Natural Diamond Prices – December 2024
At PriceScope, we remain dedicated to providing timely and insightful updates on the latest trends in the diamond market. Our expert analysis focuses on the economic and social changes shaping…
Heart Shaped Diamond – Basics
A complex cut, the beauty of a heart diamond is more in its balance and proportions than optical qualities such as brightness or fire.
PriceScope Pointer: Most laboratories issue NO CUT GRADE for shapes other than round: If the cut is described as “Ideal” or “Excellent” (etc.) it’s a seller’s description, not a laboratory judgment.
Before going on: Check out the PriceScope Diamond Buying Guide
Heart Shaped Diamond Described
Among the various diamond shapes the classic heart diamonds is a brilliant cut with curved lobes that stem outward from a centered cleft, sloping down to form a sharp point. The shape dates back to the 16th century, when history records a heart diamond coming as a gift to Queen Elizabeth from Mary Queen of Scots. They are typically shallow and are often cut from flattened, triangular rough called macles, facilitating the low profile of the heart diamond ring.
The Fancy, Inconvenient Truth
The heart diamond is often cut for heavier weight, at the expense of beauty. This is because many grading laboratories, including GIA, do not assess the optical performance of the heart diamond or other fancy shapes. With no standards enforced, manufacturers tend to plan for the highest yield possible.
Exceptions
The AGS and GCAL assess and grade the optical performance of certain fancy shapes. If you’re seeking cut quality affirmation, fancy shapes with performance deficits will not earn the highest marks from those top-tier laboratories.
Heart Shaped Diamond Selection Tips
Bow Tie Caution
A bow tie is a dark area across the center width of the heart diamond resulting from a combination of cutting angles. While well-proportioned heart diamonds should have a minimal bow tie effect be sure to check for this deficit. Viewing a diamond spin-video or images under a variety of lighting conditions will help you identify this.
The oval diamond, marquise diamond, heart diamond, and pear shaped diamond all tend to have bow ties of varying degrees, such as the moderate bow tie seen in this oval cut diamond.
Length to Width Ratio:
A ratio between 1.0 and 1.1 is most desirable for the heart diamond shape. Going above 1.1 will make the heart diamond appear stretched.
Other Notes:
A well-cut Heart Shaped Diamond should be symmetrical, so it appears balanced and full. A defined cleft and distinct, pointed lobe will give a cleaner silhouette. In a heart diamond ring the point is most frequently set pointing toward the wearer’s heart.
Color can be more visible in the heart diamond, especially in the lobe areas. This is because the shallow profile tends to emphasize color in the center. For this reason the heart diamond shape is frequently chosen for fancy color diamonds.
The heart diamond shape is most appealing and effective in higher carat weights.
Heart Cut Diamond Prices
PriceScope has been maintaining heart cut diamond prices chart since 2017 and you can visit heart cut diamond prices for the latest retail heart cut diamond price statistics.
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