Antique Art Deco 1.66 Asscher Cut diamond engagement ring

An Art Deco engagement ring with a jaw-dropping 1.66 carat Asscher cut diamond framed by straight baguettes. The Asscher cut is named for its inventor, Dutch diamond cutter Joseph Asscher. Asscher was the grandson of Joseph Isaac Asscher, the patriarch of a family of superbly talented diamond cutters and polishers and founder of The Asscher Diamond Company. The family's namesake cut is an elaboration (and elevation, in my opinion!) of the emerald cut, with docked corners to allow more light to enter the diamond. Asscher's posses a signature "X" or windmill-shape that can be viewed when looking straight into the diamond, the result of the pavilion facets that follow the corner lines. The Asscher cut cannot hide flaws very well and so the best stones are VS2 or better clarity, as is this one. Asscher cuts have  a unique play of light due to their wide, horizontal facets, and high crown. The diamond draws you inward with an optical "hall of mirrors" effect and crackles with incredible brilliance. The Asscher really is an exception expression of the gemstone, drawing out best qualities of a diamond in an elegant cut. Asscher cuts reached peak popularity during the Art Deco Era and this ring dates to that time period. This ring is all original and mounted in platinum, with straight baguettes tucked into the shoulders. This one gives me pause.

Note: The Asscher Diamond Company was one of many Jewish-founded and operated diamond companies in Amsterdam in the early 1900s, employing over 500 diamond polishers at the peak of operations before WWII. The company was robbed, destroyed and most of the Asscher family and the men and women employed by them were murdered during the Holocaust. The surviving family members chose to return to Amsterdam after the war and rebuild the company, which operates today under the sixth generation of Asschers. 

This ring comes with a jewelry appraisal for insurance/replacement as well as a GIA Diamond Report. View the report here

Measurements: Size 6 1/2 US, 3.9 grams. This ring may be sized in the 4 1/2-8 1/2 US range. 
Diamond details: (1) Square Emerald Cut, 1.66 carat VS2/F, 7.19 x 7.05 x 3.94 GIA Certified #2225991054 and (2) 4 x 2mm straight baguette diamonds, .30 CTW, VS2/F
Era: 1920s-1930s
Markings: Obscured maker's mark and partial fineness mark (platinum)

NOTE: If you select "Size for me, please!" kindly indicate your preferred ring size at check out in the "Add a note to your order" box. Please allow 1 week for sizing to be completed.