Diamond buyers often compare Asscher cut and cushion cut diamonds because their outlines look similar. However, these two cuts are completely different in the arrangement of their facets which is one of the main factors determining diamond sparkle. Let’s take a look at their characteristics and see which tends to be more sparkly.
What is an Asscher Cut?
The Asscher cut was first produced by Royal Asscher diamond company in 1902. This diamond cut is a variation of the emerald cut. The difference is that the Asscher cut has larger step facets, higher crown and smaller table. This combination allows producing more brilliance than the emerald cut.
Classic Asscher cut diamonds have a square shape with a length to width ratio of 1.00 and cropped corners. However, they often come in slightly rectangular shapes as well.
Both the Asscher and emerald cut belong to “step cut” group. Diamonds in this category have linear facets parallel to the girdle.
The Asscher cut peaked in popularity during the Art Deco period in the 1920s. A hundred years later after the first wave of popularity, the shape began to make a comeback.
What is a Cushion Cut?
The cushion cut diamonds have a square or rectangular shape with rounded corners. Being one of the most popular diamond shapes in history, it’s a classic cut that has been around for more than 200 years. The cushion cut was the de facto diamond shape until the early 20th century.
This cut belongs to the “brilliant cut” group and has a number of variations, which differ in the number of facets, their arrangement and shape.
Because of these variations, some cushion cut diamonds exhibit more intense sparkle and look a bit different than other cushion diamonds. In general, cushions have less brilliance than round diamonds, however, they often have a better fire, which makes them so attractive for buyers.
Asscher Cut vs Cushion Cut Diamonds: Which Sparkle More?
Since the cushion cut belongs to the “brilliant cut” group it sparkles more than the Asscher cut. However, Asscher was not created with the goal to maximize the sparkle. It was developed to make diamonds look clear.
It is worth mentioning that not all cushion cut diamonds have the same level of brilliance. The classic cushion cut stones exhibit less sparkle than the “crushed ice” variation. The facets of crushed ice cushion cut are arranged and shaped in a way that makes them look more sparkly.
How the Difference in Sparkle Affect the Clarity
The difference in sparkle and brilliance between the Asscher and cushion cuts leads to differences in the visibility of flaws in them.
Since the cushion cut diamonds have more brilliance, their inclusions are less visible than those in Asscher cut diamonds of the same clarity grade.
That’s why if you are buying an Asscher cut diamond, you will have to pay more attention to the size and location of its inclusions.
Asscher Cut vs Cushion Cut Diamonds: The Impact of Sparkle on Colour
Diamond sparkle definitely affects its colour. For example, if you compare two diamonds that have visible yellowish tints, the more sparkly diamond will look less coloured as the additional sparkle makes the tints less noticeable.
Since cushion cut diamonds are more sparkly, they have an advantage over Asscher cut stones, which tend to show more tints. In comparison, cushion cut stones will look much better, as their additional brilliance and sparkle will soften the visible colouration.
