An Asscher cut diamond is actually a "square emerald cut" and therefore it will be described as such on the more recognized diamond grading reports like those issued by the GIA and AGS gemological laboratories. However the pet name in the industry for the shape and facet structure is "Asscher Cut".

The Asscher cut diamond (pictured above, left) was developed in the early 1900's and is believed to be the predecessor of the modern emerald cut diamond. Unlike a traditional emerald cut diamond, the modern Asscher cut features dramatic cut corners and larger step facets which contribute to the pattern of concentric squares that appear in the center of the table facet as can be seen in the second picture. At present there is not a defined set of "ideal proportions" for an Asscher cut diamond, however the total depth of the diamond needs to be deeper than is necessary for a traditional emerald cut diamond in order for the concentric squares to be evenly spaced and properly aligned as is visible in the second photograph. In our experience, the total depth of a properly cut Asscher will fall somewhere between 67 - 71% with the table facet often being a little smaller.