An Asscher cut diamond is a square-shaped step-cut diamond with cropped corners and a distinctive X-shaped facet pattern when viewed from above.

Unlike brilliant cuts, Asscher cuts are designed for clarity and symmetry rather than intense sparkle. They typically feature large, open facets that create dramatic flashes of light and a glassy, hall-of-mirrors effect.

Key characteristics include:

• Square shape with cropped corners
  
• Step-cut faceting
  
• High clarity appearance
  
• Distinct geometric symmetry
  
• Vintage Art Deco design aesthetic
  

Because Asscher cuts emphasise clarity, inclusions are often more visible compared to brilliant cuts, making diamond quality especially important when selecting a stone.

Because Asscher cuts have large open facets, inclusions are often easier to see than in brilliant-cut diamonds. For the best appearance, many buyers choose VS2 clarity or higher.

The Asscher cut is prized for its geometric precision. Excellent symmetry helps create the crisp hall-of-mirrors effect that makes this shape so distinctive.

Depth and table percentages influence how much light is reflected and how large the diamond appears face-up. Well-balanced proportions typically produce the most attractive appearance.

Most Asscher cut diamonds are square, with a length-to-width ratio close to 1.00. Slightly rectangular stones are available but are less common.

Unique Vintage Appeal

Asscher cuts are strongly associated with the Art Deco era, making them a standout choice for buyers looking for something less conventional than brilliant cuts.

Striking Clarity & Structure

The step-cut design highlights clarity and creates a clean, architectural look that feels refined and sophisticated.

Distinct Hall of Mirrors Effect

Instead of intense sparkle, Asscher cuts produce bold flashes and depth, giving the diamond a unique visual identity.

Ideal for Bespoke Designs

Asscher cuts work particularly well in custom settings where symmetry and geometry are key design features.

Asscher and cushion cuts are often compared because both offer square silhouettes, but their appearance is very different.

Cushion cut diamonds have rounded corners and brilliant faceting, producing soft sparkle and a romantic appearance.

Asscher cut diamonds, on the other hand, feature sharp symmetry and step-cut facets, creating a more structured, vintage, and geometric look with less sparkle but more depth and contrast.

Both are elegant choices — the key difference is whether you prefer soft brilliance (cushion) or architectural clarity and symmetry (Asscher).

The Asscher cut was created in 1902 by the Asscher brothers in Amsterdam, renowned diamond cutters who later played a major role in shaping modern diamond cutting standards.

The design became especially popular during the Art Deco period of the 1920s and 1930s, when geometric design and bold symmetry were highly influential in architecture and jewellery.

After declining in popularity for several decades, the Asscher cut experienced a revival in the early 2000s, driven by renewed interest in vintage-inspired diamond shapes.

Today, it remains a niche but highly desirable choice for buyers seeking something unique and historically rich.