Hearts and Arrows Question

[Yorkie Fan]

I'm trying to learn all I can about diamonds and really appreciate this site. The question I have is can a diamond display the hearts and arrows pattern, yet still not be well cut? And on the other hand, can a diamond not display the hearts and arrows, and still be well cut? Thanks!

 

[DejaWiz]

Hi, Yorkie Fan!
Yes to both.

I would tend to favor the second option: we can find plenty of great diamonds that have ideal proportions and angles, exhibit outstanding optical performance, but just miss the mark on making Hearts and Arrows.

 

[Yorkie Fan]

Thank you for your reply!

 

[Texas Leaguer]

I'm trying to learn all I can about diamonds and really appreciate this site. The question I have is can a diamond display the hearts and arrows pattern, yet still not be well cut? And on the other hand, can a diamond not display the hearts and arrows, and still be well cut? Thanks!

The hearts and arrows pattern is a visual representation of the degree of "optical precision" achieved by the cutter. (This is sometimes referred to as optical symmetry). It is the degree to which all of the opposing facets line up accurately in 3D space.

A diamond with outstanding optical precision can fully express the size and mix of the virtual facets intended by the facet design.

It is possible to achieve outstanding optical precision even if proportions are not optimal, so such a diamond can still have some deficits in light performance. At the same time, technical deficits in a given hearts and arrows pattern may not diminish visual performance to any significant degree.

The term "super ideal" refers to those diamonds which have demonstrable optical precision in addition to ideal proportions.

 

[Yorkie Fan]

Thank you for this explanation! Had to read it a few times, but now I get it!