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Heart Shaped Diamonds: Everything You Need To Know

Heart Shaped Diamonds: Everything You Need To Know

It is reasonable to claim that no other diamond shape expresses the romanticism of diamonds more directly than the heart shape. Aside from the cut’s brilliance and specular reflection, the heart shape screams “love” to each and every eye that encounters it. 

The heart-shaped diamond is popular for engagement rings and anniversary gifts because it represents love, passion, and devotion. But what is a heart shaped diamond?

Heart-shaped diamonds are a variant of the round brilliant cut. That said, making a symmetrical loose heart gem requires more efficiency and talent on the side of the diamond cutters

Want to know more? Keep scrolling!

What Is A Heart Shaped Diamond?

A heart-shaped stone is a unique, unusual variant of the more typical diamond shapes. It is an everlasting emblem of love.

First spotted heart-shaped diamonds date back to the 16th century when the first truly popular diamond of this shape placed in a ring was given as a gift from Mary Queen of Scots to Queen Elizabeth in 1562.

Heart-shaped gems are utilized in various jewelry pieces, including earrings, bracelets, and more. Still, diamonds of this sort are most typically used as the central stone in a diamond engagement ring.

Round brilliants account for more than two-thirds of all diamonds sold on the market.

On the other hand, heart-shaped gems make a tiny percentage of the total quantity of diamonds sold each year, making a heart-shaped diamond a distinctive, rare, and exceptional option.

Unfortunately, most of the diamonds on the marketplace are cut to unappealing sizes and have dull looks. Why is this so? 

In contrast to round brilliant gems, where you can obtain cut grades in a gemological lab report, there is no comparable information accessible for fancy shape precious stones.

A heart-shaped gem generally contains 56 to 58 facets, with the pavilion featuring six to eight facets.

A diamond in the shape of a heart cut to a high degree of quality can have fantastic brightness and a striking form that reflects your and your partner’s mutual love.

Heart-shaped diamonds may vary significantly in length and breadth, which can dramatically impact their look. We’ve addressed these factors in detail below, along with extra advice on what to look for when selecting a heart-shaped diamond for a ring, pendant, or other jewelry.

Related Read: How Do You Pick A Diamond Pendant? – An Extensive Guide

The Cut Of Heart Shaped Diamond

Because of the distinctive look of the heart-shaped diamond, cut quality is among the most important things to consider when analyzing different stones.

Unlike a round brilliant, a heart-shaped stone has no predetermined cut specifications.

That’s attributable to the fact that there is an integral part of personal preference when it comes to the stone’s ratio. Some individuals prefer a lengthier heart, especially in pendants, whereas others prefer a more expansive, rounder heart.

It’s not as simple as reading a GIA certificate to determine the cut grade of a heart-shaped diamond, though. 

In contrast to round brilliant gems and other popular shapes, a GIA certificate accompanying a heart-shaped diamond does not necessarily go into details about its cut grade.

Let’s consider a diamond with an excellent cut, as specified in its GIA certificate. By looking at the cut grade, you may be confident that you’re purchasing a well-cut diamond with perfect symmetry and a lovely appearance.

The issue arises when a diamond lacks an overall cut grade, making it impossible to acquire a complete sense of the diamond’s cut merely by looking at its grading report.

That’s why it’s critical that you thoroughly inspect any heart-shaped diamond before placing an order.

Heart Shape – Length To Width

Like all other non-round shapes, heart-shaped diamonds differ according to extra parameters. The length-to-width ratio determines how long or short the shape looks, making a considerable difference in aesthetics and attractiveness. 

Yet, not all customers react in the same way to these elements, and beauty is in the eye of the beholder. Some people favor an elongated design, whereas others like a bolder, rounder contour. 

That’s entirely a question of personal choice and has no bearing on the quality of the diamond – unless the dimensions have a detrimental influence on its light performance.

