News

Royal Asscher Appoints New North American Sales Manager

Royal Asscher of America Inc. has appointed Keith Topal as the new North American Sales Manager.  This role continues to be significantly important to the growth and expansion of sales of the Royal Asscher Cut Diamonds, the Royal Asscher jewelry lines and notably the Stars of Africa Collection by Royal Asscher, in the USA, Canada and the Caribbean. Keith will be based out of the New York office, reporting directly to Lita Asscher, President of Royal Asscher of America Inc. and sixth generation diamantaire.

Keith Topal come to Royal Asscher with 27 years of experience in the jewelry industry, where his focus ranges from sales, merchandising and management expertise in the bridal arena. Topal worked with high end jewelry brands, spearheading the creation of their jewelry divisions. Topal states, "I am extremely excited about the opportunity to work with Royal Asscher, its heritage and cache."

Lita Asscher concludes, "Royal Asscher is expanding its sales force and product offering, focussing on the future, continuing the growth of the innovative Stars of Africa Collection and the success of the Royal Asscher Cut. Keith's expertise in jewelry and over all insight of the industry will be a great asset to this company and in continuing the Royal Asscher legacy."

Kate Bosworth Wears Royal Asscher to the 2010 Vanity Fair Oscar Party

Amy Ryan wears Royal Asscher at the 2010 New York Film Critic's Circle Awards

Royal Asscher Names D.E.F. First Beneficiary

Royal Asscher named the Diamond Empowerment Fund® (D.E.F.) as the first beneficiary of its Star of Africa initiative and guaranteed a minimum donation of $50,000 for the D.E.F. Scholars Program. The donation will sponsor students from Sierra Leone who attend the African Leadership Academy (ALA), founded on the belief that ethical leadership is the key to transforming Africa.
Royal Asscher’s academy generates revenue from the sale of its Stars of Africa line of fine jewelry and aims to establish education, healthcare, microeconomic and self-sufficiency programs in Africa's diamond-producing areas.

Lita Asscher, the president of Royal Asscher of America, noted that "Our partnership with the Diamond Empowerment Fund will allow us to enrich the African Leadership Academy by providing students with the opportunity to gain an education in areas of leadership and entrepreneurship that will prepare and propel each exceptional mind to support their continent. Giving students the tools to become ethical leaders, Star of Africa will help D.E.F. and the ALA to develop political stability and economic development in diamond-producing countries."
D.E.F.'s executive director, Ellen Haddigan, said that the support of Royal Asscher would further D.E.F.'s goal to partner with industry leaders on empowerment through education.

Mike Asscher, Lita’s brother, said, "It is of paramount importance to our company that diamonds bring happiness and well-being to all and that they are used for development purposes. We believe that NGOs [nongovernmental organizations], the diamond industry at large and international governments should keep working in partnership to strive for a world that is 100 percent free of conflict diamonds. It is our sincere hope that the phenomenally beautiful Stars of Africa collection has a tangible impact where it is most needed."
D.E.F. was founded by Russell Simmons of Simmons Jewelry Company in December 2006 and has two beneficiaries: CIDA City Campus and ALA, both of which are based in Johannesburg, South Africa. The Stars of Africa by Royal Asscher™ jewelry collection was launched in November. This collection of 18 rings is distinguished by floating diamonds, which are encased in a fluid-filled sapphire dome that allows them to fall freely.Asscher introduce the Star of Africa program in New York during November of 2008. A year later, she explained that in partnering with charities and businesses, she wanted to show the industry how it can have a positive impact on Africa, particularly Sierra Leone, which she visited in 2008. Asscher came away with a strong belief in "diamonds for development" and that became the main goal of the Star of Africa initiative. 

Nikki Reed Wears Royal Asscher on Jimmy Kimmel Live

Nikki Reed appeared on Jimmy Kimmel Live wearing a Stars of Africa ring by Royal Asscher! Nikki wore the style 3 ring with mirco pave, large, in yellow gold.