I am always one to find interest in unusual jewels- there is something about the art behind jewellery that fascinates me and I am always interested in different, unique designs. Today we have the lovely Lita Asscher of  Royal Asscher . Royal Asscher is available in Australia and so it is our pleasure to welcome Lita to Polka Dot Wisdom to share a little behind her brand and her creations!

Would you please introduce yourself to us.

I am Lita Asscher, President of Royal Asscher of American and sixth generation of the Asscher family. Time flies when you are having fun. I feel honored to have been born into a family and work for a company with such an amazing legacy. Not only does Royal Asscher have a unique history but as a company, we are also respected for our ethical behavior, which has remained consistent since the company was created. This is very important to me as is continuing the legacy that my great great grandfather began and that generations after him, including my father, have maintained. I only hope that I can continue this and make my family proud.

Royal Asscher has quite a history. Would you briefly describe it for us?

Royal Asscher began as I.J. Asscher Diamond Company in 1854. Since then my family’s impact on the diamond industry has been nothing short of impressive. In 1980, the company was granted the “Royal” title by Queen Juliana of the Netherlands thereby becoming Royal Asscher Diamond Company. Royal Asscher has had an indelible influence on the diamond industry beginning with the cleaving of the Excelsior diamond in 1902. In 1907, Joseph Asscher was commissioned by the King to cleave the Cullinan diamond, the largest rough diamond ever found. The two largest stones cut form the Cullinan diamond can be found in the British Crown Jewels, which the Queen wears at the opening of Parliament.

In 2011, as a tribute to our long-standing presence in the diamond industry and reputation for ethical behavior, Royal Asscher was once again extended the honor of a “Royal” title for 25 years by the Queen of Holland. Our unique heritage and history has contributed to our excellent reputation in the diamond industry and we hope to continue this legacy.

Asscher Cut Deco ring

For those of us who know nothing about a Royal Title, can you describe what having a Royal Title bestowed on you twice (by Queen Juliana in 1980, and Queen Beatrix in 2011) has meant for your business?

Receiving the Royal title twice has been an incredible honor for our business. Not only has it meant that we have received an honor bestowed unto no other diamond house in the world, but it reaffirms my family’s unblemished and reputable presence in the diamond industry for so many years. It has also confirmed to us that we have taken the right steps throughout our history and have rightly so made ethical and philanthropic behavior a priority.

Could you describe to us your signature diamond – the Royal Asscher Cut? How is this different from a standard emerald cut?

In 2001, my uncle, Joop, and father, Edward Asscher, introduced the Royal Asscher Cut, a superior and more beautiful 21st century successor to the original Asscher cut. As our signature diamond, the Royal Asscher Cut, has 16 more facets than the square-emerald Asscher, 74 in total. Our diamonds and jewelry are made utilizing only the finest craftsmanship. Each Royal Asscher cut diamond is chosen from the top 5% of rough diamonds in terms of quality and there are only 75 diamond cutters in the world that can cut a Royal Asscher cut to our exact specifications. Protected by a worldwide patent, our diamonds are perfectly symmetrical and have excellent brilliance; you know that you are buying a diamond of not only rare, unique beauty but also of unsurpassable quality when you purchase a Royal Asscher cut. Further, our jewelry collections combine innovation and craftsmanship and represent the hottest trends of the moment. Not only do we make beautiful jewelry that people want to wear, but we also incorporate an ethical and philanthropic component whereby part of the proceeds from the sale of our Stars of Africa and Shining Stars collections benefit communities in Africa.

Royal Asscher Cut ring with diamond bullets

In 2008 you introduced a fashion jewellery range  – the Rocks and Jewels Royal Asscher collection. Why was this a departure from your normal jewellery designs? What is different about this range?

Initially, Royal Asscher focused solely on cutting diamonds, but over the years, as times have changed and consequently also the market, we have chosen to expand the Royal Asscher cut collection to include sapphires, specifically blue, pink and yellow sapphires. In 2009, we introduced our beautiful Royal Asscher cut sapphire collection called Rocks & Jewels. In addition to the stunning designs in that collection, all of the rings in our bridal collection can be mounted with sapphires.

Spellbound Blue Sapphire Ring

Where do you source your diamonds from?

