Eye Twitching: Causes, Remedies, and Prevention Tips

Eye twitching—medically known as myokymia—is a frequent and often harmless occurrence that can catch you off guard. Most people will experience this involuntary eyelid spasm at some point. It can be unpleasant or cause concern, especially if it lingers. If you’re finding yourself repeatedly wondering, why is my eye twitching, you’re not alone—this question is so common it’s routinely addressed by eye care experts. Understanding the underlying causes, most effective remedies, and ways to prevent future episodes can help you feel more at ease when eye twitching strikes.

Common Causes of Eye Twitching

Several everyday factors can trigger eye twitching. The most prevalent causes include:

• Stress: Emotional stress puts your body into overdrive and causes muscles around your eyes to tighten and spasm.

• Fatigue: Not getting enough sleep or rest can make your eyelid muscles more sensitive and prone to twitching.

• Caffeine and Alcohol: Overconsumption of caffeinated drinks or alcohol can overstimulate your nervous system, resulting in fleeting eyelid spasms.

• Eye Strain: Prolonged screen time from computers, tablets, or smartphones can fatigue your eye muscles and lead to twitching episodes.

• Dry Eyes: Reduced tear production or excessive screen use can leave your eyes feeling dry and reactive, sparking spasms.

• Nutritional Imbalances: A lack of essential minerals—especially magnesium—can provoke muscle contractions in different parts of the body, including the eyes.

Factors such as allergies, irritant exposure, or certain medications might also heighten the likelihood of eyelid spasms. Most cases are temporary and resolve independently, but understanding your triggers makes it easier to manage symptoms over time.

Effective Home Remedies

Most mild cases of eye twitching will improve with simple adjustments to your daily routine. If you’re eager to stop the spasms, try these proven home remedies:

• Manage Stress: Use calming techniques like mindful breathing, meditation, or yoga to ease tension in your body and decrease the frequency of eyelid spasms.

• Ensure Adequate Sleep: Establish a consistent sleep schedule and aim for seven to nine hours of restful sleep each night to keep your muscles—including those in your eyelids—well-rested and relaxed.

• Limit Caffeine and Alcohol Intake: Cutting back on these stimulants can reduce hypersensitivity in the nervous system and relieve twitching.

• Reduce Screen Time: Follow the 20-20-20 rule: every 20 minutes, take a 20-second break and look at something 20 feet away. This practice minimizes eye strain and helps prevent spasms.

• Use Artificial Tears: If you’re experiencing dry eyes, over-the-counter lubricating eye drops (artificial tears) can restore comfort and may quickly calm a twitch.

• Apply Warm Compresses: Placing a clean cloth over your closed eyes for several minutes can ease soreness and relax the overactive eyelid muscles.

Gentle facial massage can also bring relief for persistent or bothersome symptoms. Additionally, ensure that your work environment is well-lit and your screen is at a comfortable distance to reduce overall strain on your eyes.

When to Seek Medical Advice

Most episodes of myokymia are self-limiting and don’t require medical intervention. However, consult a healthcare professional if you experience any of the following:

• Twitching that lasts longer than two weeks or doesn’t improve despite self-care

• Spasms that spread to other parts of your face or body

• Drooping eyelids or noticeable changes in your vision

• Persistence of redness, swelling, or a yellowish discharge from the eyes

These symptoms may indicate a more complex neurological or ocular condition—such as blepharospasm or hemifacial spasm—that requires medical treatment. The Mayo Clinic has more information about when to seek care for persistent or unusual eye movements.

Preventive Measures

To keep those bothersome eyelid twitches at bay, consider adopting these long-term prevention strategies:

• Maintain a Balanced Diet: To keep muscles healthy, prioritize foods naturally high in magnesium, such as spinach, almonds, and whole grains.

• Stay Hydrated: Drinking enough water each day supports muscle and nerve function, reducing your risk of muscle spasms, including those in your eyelids.

• Practice Good Eye Hygiene: To minimize irritation and strain, take regular breaks from screens, use proper lighting, and avoid rubbing your eyes.