The proportions of a fancy form are listed on a GIA report as length x breadth x depth. Just divide the length by the breadth to get the length-to-width ratio.

The optimal length to breadth ratio for a heart-shaped gem is 1.00, meaning that it’s precisely as long as it is broad. Heart-shaped diamonds with a perfect – or nearly-ideal – the length-to-width ratio will appear proportional and natural, rather than too “bloated” or stretched.

Diamonds with a proportion of less than 0.90 will appear “fat” and too broad. And as such, they should be avoided. Similarly, stones of this shape with a ratio of 1.10 or higher frequently seem elongated, stretched, and too thin.

So, for the best appeal, select a heart-shaped diamond with a ratio as near to 1.00 as feasible. Unless you’re looking for a broad or thin diamond, it’s better to avoid gemstones that aren’t in this spectrum.

Girdle Thickness In Heart Diamonds

The girdle of a diamond alludes to the stone’s outer edge and has two purposes: It protects the stone from harm and provides a surface for setting the diamond. The girdle is analyzed and characterized in the GIA grading lab according to its thinnest and thickest points.

In a grading report, for instance, you would see a characterization like “medium – moderately thick” or “thin – thick.” Do note that thin and thick are interpreted as the proportion of the diameter, with thin being 0.6% and thick being 3%.

That implies that a 2-carat diamond with a girdle thickness labeled as thin would be significantly larger than a 0.5-carat stone with a girdle thickness marked as thin.

Unlike round diamonds, where the girdle thickness specifications play a part in defining the cut quality, that’s not the case for fancy shapes. Indeed, slightly thicker girdles can safeguard the gem’s corners by adding mechanical strength.

With that said, this is a two-edged sword. The disadvantage of a thick girdle is that it causes the diamond to appear smaller because the weight is buried.

Now, allow us to explain the unsavory reality of diamond cutting to you: The vast majority of fancy-shaped diamonds are cut to maintain weight and increase income for the jeweler/cutter at the cost of the cut quality.

Some individuals believe that picking diamonds with thin girdles is a fantastic way to enhance size and worth. We’re sorry to announce that this is a bad idea – especially durability-wise.

You want just the correct amount of girdle thickness, so look for a diamond with a girdle ranging from thin to thick.

However, there are no strict regulations governing the top limit. 

For instance, if the pricing is reasonable and the stone has excellent light performance, it is still worth considering diamonds with girdle thicknesses of “somewhat thick” or “extremely thick.”

Table And Depth

Heart-shaped gems, like other diamond shapes, feature a flat top facet called a table. 

The size of the table – represented as a percentage of its breadth – has a significant influence on how much light can enter the stone and reflect off its other facets, enabling it to sparkle.

A heart-shaped diamond should preferably have a diamond’s table that accounts for 56 to 62% of its full breadth. Stones with a table of 54 to 64% can look excellent and are worth evaluating if the other criteria affecting their cut excellence are within the acceptable range.

The depth of a gem is measured from top to bottom and represented as the percentage of its breadth. Opt for a depth ratio of 56 to 66 for heart-shaped stones to ensure higher brilliance and sparkle.

Learn More: Diamond Depth and Table: How to Choose the Perfect Diamond

Importance Of Symmetry In Heart Cut Diamonds

Among the essential aspects of a heart-shaped diamond is its symmetry. In simple words, symmetry refers to how effectively a diamond’s various facets are proportioned and coordinated with one another. 

To some extent, symmetry will influence the beauty and attractiveness of the diamond.

Since a heart is a complex form, there are various criteria to consider when determining whether a stone is cut symmetrically. There’s the cleft – the gem’s inward-facing edge at the apex. Then, there’s the point – or the pointy tip at the diamond’s base.

And there are the lobes – the rounded regions of the diamond that form the heart shape – and also the belly and wing of each half of the stone.

It’s critical to ensure that the gemstone is symmetrical beyond the cleft and tip. So, examine the diamond’s lobes – the upper circular sections that form the heart’s top – for any flaws, too.

