In 1902 the Dutch diamond cutter Joseph Asscher developed the cut that would bear his name into the present. The square, step cut, design had been around for ages but the modifications Asscher implemented (a few more steps on the pavilion and a diagonal cross blunting the corners of the square which are exaggerated in the diagram above) made the cut into a design that could be patented. The shape allows for great weight retention when the rough has a square outline.

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