Developing habits that promote overall wellness can also lower your risk of recurring myokymia. Practice relaxation techniques, balance your workload, and monitor stimulant intake as part of a holistic approach to eye health.

With a practical understanding of the causes and remedies for eye twitching, you can take simple steps to manage and prevent this common nuisance, restoring comfort and peace of mind.

The Future of Exclusivity: Digital Communities With AI

Exclusivity has always been a marker of status. Private clubs, rare collections, personal connections — all these have shaped the unique world of the privileged. But the digital revolution is transforming the very nature of elitism. Today, value is created not only by rare items or access to people but also by digital spaces with personalized characters that provide a new level of privacy and individualized experience.

Virtual communities with AI‑powered characters are the evolution of elite salons of the past. Instead of physical presence, there is a digital environment; instead of live interlocutors, there are characters created and managed by artificial intelligence, capable of adapting to participants’ desires. These are not mere chatbots — they are virtual companions and moderators, turning communication into a fully customized service.

Why does this matter now?
Because the demand for personalization and privacy is growing faster than the luxury industry can adapt. Urban dwellers are tired of noisy spaces and generic services. They crave calm, intellectual depth, and conversations that feel designed just for them.

Virtual clubs with AI‑powered characters fulfill this demand. They provide access to environments where every detail — from the greeting to the depth of the dialogue — is tailored to the individual. This isn’t a replacement for reality but a complement, forming a new model of elite leisure.

A New Paradigm of Virtual Communication

Virtual communication is no longer limited to simple messaging. Today it spans entire worlds: from light conversations with digital assistants to deep, almost intimate connections with AI companions.

The key difference lies in the flexibility and adaptability of these characters. They adjust to a user’s mood, interests, and even style of conversation. Some people seek short chats to unwind after work. Others look for emotional support or intellectual discussions at a level rarely encountered even among humans.

This is why virtual communities with AI‑powered characters are becoming not only spaces for communication but also alternatives to traditional forms of leisure and relationships. On Swipey ai, users can shape their own characters and build interaction scenarios that evolve — from casual conversations to more personal and meaningful exchanges — creating an experience that feels individually crafted.

Virtual Communities as the New Club Format

Historically, clubs served as spaces for exchanging ideas and strengthening bonds among the elite. Today, this function is moving into digital communities, where participants are united not by walls and dress codes but by shared interests and personalization algorithms.

These spaces are not as chaotic as social networks. They are structured communities, where artificial intelligence acts as a moderator, conversational partner, and even event organizer. Instead of static forums or groups, they are dynamic environments where communication flows organically, and every participant feels a sense of belonging to something exclusive.

For city dwellers, this is particularly valuable. In a world where everything moves faster, virtual clubs allow people to disconnect from external noise and enter private communication spaces tailored to their personal rhythms. AI‑powered characters act as “doors” to this new digital salon — greeting, conversing, and creating an atmosphere of trust and individuality.

Personalization as the New Currency of Luxury

In the era of mass services, personal attention has become true luxury. Clients don’t want to be part of a general audience — they expect experiences designed specifically for them. That’s why virtual communities with AI‑powered characters deliver a value that is hard to find in traditional formats.

Artificial intelligence makes instant adaptation to participant needs possible. Characters remember past conversations, adjust to moods, anticipate desires, and can even suggest new topics of dialogue. This feels more like interacting with a personal concierge than engaging in a standard chat.

In the premium segment, this becomes a digital form of exclusivity. Users are not just consumers of content — they are co‑creators of unique environments. Such communities become an extension of private clubs for the chosen few, but without geographic or social barriers.

How AI‑Powered Characters Redefine Social Connections

Social connections have always been built around people — real, with their own personalities and boundaries. AI‑powered characters change this equation. They create an experience that is both intimate and safe: users can share thoughts without fear of judgment, engage in conversations at their own pace, and choose the depth of interaction.

This format doesn’t replace human relationships but complements them, opening new forms of communication. For example, business clubs can use AI‑powered characters as facilitators of discussions, while private communities can use them to create a trusted atmosphere among participants.

