Diamond Hearts & Arrows

What exactly are Hearts & Arrows?

Hearts & Arrows (or whatever variation of the term, as each seller has their own trademark) is a unique effect that a round diamond gives off when perfectly Cut. Why is this interesting and important? It's important to remember that the beauty of a diamond is in its reflective properties. A diamond's worth comes from its ability to channel light and make it brilliant and sparkle. Imagine then that a Diamond is a window, and we want as much light to pass through that window without obstruction. As such, there are a few critical factors that contribute to this. First, a colorless diamond will allow more light through its center. Secondly, a diamond with no inclusions will not block any light entering and/or exiting. Most importantly, though, a perfectly Cut diamond will reflect the most significant amount of light. The Diamond can be perfectly colorless with absolutely no inclusions, but if the shape is all wobbly and non-symmetrical, you still won't get maximum brilliance.

Importance of Hearts & Arrows

Because of the significance that Cut has on the overall quality and cost of a diamond, it's natural then to try and determine a simple way to tell if a diamond is perfectly Cut. This is where the Hearts & Arrows comes into play. As a side effect of being perfectly Cut, a round diamond will exhibit certain patterns and characteristics. Particularly, when viewed from above (focusing on the Table), the diamond will exhibit a pattern that looks like a circular set of arrows pointing outward. If you were to flip the diamond upside down and look at it from its pavilion, a similar effect would be visible, but this time as small V-shaped hearts.

The important thing to remember when choosing Hearts & Arrows diamonds is that the effect is a byproduct of a diamond that has an Excellent Cut. Because a diamond has an Excellent Cut, it will display Hearts & Arrows. A diamond that displays Hearts & Arrows does not necessarily have an Excellent Cut! It's important to remember this as the effect can be modified to display on a subpar diamond. Thus, it is imperative that a diamond's complete rating be taken into account at all times, not just that it displays Hearts & Arrows.

Should you Buy Hearts & Arrows Diamonds?

We like to think that if a Round Diamond shows clear Hearts and Arrows, then that has the chance of being the ultimate expression of that Diamond. However, because of the added cost of a Hearts & Arrows diamond, we usually do not consistently recommend them. If you are looking for the absolute best example of a diamond, you can freely use this as an added criteria. Both Blue Nile and James Allen have their own in-house designation for such flawless Diamonds. Blue Nile refers to this category as Astor by Blue Nile, and you can search their inventory above. While James Allen refers to their category as True Hearts, and you can search for them below.

However, if, like most, you are trying to balance all the qualities of a diamond to make the most informed and priced conscious decision possible, then this might be an area to avoid.

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