Cut — Approximately a century after the Asscher cut was first introduced, Joseph Asscher’s great-grandnephew revamped the design of the original Asscher-cut diamond — increasing the number of step facets from 58 to 74, and calling his new design the Royal Asscher Cut. While shape describes a diamond’s basic outline (round, square, etc.), an Asscher-cut diamond is created from a cutting style, creating the diamond’s large step facets and high crown, which accentuate a diamond’s clarity. The Asscher-cut diamond, similar to its more rectangular cousin the Emerald, has an almost octagonal shape, with three rows on the top, three rows on the bottom.
Clarity — In measuring a diamond’s clarity, diamond experts use a grading scale. The best clarity is VVS1 followed by VVS2, VS1, VS2, SI1, and SI2. Unlike other diamond shapes, such as the round or oval, the Asscher cut has less of a ‘brilliant’ appearance and more of a mirror effect — its appeal comes from its clean and sharp angles. Because of its glassy, smooth top, similar to an emerald cut diamond, Asscher-cut diamonds require a higher grade of clarity to look their very best. Since this cut allows inclusions to be easily seen, VS2 Clarity or higher is recommended for this step cut diamond.
Color — In case you’re new to the 4 C’s, the scale that measures the color in diamonds is actually measuring the absence of color, graded on an alphabetical scale from D to Z, with D being a colorless diamond and Z being yellow. There’s nothing to hide when it comes to these diamonds, so color is another important aspect of this spectacular diamond. We would recommend that you go no lower than an H color rating, as a near-colorless range works better with the bold facets.
Carat — Although due to their history and the precision it takes to cut this diamond, it may make it seem more expensive than others, it isn’t! Good news for you, if you have your eye on this stunning diamond, as they have a relatively low price per carat. And if you’re stuck between an Asscher cut and Emerald cut, Asscher-cut diamonds tend to offer more sparkle, while Emerald diamonds often appear larger. It always comes down to personal preference and what style she wants, we are here to give you the facts!