This flexibility makes virtual communities with AI companions especially appealing to those who value control over their communication. Users decide who their interlocutor will be, what boundaries to set, and what topics to explore. It’s a level of freedom impossible to achieve in the offline world.

The Future of Luxury Communication: Integrating Digital and Real

The luxury industry has always been at the forefront of exploring new interaction formats. Now it’s moving toward a hybrid model, where digital communication complements physical experiences. Virtual clubs with AI‑powered characters can become a kind of “anteroom” for real‑world gatherings — places where connections are established, ideas are discussed, and communities are formed before participants meet in person.

For brands, this opens new opportunities. They can offer clients personalized digital services as part of their luxury experience: from private club chats to conversations with AI brand ambassadors. These solutions turn ordinary communication into a carefully designed strategy for client engagement and retention.

This trend is already visible: premium audiences value services that maintain privacy, depth, and individuality while remaining accessible 24/7. Here, AI‑powered characters play a key role — becoming bridges between real and virtual environments, making communication multi‑layered and personalized.

Conclusion: Exclusivity in the Age of AI

Exclusivity is no longer confined to private club walls or curated guest lists. It is moving into the digital space, where boundaries are defined not by geography but by technology. Virtual communities with AI‑powered characters are creating a new standard of luxury communication — private, personalized, and dynamic.

With services such as Swipey ai, this transformation is no longer a distant vision. It is becoming part of everyday life for those who value meaningful dialogue and the ability to shape their digital space according to their own rules. For this audience, the fusion of technology and exclusivity is not a novelty — it is a new benchmark of privilege.

And perhaps, it is in these virtual clubs where the next stage of social elite development is taking shape — where luxury is measured not by possessions but by the quality of digital interaction.

Foundation Cracks in Your Baltimore Home... Sell It Anyway

If you’ve noticed foundation cracks in your Baltimore home, you’re not alone, and you’re not out of options. Foundation issues can be scary. They often look worse than they are and can lead to stress when thinking about selling your home. Most people immediately assume they’ll need to pour thousands into repairs before putting the property on the market.

In many cases, expensive foundation repairs aren't a must before selling.

Cracks can mean different things depending on their size, type, and location. Some buyers are open to homes with foundation flaws, and a few visible cracks may not prevent a successful sale.

Cracks Aren’t Always a Red Flag

Not all foundation cracks signal major damage. Many are just cosmetic or the result of natural settling over time. Small vertical or hairline cracks often appear in concrete foundations, especially in older Baltimore homes, and don’t usually indicate structural failure.

Horizontal cracks, however, or wide cracks that grow over time, may point to more serious concerns like water pressure or shifting soil beneath the home. Still, even larger cracks don’t always require immediate repairs. If the home is being sold to someone who knows how to handle properties as-is.

If you're unsure what type of crack you're dealing with, it’s smart to get a professional inspection. But that doesn’t mean you’re committing to an expensive fix. Sometimes, just understanding the scope of the issue is enough to prepare you for conversations with potential buyers.

Repair or Sell As-Is?

Here’s the question many homeowners ask: Should I repair the foundation before selling?

It depends on your timeline, budget, and ideal buyer.

Repairs can be costly, especially if they involve jacking up the house, sealing major cracks, or correcting drainage issues. For some sellers, that’s not feasible. Maybe you’re facing other expenses, relocating for work, or just want to move on quickly. In those cases, selling as-is could be a better path.

Buyers exist who are comfortable taking on homes with minor or even moderate foundation problems, especially real estate investors and cash buyers. These buyers are often more concerned with the potential of the property than its current condition.

Skip the Stress and Sell for Cash

If you’re dealing with cracks and just want to be done with the stress of repairs, open houses, and picky buyers, working with a cash buyer might be your best option. They typically purchase homes as-is, meaning you don’t need to make repairs or pass inspections.

It also means a quicker closing process and fewer complications. No waiting on mortgage approvals. No back-and-forth haggling over repair credits. Just a straight sale and a clean break.

Right in the middle of your selling options is a good place to consider Houses For Cash Baltimore. Local buyers who specialize in purchasing homes with issues like foundation damage, water problems, or general wear and tear. They’re used to seeing cracked basements and uneven floors and often know exactly how to address them without hesitation.

