Ashoka Cut Lab Grown Diamond
Introduction
For jewelry lovers searching for something beyond traditional diamond shapes, the Ashoka Cut Lab Grown Diamond offers a distinctive combination of elongated elegance, sophisticated faceting, and impressive brilliance.
The Ashoka style is recognized for its elongated cushion-inspired silhouette, softly rounded corners, and intricate faceting. The original proprietary ASHOKA® cut developed by William Goldberg features 62 facets and was introduced in 1999.
At Bespoke Carat, Ashoka-inspired and modified Ashoka-style lab grown diamonds bring this distinctive aesthetic into contemporary custom jewelry, offering unique shapes and carefully designed faceting for engagement rings and bespoke jewelry.
What Is an Ashoka Cut Lab Grown Diamond?
An Ashoka Cut Lab Grown Diamond refers to a lab grown diamond designed with an elongated, sophisticated silhouette and faceting inspired by the distinctive Ashoka style.
The original ASHOKA® diamond is an elongated cushion-shaped design with rounded corners and a proprietary 62-facet arrangement. Its unusual combination of shape and faceting gives it a look that sits between classic cushion elegance and modern geometric sophistication.
For lab grown jewelry, similar design concepts can be created using modified Ashoka-style cuts, including elongated cushion and other elongated geometric variations.
At Bespoke Carat, examples include Cushion Modified Ashoka and Elongated Hexagon Ashoka-style lab grown diamonds.
The Story Behind the Ashoka Diamond
The Ashoka name has a fascinating connection to diamond history and India.
The legendary original Ashoka diamond was a 41.37-carat D Flawless diamond associated with the historic Golconda diamond tradition. William Goldberg became fascinated by the stone and spent years researching and developing a modern cut inspired by its distinctive beauty.
In 1999, William Goldberg introduced the proprietary ASHOKA® cut. The modern design was developed with a distinctive elongated shape, rounded corners, and a specialized facet arrangement intended to create exceptional brilliance.
This history has helped make the Ashoka style recognizable among collectors and jewelry enthusiasts looking for something different from conventional diamond cuts.
What Makes the Ashoka Style Different?
The appeal of an Ashoka-style diamond comes from the combination of shape, proportions, and faceting.
Elongated Silhouette
The elongated outline creates a sophisticated appearance and provides strong visual presence when used as a center stone.
Rounded Corners
Unlike sharply rectangular cuts, the softened corners create a smoother and more elegant outline.
Intricate Faceting
The original ASHOKA® cut is known for its 62-facet arrangement. These facets are carefully positioned to interact with light and produce brilliance, fire, and scintillation.
Distinctive Personality
An Ashoka-inspired diamond can offer something between the softness of a cushion and the architectural character of an elongated rectangular design.
This makes it particularly attractive for custom jewelry.
Why Choose an Ashoka Cut Lab Grown Diamond?
1. A Unique Alternative to Traditional Shapes
If round, oval, pear, and standard cushion diamonds feel too familiar, an Ashoka-inspired cut provides a more distinctive alternative.
Its unusual proportions can immediately give an engagement ring a custom-designed appearance.
2. Elegant Elongated Appearance
The elongated shape creates a graceful visual effect and can provide impressive finger coverage when used as a ring center.
The original ASHOKA® design is specifically known for its elongated cushion silhouette and visual spread.
3. Sophisticated Faceting
The carefully arranged facets create a more complex visual pattern than a simple traditional cushion.
This can produce beautiful flashes of light as the diamond moves.
4. Excellent for Custom Jewelry
Ashoka-inspired lab grown diamonds are especially suitable for custom designs because their unusual geometry gives designers more creative opportunities.
They can become the centerpiece of:
- Custom engagement rings
- Three-stone rings
- Halo rings
- Statement rings
- Pendants
- Earrings
- Bespoke fine jewelry
Ashoka Cut vs. Cushion Cut
|
Feature |
Ashoka-Style Cut |
Traditional Cushion |
|
Shape |
Elongated and sophisticated |
Square or rectangular |
|
Corners |
Softly rounded |
Rounded |
|
Faceting |
Specialized/modified faceting |
Varies by cushion style |
|
Appearance |
Modern and distinctive |
Classic and romantic |
|
Design Style |
Bespoke and contemporary |
Traditional to modern |
Ashoka Cut vs. Emerald Cut
Ashoka-inspired diamonds can also appeal to people who like the elongated elegance of an emerald cut but want more visual complexity.
An emerald cut typically emphasizes long, broad step facets and a hall-of-mirrors effect, while Ashoka-style designs use more complex faceting intended to create a lively pattern of brilliance.
The original ASHOKA® design is specifically described as having 62 uniquely arranged facets designed for brilliance, fire, and scintillation.
If you want an elongated diamond with a more dynamic sparkle pattern, an Ashoka-inspired style can be an interesting alternative.
Understanding Ashoka-Style Faceting
Faceting is one of the most important elements of an Ashoka-inspired diamond.
The facets determine how incoming light travels through the stone and returns toward the viewer.
Well-executed faceting can create:
- Bright flashes
- Fire
- Scintillation
- Visual depth
- Contrast
- Attractive facet patterns
The original ASHOKA® design is recognized for its 62-facet configuration.
For modified Ashoka-style lab grown diamonds, the exact facet arrangement can vary according to the particular design.
This is why the visual appearance of the individual diamond should always be considered rather than relying only on its name or shape.
The 4Cs of an Ashoka Cut Lab Grown Diamond
1. Cut
Cut quality influences how the diamond interacts with light.
