Considered one of the ‘fancy shapes’ of diamonds, you might think that these stones are a modern option when selecting a diamond. In fact, Heart shaped diamonds have been recorded in history dating back to the 15th century and were once the favoured shape of royalty including Mary Queen of Scots who gifted a Heart shaped diamond ring to Queen Elizabeth I of England as a gesture of friendship and goodwill.

Often considered the most romantic of diamonds, the Heart shape may be seen as sentimental and symbolic or contemporary and highly fashionable. A Heart shaped diamond will always make a statement and is the perfect muse for the creation of an amazing jewellery design.

Heart shaped diamonds possess 59 facets and  are based on a brilliant cutting pattern. However, unlike the uniform round brilliant cut, releasing the potential brilliance and optimal size of a heart shaped gem is left to the discretion of the cutter to choose the dimensions of the heart to achieve the highest quality diamond from the crystal rough.

An ideal Heart shaped diamond should possess a height to width ratio of 1:1  and it is crucial that the symmetry both sides of the stone is perfect to ensure each facet is aligned to return the maximum amount of light. As with other fancy cuts such as the Oval, Heart shaped diamonds may possess a ‘bow tie’ effect across the widest part of the stone – this should not be considered an imperfection unless the effect significantly impacts on the stones appearance. Where individual Heart shaped diamonds may differ is in the proportion of the elements of the shape – the depth of the cleft, the roundness of the shoulders or lobes at the top or the sharpness of the point. This is where a Heart shaped diamond expresses its unique personality.

Due to the skill required to cut the perfect heart shaped diamond and the potential loss of rough carat weight to shape the perfect stone, Heart shaped diamonds do command a slight premium when compared to more mainstream shapes.As with any diamond, the quality of the finish, the colour and clarity grading  must also be considered in the mix of characteristics when selecting the perfect heart shaped diamond for you.

Whether it is the romantic symbolism, the individuality or the feminine style of the Heart shaped diamond, this fancy cut has endured the test of time and is eternally popular especially for engagement rings.  If you would like to learn more,  your trusted jeweller will be able to show you a range of stones in order to compare these characteristics and guide you in the selection process.