What Buyers Look For (and What They Don’t)

Not every buyer is turned off by cracks if they’re not structural.

Home inspectors will usually call out any major issues, but seasoned investors already expect some flaws. They’re not looking for a perfect home. They’re looking for a good deal and a property they can improve.

On the other hand, retail buyers (like families buying their primary residence) may be more cautious. Even cosmetic cracks can seem like a big deal to someone who’s never dealt with them before. And if their lender requires the home to meet certain standards, foundation issues can delay or block the sale entirely.

That’s why many sellers with foundation concerns shift their focus to cash buyers, who can skip all that red tape.

A Quick Sale Can Save You Money

If your home has been sitting on the market due to foundation concerns, every month costs you more in taxes, utilities, insurance, and stress. The longer you hold onto the property, the more it can cost you if those cracks worsen over time due to weather or neglect.

Selling quickly allows you to move on without watching your equity drip away month after month.

And if you're planning to relocate or downsize, freeing up that cash sooner gives you more flexibility and peace of mind.

What to Do Before Listing

Even if you're selling as-is, a few simple steps can make the process smoother:

• Take clear photos of the cracks. Honesty goes a long way. Buyers who know what to expect are more likely to move forward.

• Get a basic inspection or opinion. You don’t need to fix anything, but a professional note saying cosmetic only can calm a buyer’s nerves.

• Disclose openly. Being upfront about any cracks and foundation issues builds trust, especially with cash buyers.

• Keep the space clean and accessible. A tidy basement and visible foundation help buyers feel more confident during walk-throughs.

These small efforts can help your home sell faster, even with flaws.

Cracks Don’t Define Your Home’s Worth

Just because your home has some cracks doesn’t mean it’s unsellable. Baltimore homes, older ones naturally shift and settle over time. Many of them show signs of age in the foundation, walls, or floors. It’s not unusual, and it doesn’t have to drag you down.

Whether you decide to fix it or not, you’ve got options. And in many cases, skipping the repairs and selling to someone ready to take the home as-is makes the most sense. You can still walk away with a fair offer, even if the walls aren’t perfect.

Know When It’s Time to Let Go

If you're tired of dealing with ongoing maintenance, repeated repairs, or buyers backing out over minor cracks, it's okay to say, Enough.

Selling a home with foundation damage might sound daunting, but it’s far from impossible. Cash buyers, in particular, make the process easier by focusing on the potential, not the imperfections.

Letting go of a cracked foundation doesn’t mean you’re giving up. It means you’re choosing a faster, simpler path forward. And that choice can feel like a huge weight lifted.

SEO for Real Estate: How Apartment Listings Get Found Online

You spend time crafting the perfect property description. You upload great photos, add pricing, list every amenity, and even respond quickly to inquiries. But the phone stays quiet. What’s missing? It might be SEO. The kind of behind-the-scenes work that brings eyes to your listings before anything else can happen.

For property managers and leasing teams, especially in the multifamily world, online visibility is no longer optional. It is the foundation of filling vacancies faster and with better quality leads.

In this article, you will see how SEO helps apartment listings rank higher, reach the right audience, and stand out even in crowded markets.

How Google Sees Your Listings

To Google, an apartment listing is just another page it needs to crawl and rank. So if that page doesn’t follow the same SEO rules as a blog post or service page, it’s going to slip through the cracks. That means your beautiful property photos, well-written descriptions, and updated pricing won’t matter if no one can find the page in the first place.

Here’s what matters: relevant keywords, solid on-page structure, and fast loading speed. It’s also important that your listings aren’t duplicated across platforms with identical descriptions. Google prefers original content, even when it's about real estate.

Improve Your SEO

SEO is how your listings appear when renters look online. It's not about adding a few keywords. Your pages must be well-organized, load fast, and provide helpful content. Search engines want to see distinct titles, fresh descriptions, and pages that fit what people are looking for.