The lobes of the finest heart-shaped diamond should be symmetrical. 

In your imagination, draw a straight line along the center of the stone, from the cleft to the tip. The diamond’s opposing sides should seem equal, with no noticeable differences in facets or lobe size.

The diamond with a “fair” symmetry grade has noticeable variances at the lobes, making it an unsuitable option. In contrast, the gem with an “excellent” score has relatively well-balanced lobes, and its outline isn’t compromised.

Note that symmetry relates to how nicely the diamond’s sides are aligned with one another. That does not always imply that the overall form of the stone will be twisted.

Heart Shaped Diamond’s Color

The GIA’s diamond color grading spans from D to Z, with D signifying that a gem is colorless and clear as water. On the other hand, a Z grade denotes a diamond with a prominent, plainly visible yellowish-brown tinge.

Heart-shaped gems are a variant of the round brilliant cut. The hue of a heart-shaped diamond is more difficult to detect than the color of a diamond with a big table since they reflect so much light.

That eliminates the requirement to select a faultless color grade. That will just increase the amount you pay for the diamond while having no discernible effect on how it appears to the human eye.

There is no universal color rating that provides the best price when it comes to heart-shaped diamonds. Instead, choose a color based on the metal you intend to use for the setting.

It is typically advised that a stone with a color rating of H or better is used in platinum or white gold. A lesser color grade is acceptable for a yellow or rose gold setting

In general, for solitaire situations, we suggest a color grade of J or above. Gems in these hue grades have a faint yellow tinge – but when compared to metals like rose or yellow gold, they appear clear.

Related Read: Diamond & Solitaire: What Is A Solitaire Diamond?

Heart Shaped Diamond’s Clarity

Clarity alludes to how pure a diamond seems to a gemologist when examined. Inclusions are rare in stones with high clarity ratings. Lower clarity diamonds frequently have several prominent, extremely noticeable inclusions, though.

Measuring clarity in heart-shaped diamonds is subjective. With their clarity grades, GIA gives fantastic assistance. However, it is critical to remember that each consumer will have a different criterion for clarity. 

Some people may be completely OK with the inclusion – as long as they can’t see it. Others may be more concerned with a technically faultless look.

Generally, you should seek a diamond that is eye-clean, meaning that you can’t detect any flaws or other imperfections with your naked eye.

With heart-shaped stones, clarity ratings of “Small Inclusions” and higher result in an eye-clean diamond. Minor inclusions, such as those present in most VS2 (Very Small Inclusions) diamonds, are not generally apparent to the human eye since this shape is a modified brilliant-cut.

The Suitable Carat Weight For Heart Shaped Diamond

Heart shaped diamonds, like other diamond shapes, are available in a wide range of carat sizes. And, of course, you should choose the highest carat weight that works within your price range. 

By saving on clarity and color, you may typically receive a much bigger diamond than you might have thought. With an immense carat weight, the form of the diamond itself appears more aesthetically pleasing for heart-shaped stones.

It is usually recommended to get a heart-shaped diamond weighing one or more carats. A gem of this size seems to be heart-shaped, while the heart shape of a smaller gem might be difficult to notice once it’s been set in a jewelry piece.

Related Read: How Big Is A 1 Carat Diamond?

Conclusion

So, let’s see what’s learned about this romantic heart shaped diamond.

A well-cut heart shaped diamond may look wonderful in a ring, earring, or another item of jewelry, while also delivering better worth for money than a similarly sized round diamond. It is crucial to select a heart-shaped stone with excellent quality characteristics discussed in this article.  

So, seek diamonds that have a length-to-width ratio that’s as near to 1.00 as feasible. To make the heart form as prominent as possible, use a diamond weighing one (or more) carats.

As with any other diamond, for a stone with such sentiment, it’s critical to pick carefully to obtain the superb quality – without spending more than necessary, of course.