What is Special about the Asscher Cut?

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The gemstone world is filled with terms that are rarely used anywhere else. One such term is the Asscher cut, which most of us don’t recognize as anything significant unless we are gem connoisseurs or just very knowledgeable. The Asscher cut is a Diamond cut that has a very long history behind it, and is touted as one of the most royal and timeless cuts around. It’s special, and for good reason.

Asscher Cut Definition

The Asscher cut is a rounded square, set with large step-cut facets. If you’ve ever seen an Emerald cut, then you’ve seen something very similar. Though the Emerald cut is a lower quality derivative of the Asscher cut. The Asscher cut is in fact the first ever patented signature cut for stones. Combining its large facets with a high crown and deep pavilion, the Asscher cut aims to highlight and enhance the most beautiful and desirable aspects of a diamond. It actually has fifty seven facets, an astounding number that aims to produce the enhancement of the best diamond qualities. Despite its age it has been one of the most desired and respected cuts around the world for over a century. Needless to say, it’s a classic.

Asscher Cut History

The Asscher cut began with the Royal Asscher Diamond Company, one of the most prestigious and well-respected diamond houses in the history of the world. Established by a father and son who were both experts in diamonds in 1857, the duo created and patented the Asscher cut, making it the first signature patented cut in the world. This patent was made official in 1902, and they were the only ones allowed to legally create the cut until some serious circumstances afflicted them in World War Two. During the second World War, the Nazi regime destroyed most of what the Asscher family had built, and confiscated many of their diamonds as well. The family themselves barely survived, a testament to how close the world came to losing the Asscher cut forever.

For this reason, there is a certain historical quality to the Asscher cut. Not only was it the very first patented signature cut, but it was very nearly destroyed over fifty years ago. That a cut could have so much history and renown behind it makes it one of the most desirable cuts not only in terms of quality, but simple legacy as well. There is something to be said for a legendary practice to survive the throes of the world by the skin of its teeth.

Thankfully, the near loss of the Asscher cut will never happen again. In 2001, the Asscher family redesigned the Asscher cut and patented it once again, but this time they made sure it could be used on an international level by other diamond cutters. Now trademarked and design patented, the Asscher cut is not restricted only to the Asscher family, and it will never again run the risk of being lost to history due to the strife of humanity’s actions.