Tips for Buying An Asscher Cut Diamond

Developed in 1902 by Joseph Asscher, the Asscher cut diamond is an eye-catching fancy shape. Asscher cut diamonds are easily recognizable for their distinctive “X” shape and cropped corners. These diamonds are sometimes confused with emerald cut diamonds because they both feature step-cut facets. A step-cut diamond is a diamond that has facets running parallel to the girdle. This creates a hypnotic “hall of mirrors” effect. An Asscher cut diamond typically has 58 facets.

The Asscher cut diamond rose to popularity in the 1920s, making it a perfect center stone for vintage-inspired engagement rings or classic diamond earrings.

When choosing an Asscher cut diamond, it’s important to consider the 4 Cs to get a beautiful, high-quality one.

What color grade should I get for an Asscher cut diamond?

Asscher cut diamonds have a large open table. This means that any color the diamond has will be easily visible. We recommend that you don’t go any lower than G for your Asscher diamond if you prefer a diamond that appears completely colorless.

Browse Our Inventory of G-Color Asscher Diamonds

What clarity grade should I get for an Asscher cut diamond?

The large open table of an Asscher cut diamond also means that any inclusions will be easily noticeable. Asscher diamonds also have less sparkle than other diamonds, and sparkle can help hide inclusions. Select an Asscher cut diamond with a VS2 clarity grade or higher. However, a larger diamond will need an even higher clarity grade since inclusions will be more obvious on a larger stone.

However, simply knowing the clarity grade is not always enough to know the diamond’s individual quality. All of our diamonds are available to view in HD imagery so that you can make a more informed decision. 

What cut grade should I get for an Asscher cut diamond?

Cut is important for a diamond’s brilliance and sparkle. To get the most sparkle possible out of your Asscher diamond, try to get the best cut grade within your budget. A diamond in Ritani’s inventory with a Very Good cut grade will ensure a satisfactory amount of sparkle.

Symmetry is also important to consider for an Asscher cut diamond. While the GIA doesn’t assign a cut grade to Asscher cut diamonds (it only assigns a cut grade for round brilliant diamonds), it does assign a symmetry grade. Symmetry determines the shape and alignment of a diamond’s facets. A diamond with better symmetry will also have more sparkle. Because imperfections are easily noticeable in an Asscher cut diamond, opt for Very Good or Excellent symmetry. Another factor that influences sparkle is polish. For the most sparkle, choose a diamond with an ideal or excellent polish grade.

You should also look into the length-to-width ratio of the diamond you are considering purchasing. A length to width ratio of 1.00 – 1.03 is excellent for an asscher cut diamond. This ratio will produce a square shaped diamond. An asscher cut diamond with a 1.40 – 1.50 length-to-width ratio will have a more rectangular shape.

What carat weight should I get for an Asscher cut diamond?

The carat of your diamond is all about personal preference and what your budget allows. In case you need a refresher, carat indicates the weight of the diamond.

Keep in mind that Asscher cut diamonds tend to look smaller face-up than other diamond shapes of the same carat weight, so you may want to opt for a larger carat size. This is because a lot of their weight is held below the girdle (the bottom half of the diamond). Asscher cut diamonds also have a smaller surface area than other diamond shapes.

Are Asscher cut diamonds more expensive?

We put together a chart of diamonds in Ritani’s inventory of similar carat weights (1 – 1.5-carat diamonds). This data includes diamonds of all available clarity and color values. Keep in mind that diamond prices can also be affected by other factors like polish, table percentage, depth percentage, and girdle thickness. Diamond prices also change with demand, similar to precious metals. This chart is based on Ritani’s inventory as of May 2019.

Asscher cut diamonds can be more expensive than other diamond shapes – but they aren’t necessarily the most expensive. Round brilliant-cut diamonds are typically the most expensive due to their popularity and extreme sparkle. They’re also the most expensive because cutting a round diamond creates the most raw diamond waste.

Because Asscher cut diamonds appear smaller in size than other diamond shapes of the same carat weight, you may want to purchase a larger diamond, which will be more costly. And because Asscher cut diamonds don’t conceal flaws or color as well as other diamond shapes, you’ll need to spend a little more on a better clarity and color grade.

Do Asscher cut diamonds sparkle? 

If you’re looking for a super sparkly diamond, an Asscher cut diamond probably isn’t the right choice for you. Asscher cut diamonds are cut with a focus on clarity rather than sparkle. They give off some sparkle, but it isn’t as intense as a brilliant-cut diamond. Even though Asscher cut diamonds don’t give off as much sparkle as other diamond shapes, they are still incredibly glamorous and stunning. To add more sparkle to your Asscher-cut engagement ring, try setting it in a halo setting.

Halo engagement rings feature a tiny circle of diamonds surrounding your center stone, creating extra sparkle and the illusion of a larger diamond.

Asscher cut diamonds make for elegant engagement rings, eternity bands, pendants, and earrings. If you have any questions along the way trying to choose the right Asscher cut diamond, contact customer service at 1-888-9RITANI and we’ll be happy to help.