CollectionsAug 28, 2026
Dolly Parton Would Have Loved This Butterfly Necklace This Buddha Mama butterfly is our Piece of the Week honoring the legend, who embraced the beautiful insect as her symbol.
SourcingMar 03, 2020
Edward Asscher to Retire After 50 Years
Sixth-generation jewelers Lita and Mike Asscher will serve as co-presidents of the Royal Asscher Diamond Company after his departure.
Edward Asscher, center, will retire after 50 years with the Royal Asscher Diamond Company. His daughter Lita Asscher (left) and Mike Asscher (far right) will serve as co-presidents of the family business.
Amsterdam—Edward Asscher will step down as president of the Royal Asscher Diamond Company after fifty years in the family business.
Following his departure, his daughter Lita Asscher and son Mike Asscher will serve as the company’s co-presidents, marking the sixth generation of the Asscher family to run the business.
“Everything he taught us means the world to us. Mike and I will uphold his legacy and pass it on,” said Lita Asscher in a statement announcing her father’s retirement.
“Working alongside my father has been an incredible experience. He has been a mentor, friend, and business partner for over 21 years,” said Mike Asscher.
The new generation has focused on manufacturing fancy diamond cuts and investing in new technology, which led to the company patenting four proprietary diamond cuts.
Edward Asscher joined the business in 1970, apprenticing with his father and uncle, before stepping up as president in 1980.
He worked alongside his brother Joop, who passed away in 2006, for 36 years.
During his time holding the reins, he expanded the company’s international reach and developed strategic partnerships.
The company celebrated its 165th anniversary last June with the launch of a new website and the introduction of a pair of new diamond cuts.
Asscher described his five decades with the company as an “extraordinary journey.”
“Our industry has had its challenges in many aspects, but ethical standards, transparency, innovation, and professionalism have become the norm and will keep the industry as beautiful as the product itself,” he said.
Outside of the family business, Asscher advocated for a more ethical diamond industry and held positions on the boards of charities and industry groups.
Royal Asscher has been a member of the Responsible Jewellery Council since 2017.
He served as president of the World Diamond Council from 2014 to 2016, a role he will take up for another two-year term this June.
He previously was president of the International Diamond Manufacturers Association and the International Diamond Council.
Asscher also branched out in politics, serving as president of the Liberal Party in Amsterdam and as a senator for the Liberal Party in the Dutch parliament from 2007 to 2011.
He was knighted for his social and ethical contributions and named an Officer in the Order of Oranje-Nassau.
Founded in Amsterdam in 1854 by Isaac Joseph Asscher, the company has a storied history, known
Editors' Picks
Sponsored by
as an industry heavyweight and one of the world’s largest diamond polishing companies.
It may be best known for the creation of the original Asscher Cut diamond, the first patented cut diamond, created by Joseph Asscher in 1902.
The company also cut and polished the 997-carat Excelsior diamond and the 3,106-carat Cullinan rough diamond.
The stones are part of Great Britain’s Crown Jewels and Queen Elizabeth’s collection.
It may be best known for the creation of the original Asscher Cut diamond, the first patented cut diamond, created by Joseph Asscher in 1902.
The company also cut and polished the 997-carat Excelsior diamond and the 3,106-carat Cullinan rough diamond.
The stones are part of Great Britain’s Crown Jewels and Queen Elizabeth’s collection.
More on Sourcing
The Latest
IndependentsAug 28, 2026
Day’s Jewelers Honored With 3 Workplace AwardsThe employee-owned jeweler was named a “Best Place to Work” in Maine, New Hampshire, and for women.
CollectionsAug 27, 2026
Pandora Expands ‘Talisman’ Collection as Lawsuit Continues The second iteration of the jewelry collection was inspired by the zodiac and the four elements: earth, water, air and fire.
Brought to you by
Your Piece Could Be the One Editors Talk AboutSubmit your pieces for a chance to win in this year's competition.
CrimeAug 27, 2026
Customs Seizes Nearly 900 Pieces of Counterfeit JewelryThe package, intercepted in Indianapolis, contained fake Cartier, Tiffany & Co., and Van Cleef and Arpels jewelry.
Weekly QuizAug 27, 2026
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
IndependentsAug 27, 2026
Jessica McCormack to Open First West Coast StoreThe new location in Costa Mesa, California, marks the brand’s second store in the United States and fourth standalone location worldwide.
