Collection: Asscher Cut Engagement Rings

Both are step cuts with the same parallel facet structure and hall-of-mirrors light behavior. The difference is the outline: emerald cuts are rectangular, Asscher cuts are square with cropped corners that give them an octagonal appearance. Asscher cuts also tend to have a higher crown and more depth, which intensifies the hall-of-mirrors effect. The choice between them is primarily about whether you prefer a square or rectangular shape on the finger.

VS2 is the practical minimum for an eye-clean Asscher. The large open facets make inclusions more visible than in brilliant cuts, so clarity matters more here than in rounds or ovals. Location of inclusions within the stone is equally important: an inclusion near the edge may be hidden under a prong, while the same inclusion near the center of the table will be obvious. Review the GIA plot and compare it to the actual stone before purchasing.

Yes. The original 1902 Asscher cut has 58 facets, a high crown, a small table, and an open culet. The modern Royal Asscher cut, redesigned in 2001, has 74 facets and produces more brilliance and symmetry. Antique original Asschers are rarer and appear primarily in estate pieces. Both produce the hall-of-mirrors effect, but the original has more depth and visual intensity, while the modern version is brighter and more uniform.

Solitaire settings showcase the geometric outline without distraction. Four-prong settings with prongs at the corners of the octagonal outline are the most common configuration. Halo settings add a frame of smaller diamonds that emphasizes the octagonal shape. Art Deco-style settings with milgrain edging and geometric metalwork complement the Asscher's architectural character particularly well. Avoid settings with decorative metalwork that obscures the clean lines of the stone.