However, if you manage multifamily properties, SEO can get more complex. You’re often dealing with multiple locations, floor plans, and amenities. That’s where working with teams experienced in multifamily marketing services can really make a difference. They understand how to optimize each page so it ranks well and attracts the right kind of traffic. From improving on-page content to managing local listings and tracking conversions, their work helps bring in steady leads without depending too much on ads.

Good SEO makes sure your listings don’t just sit online. It helps them get found, clicked, and filled.

Use Smarter Keywords

Sure, you’ll want to include neighborhood names and city-specific terms. That’s a given. But dig deeper. What are people actually typing into the search bar? It's often things like "pet-friendly apartments in [city]" or "2-bedroom apartments near downtown."

If your listing only says “modern apartment in Denver,” that’s too vague. Be specific about the features people are searching for. Think "washer and dryer in unit," "covered parking," or "walk-in closets." The more natural and detailed your keywords are, the more likely your listing matches a searcher’s intent.

Make Your Website Work

If you are relying only on third-party platforms to post your listings, you’re missing out on long-term SEO value. These platforms can help with reach, but your own website is where you have full control. 

Ideally, every listing should live on your site too, and the site itself should be built to perform. That means it needs to load quickly, work well on mobile, have clean page structures, and use clear internal links to boost your SEO.

If you want your listings to show up in search and bring in consistent traffic, SEO should be part of your website strategy. A well-structured site supports visibility, builds trust, and brings renters directly to you without depending only on paid promotion.

Get Quality Links

Yes, even your property listings can benefit from backlinks. These are links from other websites that point to yours. If a local news article features your building or a community site includes your property in a roundup of “Best Places to Live,” those links help build credibility with search engines.

Backlinks show that your listing isn’t just floating alone on the internet. It's part of a larger network of relevant, trusted content.

Think Mobile and Voice

More renters are searching for apartments using their phones. Some are even asking Siri or Google Assistant for help. That means your content should answer questions naturally.

Phrases like “What’s the rent for a 2-bedroom in [neighborhood]?” or “Is there parking at [property name]?” should be answered clearly in your listing content. The easier it is for Google to pull that info, the better chance your listing has to show up as a result, even in a voice search.

Wrapping It Up

Getting your apartment listings found online isn’t about tricks. It’s about doing the right things consistently. Write clearly, focus on what people actually search for, and make sure your content lives in the right places. SEO for real estate might feel technical at first, but at its core, it’s about helping people find a place to call home. Keep your listings human, but make sure they are search engine friendly too. That’s how you get noticed, not just clicked, but chosen.

VS1, VS2, and VVS2 Diamonds Explained: Spotting the Differences

Diamonds are brilliant sparkly wonders of the natural world… but buying diamonds can feel like an overwhelming, intimidating, or even nerve-wracking process. I mean, we are talking about a luxurious, high-priced item after all! The easiest way to become more comfortable in knowing what you are looking for is by learning a little about diamond quality. With that goal in mind, today we are talking about the differences between VVS and VS diamond clarity grades - both of which are impressive quality stones. And while there might be plenty of other diamond features to learn about later on, this is a really great place to start! Let’s talk diamonds!

What does VVS mean? VVS stands for "Very Very Slightly Included," which indicates that the diamond has very small inclusions or blemishes that are barely visible, even under 10x magnification.

VVS Diamonds vs VS Diamond Quality

Let me go ahead and reiterate that the quality of both of these clarity grades is phenomenal! However, VVS diamonds are undoubtedly the higher quality than VS diamonds. And, to dive even deeper, VVS1 is better than VVS2. The differences between VVS1 and VVS2 diamonds are based on where the inclusions are located (like front and center or off to the side and hidden), how many are present, how dark or obvious the inclusions happen to be, and what the inclusion actually is (such as a pinpoint vs. a feather). This is also true for the differences between the other level 1 vs. level 2 diamond clarity grades. Find the best reviews for Rare Carat on different sites to make your decision about buying a beautiful ring from this store.

So, to simplify, VVS1 is the highest quality of VVS diamonds and VS clarity diamonds. In fact, the only diamonds that would even rank superior are the ones without any inclusions at all (aka flawless and internally flawless)… and there are not that many perfect gems just floating around in the world! I love all diamonds, but if you own a VVS1 diamond, that is definitely something to be proud of!

