so as to not obscure the corners of the diamond, lest they create an unfavorable illusion of diminished size. Avoid bezel and channel settings if you can because these will give you the opposite effect of what you’re looking for: less light, and therefore less sparkle.
What if I want the diamond to appear bigger?
If you want the diamond on your ring to appear bigger than it really is, you can opt for a Pave setting – although this one will require you to use multiple, albeit small, diamonds, so it will likely cost you more. The Pave setting utilizes the numerous tiny diamonds to create the illusion of a diamond-encrusted surface while extremely minute beads of ring metal hold them in place almost on the same level as the setting. It is difficult to make out each individual stone, and due also to the naturally sparkly nature of Asscher cut diamonds, it will appear as though there are more diamonds on your lover’s ring than there really are. Besides, the fancy cut of the stones already make them look bigger than round cut diamonds, so you might not want to fret too much over this.
Does size matter?
Yes, if you want it to have extra boasting appeal; otherwise, no, not really. Asscher cut diamond rings stand out pretty well from a crowd without the help of size. Smaller diamonds have smaller carat weight so they are cheaper than their larger counterparts. Even a single, puny diamond on a ring is enough to warrant attention with its gutsy fire, so why fret over its diminutive size when you can go for quality over quantity? You have Asscher cut diamonds’ high diamond fire quality to thank for that.
Although Asscher cut diamond rings lack the romantic backdrop of marquise cut diamond rings, they are nevertheless beautiful rings in their own right, perfect as engagement rings or other symbols of love and union. After all, their glitter and sparkle is unrivaled by other styles, and choosing rings with the correct setting will enhance those features even more.
If you want rings that are as quick and sure to capture attention as their stones do light, then Asscher cut diamond rings are certainly your best pick. Slip them onto the finger of your beloved and let her beauty shine along with the ring that proves she belongs to you and you to her.