H&A Cut

[Sparkly_Diamonds]

Hello,

I am confused about identifying a true H&A diamond. Common advice is to use a H&A scope and if the images are crisp (both hearts and arrows views) then it’s a H&A cut. However I have viewed a few diamonds through such a scope and although the images appear crisp, the diamond is not officially a true H&A diamond.

So, what is the truth? Why are some diamonds with crisp H&A scope views not classified as true H&A diamonds?

 

[LIGemzGal]

From my understanding you should be able to see a true hearts and arrows pattern under the scope for it to be appropriately termed an H&A stone. And if you can obviously see those patterns then it's a given that the stone is cut to ideal proportions so it would receive a triple 0 rating by AGS. But also not all triple 0 diamonds or ideal cut diamonds are Hearts and arrows---theyre just not cut to those exact specifications to make the patterns appear. I had an H&A stone a few years ago and it was a beauty. An H VS2 1.13 round brilliant. In my new ring that I'm currently working on, although my center is a sapphire, wanted my side stones to be H&As because that fire and sparkle are undeniable. Not sure if you've come across this website, but it has some pretty good information.

Cut Grades Arrive in America

Ideal cut diamonds, hearts and arrows ideal cut diamonds, H&A, super ideal cuts, AGS 000, GIA triple excellent, the definitive diamond cut website, GIA or AGS graded diamonds, diamonds with Sarin AGS Zero grades are discussed in detail, brought to you by the first importers of H&A diamonds in...

www.heartsandarrows.com

 

[tyty333]

H&A does not = AGS000.

Edit...OP, not sure what you mean by crisp? H&A is a high level of symmetry that produces same size hearts (and arrows). So, its not just
being able to see hearts, its that all the hearts look the same (or very close).

Edit...plus there is no standard that I'm aware of so one company may declare some hearts close enough while Super Ideal brands may be
more particular.

 

[Sparkly_Diamonds]

From my understanding you should be able to see a true hearts and arrows pattern under the scope for it to be appropriately termed an H&A stone. And if you can obviously see those patterns then it's a given that the stone is cut to ideal proportions so it would receive a triple 0 rating by AGS. But also not all triple 0 diamonds or ideal cut diamonds are Hearts and arrows---theyre just not cut to those exact specifications to make the patterns appear. I had an H&A stone a few years ago and it was a beauty. An H VS2 1.13 round brilliant. In my new ring that I'm currently working on, although my center is a sapphire, wanted my side stones to be H&As because that fire and sparkle are undeniable. Not sure if you've come across this website, but it has some pretty good information.

Cut Grades Arrive in America

Ideal cut diamonds, hearts and arrows ideal cut diamonds, H&A, super ideal cuts, AGS 000, GIA triple excellent, the definitive diamond cut website, GIA or AGS graded diamonds, diamonds with Sarin AGS Zero grades are discussed in detail, brought to you by the first importers of H&A diamonds in...

www.heartsandarrows.com

That’s the issue, I do see a clear hearts and arrows pattern and they are near H&A but not true H&A.

Thanks for the link - it is very helpful!

 

[Sparkly_Diamonds]

H&A does not = AGS000.

Edit...OP, not sure what you mean by crisp? H&A is a high level of symmetry that produces same size hearts (and arrows). So, its not just
being able to see hearts, its that all the hearts look the same (or very close).

Edit...plus there is no standard that I'm aware of so one company may declare some hearts close enough while Super Ideal brands may be
more particular.

Thanks so much tyty333. When I said crisp, I meant the images are crisp hearts and arrows and not blurred ones. I thought all crisp hearts and arrows images (where hearts and arrows look almost the same size) are of diamonds with true H&A cut. While other non H&A diamonds don’t have crisp H&A scope image but more blurred ones.

 

[Texas Leaguer]

Hearts and arrows patterning is a visual indication of the precision of the facet placement in 3 dimensions. It is also referred to as optical symmetry or optical precision.

Like most qualities, optical precision comprises a range, with some sellers much more rigorous than others in their definition of what qualifies as true H&A.

It is important to understand, as @tyty333 mentioned, that a good H&A pattern does not guarantee that a diamond has ideal light performance. And conversely, not all AGS Ideal cuts have a level of optical precision resulting in a true H&A pattern. The concept of a 'super ideal' is a diamond that has both.

 

[Sparkly_Diamonds]

Hearts and arrows patterning is a visual indication of the precision of the facet placement in 3 dimensions. It is also referred to as optical symmetry or optical precision.

Like most qualities, optical precision comprises a range, with some sellers much more rigorous than others in their definition of what qualifies as true H&A.

It is important to understand, as @tyty333 mentioned, that a good H&A pattern does not guarantee that a diamond has ideal light performance. And conversely, not all AGS Ideal cuts have a level of optical precision resulting in a true H&A pattern. The concept of a 'super ideal' is a diamond that has both.

That’s a very helpful explanation. Thank you!

 

[Garry H (Cut Nut)]

In my opinion, apart from the symmetry advice given above - the polish quality on diamonds that have had heaps of TLC plus the best equipment - is one of the main advantages that you will experience.
Enjoy the bling and sparkle!

 

[LIGemzGal]

H&A does not = AGS000.

Edit...OP, not sure what you mean by crisp? H&A is a high level of symmetry that produces same size hearts (and arrows). So, its not just
being able to see hearts, its that all the hearts look the same (or very close).

Edit...plus there is no standard that I'm aware of so one company may declare some hearts close enough while Super Ideal brands may be
more particular.

Correct that not all HAs are 000. Its about the cut. But polish or symmetry may not be ideal and still can see HA.

 

[Sparkly_Diamonds]

Hearts and arrows patterning is a visual indication of the precision of the facet placement in 3 dimensions. It is also referred to as optical symmetry or optical precision.

Like most qualities, optical precision comprises a range, with some sellers much more rigorous than others in their definition of what qualifies as true H&A.

It is important to understand, as @tyty333 mentioned, that a good H&A pattern does not guarantee that a diamond has ideal light performance. And conversely, not all AGS Ideal cuts have a level of optical precision resulting in a true H&A pattern. The concept of a 'super ideal' is a diamond that has both.

Thanks so much Texas Leaguer! Would you be so kind as to let me know your opinion on the attached H&A photo?

 

[Sparkly_Diamonds]

Hearts and arrows patterning is a visual indication of the precision of the facet placement in 3 dimensions. It is also referred to as optical symmetry or optical precision.

Like most qualities, optical precision comprises a range, with some sellers much more rigorous than others in their definition of what qualifies as true H&A.

It is important to understand, as @tyty333 mentioned, that a good H&A pattern does not guarantee that a diamond has ideal light performance. And conversely, not all AGS Ideal cuts have a level of optical precision resulting in a true H&A pattern. The concept of a 'super ideal' is a diamond that has both.

My apologies for the additional pics. I am just learning how to upload on this forum.

 

[Victor Canera]

@Sparkly_Diamonds

I think the community can really help educate you to make this determination on your own

When looking at the hearts scope images for example, it’s important to ask yourself whether you see any asymmetry in the pattern. Asymmetry in the image usually means that there is some variance in the pavilion facets of the diamond. This variance actually shows up on the scope image.

I’m attaching a photo of a perfect heart directly from DiamCalc for you.



Good luck!