Our diamonds are sourced from Russia. Our sapphires are sourced from Sri Lanka.

Are your diamonds conflict free?

100%. Our company is renowned for its ethical record. Our family has vocally campaigned for an ethically operating diamond and gemstone industry. My father, Edward Asscher, was one of the forefathers of the Kimberley Process and our family strongly supports the continued strengthening of the Kimberley Process. Royal Asscher refuses to work with conflict diamonds and only sources diamonds from nations that are fully compliant with the Kimberley Process.

As a family and company, we have a strong collective social conscience and an inherited love of the undeniable beauty of diamonds. We consider it to be of paramount importance that diamonds not only bring happiness to the wearer, but to everyone involved in the diamond supply chain.

Can you describe your Stars of Africa project to us?

I became involved in this cause following a trip to Sierra Leone. It was the year the movie Blood Diamonds came out, and even though the film was based on a war that happened there 20 years before, I wanted to see the country myself and see what we as a diamond industry could still do to help this country recover. I always say: it might not have been your fault, but it does not mean you can’t help. What I personally witnessed there inspired me to promote the cause of giving back to communities in diamond-rich countries, raise awareness of what the diamond industry can do to help and help raise funds to support this cause. It’s no secret that my family considers ethical and social responsibility to be extremely important. So in 2008, Royal Asscher launched the Stars of Africa initiative, a philanthropic initiative which aims to improve infrastructure in Africa by generating funding for healthcare, education and self-sufficiency programs. The project is named after the 3,105 carat Cullinan or Star of Africa diamond. It is my family’s firm belief that with support, attention and investment, African society can be rebuilt.

The floating diamond part came from my love affair with snow globes. It’s always so mesmerizing, I can keep staring at them, and as I have noticed, many with me. It is such a beautiful concept; it keeps you looking at it all day.

Royal Asscher collaborates with the Diamond Empowerment Fund, D.E.F., as the beneficiary for the Stars of Africa initiative. The Diamond Empowerment Fund is a non-profit international organization founded by Russell Simmons along with others in the diamond and jewelry industries who are committed to the empowerment of Africa. D.E.F.’s mission is to raise money to support education initiatives that develop and empower economically disadvantaged people in African nations where diamonds are a natural resource. Royal Asscher has guaranteed a minimum donation of $50,000 per year to support the D.E.F. Scholars Program at the African Leadership Academy. The Academy was founded with the belief that ethical leadership is the key to transforming the African continent by developing, connecting and supporting its future leaders.

Stars of Africa ring

What is the design process for a new piece? Do you start with the diamond or gems, and then design from there, or do you design and then source the gems?

It’s all about what inspires us! Our creative process is one of the most thrilling parts of what we do. Starting from concept generation, establishing narratives, explorations, lots of sketching, model making and experimentation, to eventually making the final jewels that take your breath away. I love working with Reena Ahluwalia, she is the brilliant designer of both our Stars of Africa and Shining Stars collections.

What is/are your favourite piece/pieces in the collection?

I absolutely adore our floating diamond pieces, especially our new ceramic shining stars rings not only because they are beautiful but also because they support a good cause that is dear to my heart. That being said, I will always have a soft spot for the first Royal Asscher cut necklace I designed because it combines and features my family’s signature cut with my passion for design at the earliest stages. It is the piece that inspired what was yet to come and which I still wear proudly.

Stars of Africa Earrings

You have retail outlets in Western Australia and NSW. Can Australian couples ask for a bespoke designer piece to be created by you, or do they need to choose from your stock items?

Couples can most certainly ask us to create for them a bespoke designer piece. While we love when a couple falls in love with one of the pieces in our collection, we know that often many are inspired by certain designs and want to create something that is unique and special. We work with excellent designers and jewelers to help keep our clients happy during such a special time in their lives.

What do you love about helping newly engaged couples choose or design the perfect rings? 

Aside from loving the design process in general, I absolutely love personally witnessing a couple in love come together to do something that means so much to the both of them. It’s so interesting to see how they compromise, listen to each other and feel excited for what lies ahead. It really reaffirms my love for what I do to see two people take such pride in the process and choose or design beautiful pieces to begin their happy lives together.

Thank you Lita for so generously sharing your story with us. You can visit the Royal Asscher website for more information.

All images are courtesy of Royal Asscher