Do you dream of owning a breathtaking diamond in a famous cut, such as the Asscher cut, made famous when Richard Burton purchased a 33.19-carat Asscher-cut diamond for his wife, Elizabeth Taylor? Widely known as the Taylor diamond now, it originally belonged to the Krupp family. The diamonds you buy from Rare Carat offer the same luxurious cut but in smaller sizes that go up to about 12 carats. Skip the search for best deals on diamonds and read on to learn more about what makes the Asscher cut of diamonds one of the most popular.
History of the Asscher Cut
In 1902, Joseph Asscher designed a new cut for precious stones, focusing on the diamond. His design incorporated Art-Deco elements and built on the emerald cut. Featuring 58 facets to ensure maximum sparkle. Asscher used six large, wide-set rows of facets in his octagonal cut – three rows on the top, three on the bottom. The shape let him retain a greater amount of weight from the stone.
The Asscher Brothers Cut Diamond History
Not all Asscher cuts look alike. Variation exists in the cut’s overall shape, depending on the size of the diamond. Although you probably won’t wear one the size that Joseph and his brother, Abraham, cut in 1907, you can see their work anytime King Charles makes a formal state appearance.
In that year, King VII had them cut a 3,105-carat rough diamond into two polished diamonds. The 530.20-carat Cullinan I tops the royal scepter, while the 317.4-carat Cullinan II nestles in the British state crown. Although both diamonds come from the same original stone, the scepter diamond takes a pear shape, while the crown’s diamond takes a cushion shape.
The Asscher Family Creates Another Artistic Cut
For 97 years, brides throughout the world requested diamonds in the Asscher cut. Its unique shape best shows off the brilliance of a diamond. In 1999, on a visit to GIA International Gemological Symposium, Joseph’s grandson, Edward Asscher, recognized how beloved the cut had become in the United States. Upon returning to the Netherlands, he added a modern artistic twist to his granddad’s design.
Edward Asscher designed the Royal Asscher cut, which adds 16 facets to the original. The 74 facets enable a Royal Asscher cut diamond to better catch the light. To the bottom of the stone, he added two narrow rows, each featuring eight facets.
Obtaining an Asscher Cut Diamond
Many jewelers use the original Asscher cut in creating loose diamonds for sale or in crafting a bespoke jewelry piece. However, Edward obtained an international patent for his Royal Asscher cut, so you can only purchase a Royal Asscher cut diamond cut at the Royal Asscher Company. When you buy from Rare Carat, you shop more than 40 diamond suppliers for an Asscher-cut stone.
While the two cuts prove popular on many pieces of jewelry, rings have become the typical application of the Asscher cut. Because it catches the light so well, jewelry makers use it in designs for:
- Anniversary rings
- Engagement rings
- Wedding rings.
The similar radiant cut, developed in 1977 by Henry Grossbard, combines the round brilliant cut with the emerald cut. This 70-facet cut fully displays the diamond’s shimmer, leading it to become one of the most frequently used diamond cuts for engagement and wedding rings. It and the princess cut use a square shape to best expose the diamond’s characteristics. If you can’t locate an Asscher cut that suits your needs, try a radiant-cut diamond.
Natural or Lab-Grown Diamonds?
When shopping for a diamond through Rare Carat, note that you have choices for natural diamonds and lab-grown diamonds. A lab-created diamond differs from cubic zirconia (CZ). The term cubic zirconia refers to a faux diamond created from zirconium dioxide (ZrO2), while a lab-grown diamond refers to a real diamond formed from carbon in a laboratory setting. A lab-created diamond looks and reacts to light just like a natural diamond but requires no mining to reach.
Buy from Rare Carat
You won’t find any CZs at Rare Carat. It only features diamonds. You can find natural and lab-grown diamonds to buy from Rare Carat.
Enjoy the highest quality customer service in the diamond industry from Rare Carat. The online platform earned 4.9 stars out of a possible five stars from Trustpilot and Google Business. When you search for best deals on diamonds, start at Rare Carat. Visit its blog to learn more about diamonds, then shop the store to own a sophisticated Asscher cut or radiant cut natural or lab-grown diamond.