VVS diamonds vs VS diamonds comparison showing vs1, vs2, vvs2, and vvs1

Price

The price of a diamond depends on a few things - the 4C’s to be exact. The color, cut, carat weight, and, of course, clarity, are all influential in the overall value of a diamond. In general, though, the higher the level of clarity and the bigger the diamond, the more expensive the diamond will be. Large, inclusion-free diamonds are rare, and the price tag will reflect that. This is why our VVS1

stones (of comparable sizes) will almost always be the most expensive diamond among our VVS diamonds and VS diamonds.

Which is Better?

I am sure by this point you can probably guess, but the VVS diamond is the overall better quality gem… and you will be paying for that high level of excellence. If your priority is great clarity (and bragging rights), definitely go for the VVS! But if you are looking for a slightly larger diamond and are okay with a lesser (yet still high) level of clarity, choosing a VS diamond might be more for you. Basically, what I am trying to say is - whichever works best for you is better! There is no right or wrong diamond! Don’t miss the best offers of the Rare carat brand when you are looking for the best rings.

Differences Between VVS and VS Diamonds

Jewels are dazzling, glittering reflections of everyday life. However, purchasing jewels might feel intimidating, intimidating, or even nerve-racking. After all, we are discussing a luxurious, expensive item! Learning a little bit about precious stones is the easiest method to get more confident about what you are looking for. With that goal in mind, we are discussing the differences in the clarity categories of VVS and VS precious stones, both of which are of outstanding quality. Additionally, this is a truly great place to start, even if there may be a wealth of other precious stone qualities to discover later! Let us talk about diamonds! This is my personal experience that Rare carat is the best brand for the best rings.

What is cruel about VVS?

 "Exceptionally Exceptionally Marginally Included," or VVS for short, indicates that the jewel has very few flaws or concerns that are hardly noticeable, even at 10x magnification.

VS Jewel Quality vs VVS Precious Stones

I will say it again: both of these clarity grades are of excellent quality! However, VVS gems are unquestionably of a greater caliber than the other one. Furthermore, a VVS1 is far superior to a VVS2 for a deeper dive. VVS1 and VVS2 gemstones differ in how many considerations are displayed, how faint or self-evident they are, where they are located (for example, in the center or off to the side and hidden), and what the consideration actually is (for example, a pinpoint versus a plume).

To sum it up, I have taken everything we now know and organized it into an easy reference list…

VVS diamonds rank higher on the clarity scale, which means their clarity quality is better than VS diamonds. The cleaner the diamond, the more extraordinary it is. 

Marquise Cut Diamonds: Drama and Dimension in One Stone

The marquise, which is essentially an oval with pointed ends and sparkling facets, was initially created in the 18th century when French King Louis XV asked his court jewelers to design a diamond that would match the smile of Jean Antoinette Poisson, also known as the Marquise de Pompadour, his favorite companion and mistress. It is a strange tale, to be sure, but the King was demonstrating to the world that the diamond was a type of aristocratic diamond by naming it the marquise. A hereditary position halfway between a duke and an earl was known as a "marquise," which is the feminine form of the word "marquess." Pretty awesome, isn't it?

The marquise has gone out of vogue, just like any other diamond shape. It was very popular in the 1980s, but its popularity has waned somewhat since then. Therefore, the marquise has what you are searching for if you want a distinctive center stone form! You should buy from Rare Carat these rings, that is the best brand. 

Benefits of Marquise Cut

Similar to ovals, they stretch the fingers and give them a wonderfully regal appearance, making them appealing on even the chunkiest of hands.

You can get more value for your money with a marquise shape because they appear somewhat larger than round stones of the same weight. They are also typically less expensive.

Lastly, they are highly unique. The marquise is a good choice if you want to deviate from the norm a bit with your stone selection.

What is the appearance of a marquise diamond?

The Marquise diamond resembles a smile, a football, or a boat. The shape and appearance of a marquise diamond have been described using all of these terms.

