The Maurya Dynasty ran from 232 BC to 269 BC in India. Ashoka ruled during this time. At some point during his rule, he was reawaked by a greater presence and he started promoting peace, harmony, respect, and compassion instead of fear and terror like was popular before his rule. Because of this reawakening and new teachings, he was very loved by all his people. Ashoka possessed a beautiful diamond that was believed to remove sorrow and sadness, because his people were so happy with him, they named this diamond after him.

The world famous Ashoka diamond is a flawless 41 carat D diamond that was mined in the Golconda area of India. This diamond was so beautiful that many have tried to recreate a smaller version that anyone could wear, however, many of them failed until William Goldberg did it. He became famous for his Ashoka cut diamond. He found that by cutting extra-long rough diamonds with 62 facets in an antique cushion cut with a rectangular girdle outline and rounded corners the end result was an amazing diamond that looked much larger than its carat weight. This Ashoka cut diamond is similar to the original, much larger Ashoka diamond.

Because of the clarity, and beauty of these diamonds, along with the meaning of the Ashoka's name, jewelry buyers seek out these diamonds everywhere they go. Unfortunately for these jewelry buyers, the Ashoka cut Diamond is not available everywhere. Because the Ashoka diamond cut requires larger diamonds, they are very limitedly produced because these larger diamonds don't come around often. Jewelry pieces that feature Ashoka diamonds in them are only available through specific stores that have been authorized by William Goldberg. Among the pieces of jewelry that have been produced include; watches, rings, bracelets, cufflinks, necklaces and earrings. As with any diamond, the price of the piece depends on the clarity of the diamond.

William Goldberg's Ashoka diamond was patented in 2000. There is a lot of interest in Ashoka diamonds, perhaps largely due to the fact that there are so few in existence. The Ashoka is very rarely available as a loose stone but can be found in rings, bracelets and necklaces. One of the most expensive pieces that William Goldberg worked on using his Ashoka cut diamonds was a set of six watches he helped create with designer Chopard. The featured Ashoka diamond watch line runs anywhere from $200,000 to $1 million dollars.

Some of the many famous people that are privileged enough to own a beautiful Ashoka diamond include; Reese Witherspoon, Elizabeth Taylor, Rashida Jones, Paris Hilton and Rachel Larson. These pieces are among some of their most prized pieces of jewelry. Many people that have the opportunity to own an Ashoka diamond have them insured because of their rarity and overall price. The diamonds they own vary in carat size as well as what type of jewelry they own. In the case of Paris, she says that her Ashoka is so special to her she only wears it on very special occasions.