Hancocks

1.51ct Antique Asscher Cut Diamond in a Yellow Gold Solitaire Ring

A 1.51ct antique asscher cut diamond set in a yellow gold ring by Hancocks. The D VS1 diamond is bezel set within a finely hand crafted 18ct yellow gold mount with brushed  finish.

£14,500.00
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Information

Maker
Hancocks
Origin
London
Period
Contemporary
Gemstone
1.51ct D VS1 old Asscher cut diamond with GIA certificate.
Setting
18ct yellow gold
Dimensions
Finger size M1/2. Can be adjusted to fit any finger size. Head of Ring: 8.5 x 8mm Band width: 2mm
Weight Description
3.2 grams
REF
129306

Director’s Notes

The Asscher cut diamond was designed by and named after Joseph Asscher, co-founder of the Asscher Diamond Company in Amsterdam whose family had been dealing in diamonds since the mid 19th Century. The cut was created in 1902, in an attempt to best utilise the natural shape of rough octahedral diamond crystals. The cut is often square in shape with deeply truncated corners creating an almost octagonal outline to the stone. The facets are carefully arranged in three rows of straight, step-like faces to the top and bottom of the stone which has a wonderfully elegant and clean appearance with a more subtle sparkle than brilliant style cuts. A characteristic high crown and deep pavilion are further hallmarks of this cut and these help to create a wonderful brilliance in the stone. This was the first diamond cut to ever be officially patented and it became increasingly popular during the early 20th century. In particular, the straight lines and geometric form of the cut lent itself beautifully to the aesthetic of the Art Deco period. Just a few years after creating his eponymous diamond cut, Jospeh Asscher would become internationally famous as the man who cut the Cullinan diamond, at that time, the largest diamond in the world. Popular rumour has it that after the first attempt to cleave the diamond in half, Asscher fainted but in fact his family state he simply collapsed with the effort it took to strike a blow hard enough to cleave a diamond that size. Antique asschers particularly stand out from their modern counterparts with much bigger cut corners that enhance the play of light within the steeper facet pattern. The diamond in this ring is a particularly rare and unusual octagonal asscher cut, the added symmetry creating the perfect lines for this geometric gypsy set style setting.

About The Maker

Hancocks

Within the archives of the London jewellers Hancocks, there exists the most extraordinary book.  Large, heavy and showing distinct signs of age it is filled with page after page of diary entries documenting almost one hundred and twenty years of not only company history but social history as well.