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There are a number of diamond shapes and likewise, a large number of cuts as well. It’s baffling to think that when it comes to something as precious as a diamond, the way it’s cut and polished can have an impact on its value.
This is actually the case because when the discussion goes further than the 4 Cs of diamond quality, we reach the epitome, which is Hearts and Arrows.
If you select one that has an AGS 0 grade, it will be an excellent diamond, but this may not be your first choice. The finest choice that one could opt for is the H&A grade. It’s crucial to know about the concept of Hearts and Arrows when buying a diamond to prevent being duped.
What is Hearts and Arrows cut
The name of Hearts and Arrows diamonds is simply derived from its symmetrically perfect structure.
The Hearts and Arrows cut, to be more specific, can be observed from the crown to reveal a pattern of 8 arrows that are symmetrical in nature. And the hearts? When viewed from its pavilion, the diamond shows a pattern of 8 hearts.
The Origin of Hearts and Arrows Diamonds
In the 1970s, the development of a tool called ‘firescope’ brought forth the structure of hearts and arrows. Gemologist Kazumi Okuda, developer of the ‘firescope’, had viewed the internal structure of the diamond, giving it the name based on what he could see.
Hearts and Arrows Diamonds Today
These diamonds are considered as a flagship icon in the industry. There are certain standards that a diamond must meet to be called an H&A standard.
The Hearts and Arrows should all be the same size and be symmetrical so they reflect each other. The shapes of the Hearts and Arrows should be uniform and have equal spacing between them with the arrows fitting perfectly in between the hearts. These are the standards the diamond must meet to be graded as H&A.
Unlike carat, clarity, and color, the H&A cut is not influenced by nature, but is in fact man-made. It takes intense labor and craftsmanship in polishing a diamond to give it the brilliance of an H&A diamond.
Hearts and Arrows cut is extremely hard to achieve, therefore only a very few jewelers have this cut on offer. To get the best of the best look at the A CUT ABOVE diamonds from Whiteflash, I would also check out the True Hearts Line from James Allen.
Prices
Creating the structure of the gem to reflect the internal hearts and arrows pattern is extremely time-consuming and a very technical process. The pattern that is observed is caused by cutting and polishing the facets.
When light is reflected off these facets, they create an optical illusion which is the Hearts and Arrows pattern. It is extremely labor intensive, considering it takes 12 facets to create the appearance of a heart, which then makes an arrow.
Image courtesy of Whiteflash.com
Even the minutest of discrepancies between the shapes of the facets will lead to it being unsuitable to be called Hearts and Arrows.
Another reason for the premium price that some pay for Hearts and Arrows grade diamonds is that they exude extraordinary brilliance and reflect the most light due to the internal structure.
These high tier diamonds also emit the most fire, which is a cause for the inflated price. Fire is the sparkling effect of the diamond and it occurs when light reflects off the many facets giving it a rainbow-colored effect.
It’s important to know about this superior cut when deciding to buy a diamond. Especially if you’re investing in buying a high grade one. It’s easy to be confused between an ideal cut diamond and an Hearts and Arrows diamond. However, the difference is dictated by the fire that the two types emit.
The Ideal cut offers perfect symmetry, but the light reflection between both types is different.
The Hearts and Arrows diamond will have enhanced light reflecting properties due to its superior cut, which will make it sparkle in even the poorest of light conditions. Therefore, it’s paramount to know the differences between the two if you are aiming to buy an Hearts and Arrows grade cut.
There are many instances of faulty branding when it comes to the Hearts and Arrows cut. Many brands may boast about their ‘Superior cut’ diamonds, but they almost never live up to the standard of brilliance and fire that is expected of an Hearts and Arrows grade diamond.
In Other Words...
In other cases, companies develop diamonds that are supposedly Hearts and Arrows cuts by developing facets on different shapes to manipulate the hearts and arrows effect. It is essential to understand that the appearance of hearts and arrows don’t make it a superior cut but a superior cut that makes it an Hearts and Arrows grade diamond. For such sellers, the aim is to be able to sell a gimmick of an Hearts and Arrows diamond and not to provide an excellent cut to their consumers.