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a beautiful couple fancy intense pink heart shaped diamonds at Ajediam in Antwerp

The Ultimate Guide to Heart Shaped Diamonds: Everything You Need to Know

Heart Shaped Diamonds: A Symbol of Love and Romance

The Heart-shaped diamond is more than just a cut; it’s a powerful symbol of love and romance. Celebrated for its unmistakable shape, this cut appeals to those who seek a piece of jewelry that’s both visually captivating and rich in sentiment. Whether chosen for an engagement ring or as a unique pendant, the Heart cut embodies deep emotional significance and adds a personalized touch to any jewelry collection.

The History of Heart Shaped Diamonds

Heart-shaped diamonds trace their history back to the Renaissance, where they were cherished for their beauty and meaning. This cut became a symbol of royal love and was often used in gifts and jewelry between noble families. Some famous Heart diamonds include the “Heart of Eternity” and Graff’s “Heart of Love,” each representing luxury and romance.

Historical Highlights:

  • Origins: Renaissance nobility exchanged Heart diamonds as tokens of loyalty and love.
  • Famous Pieces: The Blue Heart, Heart of Eternity, Heart of Love, and Heart of the Ocean have contributed to its prestige.
  • Modern Appeal: The Heart cut’s unique design appeals to those who value sentimentality in their jewelry, making it a timeless choice.

Understanding the Unique Aspects of the Heart Cut

The Heart-shaped diamond is a modified brilliant cut that requires expert precision to balance its proportions and symmetry. Its distinct “cleft” and “lobes” give the Heart its shape, making symmetry crucial for visual appeal.

Key Features:

  • The Cleft: This characteristic split at the top is a key feature of the Heart cut, requiring meticulous precision.
  • The Lobes: Rounded parts at the top of the diamond enhance the Heart shape’s fullness.
  • Symmetry: Perfect symmetry between the lobes and across the cleft ensures the Heart shape is easily recognizable and maximizes sparkle.

Why are there no Cut Grade on Heart Shaped Diamonds’ Lab Reports?

Fancy Cut Diamond Certificates don't show cut grades only symetry and polish

Cut Quality and the Absence of Standardized Grades:

Unlike round brilliant diamonds, which receive standardized cut grades from institutions like the Gemological Institute of America (GIA), fancy shapes—including heart-shaped diamonds—do not have universally accepted cut grading systems. This absence is due to the diverse shapes and facet arrangements of fancy diamonds, making it challenging to apply a uniform grading standard.

Despite the lack of formal cut grades, evaluating a heart-shaped diamond’s cut quality remains essential. Focus on aspects such as polish and symmetry, which are assessed individually and reported on grading certificates. High-quality polish and symmetry contribute to the diamond’s ability to reflect light effectively, enhancing its sparkle.

Heart Shaped Diamonds: Choosing the Right Quality

Selecting a heart-shaped diamond, like most fancy shapes, requires a keen understanding of its cut and how it influences the diamond’s overall beauty. The cut is the single most important factor that determines the diamond’s brilliance and charm.

Since there is no official consensus on what the cut of a heart shape diamond should be let us share what we look out for in heart shapes as professionals.

In this video one diamond is too rounded and the other too slender, both cases result in a less appealing shape

Proportions:

The proportions of a heart-shaped diamond significantly affect its “fire” and “life”—terms used in the trade to describe its brilliance and scintillation. A diamond with excessive depth may suffer from a bow-tie effect (a shadow across the center), while a shallow stone may appear dull. Aim for a length-to-width ratio between 0.85 and 0.95 and an ideal total depth of around 58–63% for a balanced and vibrant appearance.

Shape and Symmetry:

The overall shape of the diamond should be well-balanced. Avoid stones that appear too “rounded” or “lengthy,” as they detract from the iconic heart silhouette. Perfect symmetry is essential; without it, a heart-shaped diamond loses its appeal and elegance.

Our Commitment:

At Ajediam, we strive to offer diamonds with exceptional cuts to maximize value and beauty and all our diamond come witha GIA grading report by default. We also encourage clients to compare multiple options before making a decision. Train your eye by reviewing offers from various sources to better understand what makes a truly stunning heart-shaped diamond. Remember, the right choice combines both technical excellence and personal preference.

When you receive an offer ask for a video of the diamond showing all sides, it is easy to hide less desirable aspects of a diamond in a well taken photos.

Ideal Settings for Heart Shaped Diamonds

The right setting enhances the beauty and protection of a Heart-shaped diamond. Popular choices include:

  • Solitaire: Highlights the diamond’s shape in a classic, elegant style.
  • Halo: Surrounding the Heart diamond with smaller stones enhances its brilliance and can make it appear larger.
  • Bezel: This fully encircling setting protects the pointed tip and showcases the Heart’s outline.
  • Three-stone: Often paired with round or pear side stones, this setting adds depth and highlights the Heart shape.