For an Ashoka-inspired diamond, examine:
- Facet arrangement
- Symmetry
- Polish
- Proportions
- Depth
- Table
- Light performance
- Overall shape
A well-balanced stone should have an attractive outline and lively appearance.
2. Color
Color describes the amount of body color visible in a diamond.
Your preferred color grade depends on your desired appearance and jewelry metal.
For example:
White gold or platinum:
Higher color grades can create a crisp, bright appearance.
Yellow gold:
Slightly warmer color grades can complement the metal beautifully.
Rose gold:
A warmer diamond can create a soft and romantic combination.
The best choice depends on the complete jewelry design.
3. Clarity
Clarity refers to internal inclusions and surface blemishes.
With a distinctive faceted design, clarity should be evaluated based on the actual appearance of the diamond.
Instead of automatically choosing the highest clarity grade, consider whether the diamond appears clean to the eye and whether inclusions affect its brilliance or transparency.
4. Carat Weight
Carat weight measures the diamond's weight, not its exact face-up dimensions.
Because Ashoka-inspired diamonds can have elongated proportions, two diamonds with the same carat weight may look different depending on their length, width, and depth.
Ashoka Cut Lab Grown Diamond for Engagement Rings
An Ashoka-inspired lab grown diamond can create an unforgettable engagement ring.
Its elongated silhouette gives the ring a strong presence, while its distinctive faceting adds visual interest.
Popular design options include:
Solitaire
A solitaire setting allows the unusual center stone to remain the main attraction.
Halo
A diamond halo can emphasize the outline of the center stone and add additional sparkle.
Three-Stone
An Ashoka-inspired center can be paired with:
- Trapezoid diamonds
- Baguettes
- Half moons
- Pear diamonds
- Round diamonds
Hidden Halo
Small diamonds underneath the center can provide additional sparkle while maintaining a clean top view.
Bezel
A bezel setting can create a sleek, contemporary appearance and frame the elongated silhouette beautifully.
Elongated Hexagon Ashoka-Style Lab Grown Diamond
For those seeking something even more distinctive, an Elongated Hexagon Ashoka-style Lab Grown Diamond offers a bold geometric alternative.
Bespoke Carat currently features an elongated hexagon Ashoka-style lab grown diamond designed with an elongated silhouette and Ashoka-inspired faceting.
This type of design can be particularly attractive for:
- Contemporary engagement rings
- Statement rings
- Geometric jewelry
- Modern pendants
- Bespoke collector-style pieces
Its combination of structured geometry and intricate faceting creates a strong modern aesthetic.
How to Choose the Right Ashoka-Style Lab Grown Diamond
Before selecting your diamond, consider these important factors.
1. Examine the Shape
Look for an outline that is balanced, symmetrical, and visually pleasing.
2. Check the Proportions
Length-to-width ratio can significantly influence the personality of the stone.
3. Evaluate the Faceting
Look for attractive light return and a lively facet pattern.
4. Consider Color
Choose a color grade that works with your preferred jewelry metal.
5. Review Clarity
Focus on the diamond's actual appearance rather than choosing the highest clarity grade automatically.
6. Compare Measurements
Two diamonds with the same carat weight can have different face-up dimensions.
7. Think About the Setting
Choose a setting that complements the unusual shape rather than hiding its character.
8. Consider the Complete Design
The center stone, side stones, metal, setting, and proportions should work together as one cohesive design.
Why Choose an Ashoka-Style Lab Grown Diamond from Bespoke Carat?
At Bespoke Carat, the focus is on distinctive diamonds for personalized jewelry designs.
The current Ashoka-inspired collection includes unique options such as Cushion Modified Ashoka and Elongated Hexagon Ashoka lab grown diamonds.
These designs provide an opportunity to move beyond conventional diamond shapes and create jewelry with a more individual character.
Whether you're designing:
- An engagement ring
- A statement ring
- A three-stone ring
- A pendant
- Earrings
- A custom jewelry piece
an Ashoka-inspired lab grown diamond can provide a striking foundation.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What is an Ashoka Cut Lab Grown Diamond?
An Ashoka-style lab grown diamond is a laboratory-grown diamond featuring an elongated, cushion-inspired shape and specialized faceting inspired by the distinctive Ashoka aesthetic.
2. How many facets does the original Ashoka cut have?
The proprietary ASHOKA cut is known for its 62 facets.
3. Is an Ashoka-inspired diamond good for an engagement ring?
Yes. Its elongated silhouette and distinctive faceting make it an excellent choice for someone looking for a unique alternative to traditional engagement-ring shapes.
4. Can an Ashoka-style lab grown diamond be used with side stones?
Absolutely. Trapezoids, half moons, baguettes, pears, and round diamonds can all create attractive combinations with an elongated Ashoka-inspired center.
5. Can Ashoka-inspired diamonds be set in yellow gold?
Yes. Yellow gold can create a beautiful contrast with a bright lab grown diamond and works particularly well for vintage-inspired and contemporary custom designs.
6. What should I look for when buying an Ashoka-style lab grown diamond?
Pay attention to shape, symmetry, proportions, faceting, color, clarity, carat weight, measurements, polish, and overall light performance.
7. Are Ashoka-style lab grown diamonds available in different shapes?
Yes. Modified Ashoka-inspired designs can take different forms. Bespoke Carat currently offers examples including Cushion Modified Ashoka and Elongated Hexagon Ashoka lab grown diamonds.
8. Why choose an Ashoka-inspired lab grown diamond?
It is an excellent option for anyone seeking an unusual combination of elongated elegance, distinctive faceting, modern design, and custom-jewelry versatility.
