Question about cut

[diamondseeker2006]

I really appreciate all the great information on this site! But I need to understand a little more about cut. I get it that cut is the most important factor. However, do ALL round brilliants with an ideal cut display hearts and arrows, or is that just one special kind of cut? While I think they are beautiful (from the pictures), I certainly also think I have seen beautiful, well-cut diamonds that would not display obvious arrows. Is this possible? As a matter of fact, I do not recall ever in my life seeing a diamond with arrows visible from the top, so I am not sure that is an absolute requirement for my diamond.

I want a great diamond, but I do not plan to carry around a scope for people to view my diamond with! I read on a thread here the other day that VG is fine for polish and probably symmetry. I am willing to go to G or maybe H for color and I''d like a good VS2. This is is an upgrade from my current 1 ct. I''d like to go to 1.5 if possible.

Thanks for your help!

 

[JohnQuixote]

Not all ideal cut diamonds have H&A symmetry. And..not all H&A diamonds are ideal or have top light return. For that matter, standards of what constitutes 'hearts & arrows' differ.

Here is some info on Hearts & Arrows.

 

[belle]

i think many people have a misconception that you see 'dark' arrows all the time in h&a stones.
just like any other diamond, the facets (arrows) are more readily seen in certain lighting conditions, but most of the time, they are going to look beautifully silvery-white. it is entirely possible that you have seen a h&a stone and just never realized it. h&a is a product of precise facet patterning. meaning, the facets line up in a perfectly symmetrical pattern (optical symmetry) instead of random.
you can absolutely get a beautiful stone without hearts and arrows patterning, but many well cut stones will, by design, display this type of symmetry.
lab graded symmetry, which is shown on grading reports, has nothing to do with optical symmetry and the final grades of polish/symmetry do not determine how well a diamond is cut.

 

[ringsearcher99]

i was wondering if VG/VG is ok for polish/symmetry as well?

 

[JohnQuixote]

Date: 1/11/2006 7:44:19 PM
Author: ringsearcher99
i was wondering if VG/VG is ok for polish/symmetry as well?

Studies have indicated that there is not a visible difference between Ideal/EX and VG polish and symmetry. These are, however, marks of great craftsmanship, so the most premium diamonds are often accompanied by Ideal/EX grades in these finish details.

Belle - great input on 'arrows' & obscuration.