Consider settings that protect the pointed tip to prevent chipping, which is a common issue with Heart diamonds.

Style Inspiration: How to Wear Heart Shaped Diamonds

Heart-shaped diamonds make a versatile choice for various types of jewelry. Here’s how to wear them across styles:

  • Engagement Rings: A sentimental choice that stands out from traditional round cuts.
  • Necklaces and Pendants: The Heart shape works beautifully as a pendant, offering an elegant yet romantic touch.
  • Earrings and Bracelets: Heart diamonds can be set into earrings or bracelets, adding a charming sparkle and a unique style element.

Styling Tip: Pair Heart-shaped diamonds with simple pieces to avoid overwhelming their intricate shape. Rose gold settings bring out the romantic appeal, while platinum gives a modern twist.

Investment Value of Heart Shaped Diamonds

Heart-shaped diamonds hold value for collectors and romantics alike, but their investment potential is influenced by several factors:

  • Market Demand: Heart-shaped diamonds are less common, which can lead to higher appreciation if demand increases for larger top quality heart shaped diamonds.
  • Rarity and Pricing: As a non-traditional cut, they may be priced lower than round diamonds but are still sought after for their unique design. Select the heart shape in our natural white diamond price lists and see their current market pricing.

For long-term value, select Heart-shaped diamonds with a beautiful shape and top grades on the lab reports, as these are more likely to appreciate.

Be aware that the price difference between a beautifully cut heart-shaped diamond and a poorly cut one can exceed 50%, and a dull diamond will likely be very difficult to resell.

Heart Shaped Diamonds vs. Other Shapes

Heart-shaped diamonds can be compared to other romantic shapes, like Pear and Oval, to highlight their unique qualities.

Diamond ShapeKey FeaturesBrilliancePrice Range
HeartSymbolic, sentimentalHighModerate
RoundTimeless, versatileHighestHigh
PearElongated, slimmingHighModerate
OvalVintage appealHighModerate

 Caring for Heart Shaped Diamonds

Protecting your Heart-shaped diamond ensures its longevity and sparkle. Here are care tips tailored for this shape:

  • Cleaning: Regular cleaning with mild soap and a soft brush helps maintain shine.
  • Protection: Consider a protective setting for the pointed tip, and avoid wearing it during intense activities.
  • Storage: Store separately from other diamond jewelry in a soft-lined jewelry box to prevent scratching.

A well-maintained Heart-shaped diamond will retain its beauty for generations.

Celebrity fans of Heart-Shaped Diamond

The Heart-shaped diamond, with its romantic and whimsical design, has captivated many celebrities who want their engagement rings to make a bold, symbolic statement.

Lady Gaga
Lady Gaga’s engagement ring from Taylor Kinney featured a stunning Heart-shaped diamond set on a pavé diamond band. The romantic design perfectly suited Gaga’s unique and expressive personality.

Nicki Minaj
Nicki Minaj received a dazzling Heart-shaped diamond engagement ring from her partner, featuring a large center stone surrounded by a halo of smaller diamonds. The ring reflects Nicki’s bold, extravagant style.

Gwen Stefani
Gwen Stefani’s Heart-shaped diamond engagement ring from Gavin Rossdale is a timeless classic that exudes romance, much like Gwen’s effortlessly cool and sentimental personality.

FAQs about Heart Shaped Diamonds

1. Are Heart-shaped diamonds more expensive than other shapes?

Not necessarily. Heart-shaped diamonds are typically more affordable than Round diamonds of the same carat, but high-quality Heart cuts can command a premium.

2. What is the best carat size for Heart-shaped diamonds?

A carat weight of 1.0 or higher is ideal, as smaller Hearts may not show the shape as distinctly.

3. What clarity grade should I choose for a Heart diamond?

VS1 clarity or higher is recommended since the open facets in a Heart cut make inclusions more visible.

4.  Can Heart-shaped diamonds be used in engagement rings?

Yes, Heart-shaped diamonds are popular for engagement rings, symbolizing love and commitment.

5.  Do Heart-shaped diamonds require a specific type of setting?

Bezel and Halo settings work well to protect the shape’s pointed tip, while a Solitaire setting allows the shape to stand out.

Final Thought: Find Your Perfect Heart Shaped Diamond at Ajediam

Explore Ajediam’s collection of Heart-shaped diamonds and discover the perfect symbol of your love. Whether you’re seeking a classic engagement ring or a one-of-a-kind piece, our expert team in Antwerp is ready to help. Book an appointment today and let us guide you to the perfect Heart diamond.