FinancialsAug 27, 2026
Movado’s Q2 Sales Up As Younger Consumers Take Interest in WatchesThe fashion watch category was once threatened by the Apple Watch, but consumers are now opting for new wearables, said Movado’s CEO.
Brought to you by
Why More Jewelry Retailers Are Hosting Turnkey Estate Buying EventsRetailers are seeking new ways to attract customers, increase traffic, and create revenue – Estate buying events are a popular solution.
SurveysAug 26, 2026
5 Jewelry Insights From The RealReal’s Resale ReportThe report delves into trending styles, the most popular jewelry brands by city, and why Belle Époque jewelry could be the next big thing.
Lab-GrownAug 26, 2026
AGTA Now Requiring Members to Call Lab-Grown Gems ‘Synthetic’The association added the requirement to its revised "Code of Ethics" and released the 17th edition of its “Gemstone Information Manual.”
SurveysAug 26, 2026
Consumer Confidence Dips in August Amid Anticipatory Anxieties Respondents were concerned about the future of the labor market and their income as well as the rising prices of gas and groceries.
TrendsAug 26, 2026
Boucheron’s New Campaign Celebrates Its ‘Question Mark’ NecklacesThe campaign highlights the asymmetrical high jewelry necklace style that the jeweler first created in 1879.
Events & AwardsAug 26, 2026
Harry Winston Exhibition to Open in ShanghaiIt will explore the life of “The King of Diamonds” and showcase more than 165 creations from the brand.
CrimeAug 25, 2026
Florida Woman Scammed Out of $1.5M in Jewelry, Precious MetalsTwo suspects have been arrested in connection with the complex phone scam.
ColumnistsAug 25, 2026
Proof Before Purchase: The Gen Z Way to BuyIn her first column for National Jeweler, Jennifer Shaheen asks jewelers if they know how to connect with the next generation of consumers.
Events & AwardsAug 25, 2026
SSEF Opens 2026 Applications for Gemology Education ScholarshipsThe annual awards cover tuition for an on-site educational course at the Swiss lab, as well as flights and lodging.
TrendsAug 25, 2026
Brent Neale Celebrates Blackberry Farm’s Anniversary With JewelryThe jeweler partnered with the Tennessee resort to honor its 50th anniversary with limited-edition blackberry pendants and earrings.
EditorsAug 24, 2026
Q&A: Reeds Jewelers VP Genna Zimmer on 80 Years in BusinessThe third-generation jeweler shared how the North Carolina retailer is celebrating this milestone and the love story that started it all.
Events & AwardsAug 24, 2026
Rio Grande, MetalWerx Host Argentium Silver WorkshopThe class, led by renowned metalsmith Cynthia Eid, highlighted Argentium silver as an alternative to gold amid high prices.
Events & AwardsAug 24, 2026
JIS Miami Opens Fall 2026 RegistrationThe show is slated for Oct. 16-19 at the Miami Beach Convention Center.
CollectionsAug 24, 2026
Francesca Villa Honors Napoleon, His Empresses In New CapsuleThe “Empresses” capsule uses 19th-century medals depicting Napoleon, Joséphine, and Marie-Louise across five one-of-a-kind pieces.
SurveysAug 21, 2026
These Are 2026’s Hottest Retailers, Says NRFThe retailers at the top of the list offer affordable products and fun, discovery-fueled experiences.
WatchesAug 21, 2026
Bremont Names Former Vacheron Constantin Exec CMODaniel Bing was formerly the marketing director for the Americas at Vacheron Constantin.
CollectionsAug 21, 2026
Bijules, Kamyen Serve Up ‘Topspin’ Tennis Bracelet Ahead of US OpenIn our Piece of the Week, the designers reimagine the tennis bracelet with green enamel wrapped around a strand of “Desert Diamonds.”
PodcastsAug 20, 2026
Episode 8: Diamond Industry Update With David Bonaparte & Ronnie VanderLindenThe industry veterans join the podcast to discuss diamond marketing, the FTC Jewelry Guides, and lobbying for lower tariffs.
TechnologyAug 20, 2026
A New AI-Powered Gemstone Identification App Is HereFounder Vik Westermann said the app is a “starting point” to inspire people to work with appraisers and gem labs, not replace them.
AuctionsAug 20, 2026
Storied Unicorn Brooch Up for Auction Gallops to New Home The Verdura brooch, which belonged to the late Virginia Fortune Ryan Ogilvy, was sold to a private collector in Asia.