Negative aspects of the Marquise Cut

Having said that, there are three crucial considerations when purchasing a marquise, and they all have to do with Goldilocks. Yes, it is what you read. The woman who was carrying the porridge. Intrigued? Continue Rare carat readinIt will guarantee you find a ring that perfectly fits your personal taste and style.

Ratios of Marquise Diamond Cut Length to Width

Marquise cut diamonds have specific length to width ratios: Short & Wide (1. 8 L/W), Proportional (2. 0 L/W), and Long & Lean (2. 2 L/W).

It's the same with marquise cuts, and in fact, I think it's even more important.

I believe the ideal ratio is 2:1, which is the perfect balance, just right. If the ratio goes over 2. 2:1, the diamond will look too thin or starved. If it's under 1. 8:1, it might look too wide or chubby. Of course, if you like the look of either of those, you’re welcome to choose them. I just feel they aren't as visually appealing.

Marquise Diamond Cut Bow Ties

Next, we should talk about bow ties.

If you've read my guide on oval diamond cuts, you'll know that the bow tie is a real concern. Bow ties are the dark spots that appear on the diamond's surface if it's cut too shallow.

Marquise Color and Clarity

Now, let’s move on to color and clarity.

For clarity, you can go with the VS2 to SI1 range, as marquise cuts, like ovals and cushions, are good at hiding small flaws. However, you should still be careful with the placement of these inclusions. A dark mark in the center of the table can really spoil the look.

What does an Asscher cut diamond look like?

An Asscher cut diamond is square-shaped with step-cut facets and angled corners.

It has a vintage and elegant appearance, often resembling an octagon. When viewed from above, it creates a unique, kaleidoscopic effect.

Let us start by talking about length-to-width ratios. A low L/W ratio can make the difference between a diamond that appears like it is been to an all-you-can-eat buffet and one that has spent too much time on a juice cleanse, as we have seen in previous cuts in this series.Check diamonds price from the brand Rare Carat.

The Asscher Cut's History

Here's a little bit about myself: I wish I could travel back in time to the 1920s. I accept that I will have to settle for some more sensible homages to the Gatsby era because, regrettably, that form of transportation has not yet been created. The Asscher diamond cut perfectly captures the beauty and elegance of that era. Who would not enjoy spending their entire day wearing a small piece of art deco jewelry?

Joseph Asscher was given the task of cutting the largest colorless diamond ever discovered—the Cullinan—by the King of England at the beginning of the 20th century. It would be an understatement to say that he was an expert diamond cutter! Returning to the narrative of Mr. Asscher, you can read more about the Cullinan on this page of our website and see the image of what it became below. 

An Asscher Cut: What is it?

The asscher has "step" cut facets instead of the round diamonds' "brilliant" cut facets, just like the emerald cut. They appear more octagonal than square due to their ultra-cool angled corners, which contrast with the emerald cut. In my opinion, an Asscher diamond cut has a slightly more quirky quality; it is like gazing down into a kaleidoscope. For an excellent analogy, have a look at this bad boy;

What is the appearance of a pear diamond?

The pear-shaped diamond cut, sometimes referred to as the teardrop shape, blends the distinctive appearance of a marquise cut with the beauty of a round brilliant cut. It resembles a pear or a teardrop with its pointed and rounded ends. With a narrower, pointed portion at the bottom and a broader, rounder area at the top, the diamond is faceted to optimize fire and brilliance. Because of its elegant and lengthy appearance, the pear shape is a popular option for pendant necklaces and engagement rings.

Ratio of Pear Cut Length to Width

Having said that, we still need to identify some danger zones for pears, many of which are identical to those we covered in our post about marquise cuts.

The length-to-width ratio comes first. Once more, similar to our marquise cut stones (keep in mind that pears are half marquises), you must have the exact ratio to prevent your stone from seeming underfed or overfed. A ratio of 1.45:1 to 1.55:1 is what I advise.

If you go below 1.45, you will enter the thicker zone, which will negate the nice slimming effect that was one of the pear shape's original benefits. If the head is greater than 1.60, the stone will appear excessively long and thin. Having said that, it is yours if you want the longer (or even shorter, rounder) appearance of a pear.