Heart Shaped Diamonds: A Guide to its Brilliance and Romantic Symbolism

When it comes to expressing love through a diamond, is a heart shaped diamond the ultimate symbol of romance, or is it simply a bold statement waiting for the right wearer?

Navigate This Guide:

• Introduction
• 7 Practical Tips for Buying a Heart-Shaped Diamond Engagement Ring 
• The Essence of Heart Shaped Diamonds
• Addressing Common Misconceptions
• Key Considerations for Buying Heart Shaped Diamond Engagement Rings
• Conclusion
• 10 FAQs

Introduction

Planning a proposal has the uncanny ability to turn us true romantics at heart. Suddenly, the rose petals and candles don’t seem so cheesy, while the thought of hiring a Frank Sinatra lookalike doesn’t sound like overkill, and the desire to make the moment as special as possible takes over.

Even if we’ve never given any thought to confetti, flower arches – or even what time the sun actually sets over our hometowns – before, it’s all a part of that bundle every soon-to-be-fiancé finds themselves holding in the build-up to popping the question.

Somewhere along this course, you’ve probably encountered the epitome of romance: the Heart shaped diamond. But, is it a little too much? Or the perfect way to showcase your love for your bride-to-be on her finger?

Before we dive deeper into the specifics, here are some practical tips to help guide your decision-making process:

7 Practical Tips for Buying a Heart-Shaped Diamond Engagement Ring 

When purchasing a heart-shaped diamond engagement ring, there are several key aspects you need to pay attention to. These tips will help you make an informed choice and find a ring that not only looks stunning but also symbolizes your love and commitment.

• Tip 1: Prioritize Symmetry: For a heart-shaped diamond, symmetry is essential. The two halves of the heart must be identical. If the shape is off, even slightly, it can significantly impact the diamond’s appearance and appeal. 
• Tip 2: Ideal Proportions Matter: Look for a length-to-width ratio of approximately 1.00 to 1.10. This ensures that the heart shape is neither too elongated nor too wide, maintaining its classic and balanced appearance. 
• Tip 3: Consider the Setting Carefully to Protect the Point: The point of the heart is the most vulnerable part of the diamond. Choose a setting that safeguards this point from chipping or damage, especially if the ring will be worn daily.
• Tip 4: Be Mindful of Size and Visibility Size for Visibility: Heart-shaped diamonds are best appreciated in larger sizes. If the diamond is too small, the distinct heart shape might not be as visible or impactful, especially from a distance. 
• Tip 5: Evaluate the Diamond’s Color: Heart-shaped diamonds can mask color well. Depending on the setting’s metal, you might be able to choose a diamond with a slightly lower color grade without compromising its appearance, thus saving on cost. 
• Tip 6: Examine the Cut Quality and Brilliance: While the GIA doesn’t grade heart-shaped diamonds for cut, the quality of the cut significantly impacts its brilliance. Ensure that the diamond has a good balance of depth and table to maximize its sparkle. 
• Tip 7: Be Cautious of the Bowtie Effect: Many heart-shaped diamonds display a bowtie effect, a dark area across the center resembling a man’s bowtie. Look for a diamond where this effect is minimal to ensure a more even distribution of light and better sparkle.

Now that you’ve got these practical tips, use Jeweler AI below to find the perfect engagement ring that suits your style and budget:

The Essence of Heart Shaped Diamonds

Possibly the most obvious diamond shape out there, the Heart represents love and commitment through the very symbol of romance itself. There are, however, a few finer details to know before you fall head over heels for this shape.

Aesthetic Distinction

Like the Marquise and Pear cuts, the Heart features a precise point, but it also features a totally unique shape – that of the two curved edges meeting above the diamond’s center.

Not only does this create the unmissable heart shape, but it also means that these diamonds offer a distinctive light performance. A well cut Heart will produce a lot of sparkle as the light moves over its surface.

While a Heart diamond ring will appear pretty modern, diamonds have been cut into heart shapes for hundreds of years – although, at first, they weren’t a symbol of love, but of royalty. These days, however, modern cutting techniques mean that the Heart is far more refined than it once was.

One thing to note – and we will look at this in more detail below – is the fact that these diamonds are not the easiest to get right. Their proportions can all too easy miss the ‘ideal’ ranges that are needed to create the most beautiful cuts possible, meaning that finding a beautiful Heart is not always easy.

And, of course, the elephant in the room: their lack of popularity. It’s pretty uncommon to see someone flashing a Heart shaped diamond ring, primarily because a lot of brides and grooms consider them to be a trend that comes in and out of style, rather than something timeless and classic. 

Heart Shaped Diamonds and Light Performance (Sparkle) 

Heart shaped diamonds create a lot of brilliance and fire.

This cut is an example of what is known as a ‘modified brilliant’ cut, which means that its facet pattern is based on the one found on the very sparkly Round cut.

No modified brilliant diamond, whether an Oval or Pear, Marquise or Heart, will be able to sparkle quite like the Round, so if you’re looking for maximum sparkle you’ll want to focus your search on this shape. However, unless you scrutinize these two cuts side-by-side, then the Heart won’t disappoint with its incredible flashes of white and colored light.

Symbolism in Every Facet

Simple. A Heart diamond means love.

It’s pretty much impossible to miss the symbolic meaning of an engagement ring – let alone one that bears the universal symbol of romance and commitment.

Addressing Common Misconceptions

Misconception 1: Heart Shaped Diamonds AreTacky

No diamond is tacky, although the Heart shape is slightly more divisive than other shapes.

This likely stems from the fact that the Heart takes the romance of engagement and commitment literally, while the other shapes are a little more refined. So, while the heart is the most widely understood symbol of love that we have, many brides and grooms don’t feel as though such a strong symbol is needed on their engagement ring.

The Heart cut certainly has its admirers, though, with Lady Gaga and Gwen Stefani both favoring this shape. What’s more, the heart-shaped Coeur de la Mer – as seen on Kate Winslet’s character, Rose, in Titanic – remains one of the most famous diamonds in cinematic history.

So, no, while Heart diamonds are not a common choice among brides and grooms, they are not tacky.

Misconception 2: Heart Shaped Diamonds are the Most Romantic Shape

This one is totally down to personal preference. For some people, a heart is the most romantic symbol there is, and nothing could be more heart-stoppingly dreamy than a heart-shaped diamond. For others, there’s more power in subtlety. For those people, a diamond like the Marquise, which holds a very romantic history, holds more significance than a heart. 

Key Considerations for Buying Heart Shaped Diamond Engagement Rings

Finding the perfect shaped diamond is only half the battle – the rest lies in making sure that it can be transformed into the perfect diamond engagement ring.

The Pricetag of Love: Evaluating Costs

Considerably cheaper than the most popular shapes, like the Round, although, as always, price depends entirely on cut, clarity, color and carat weight.

Remember how we mentioned that finding a well-cut Heart diamond is not always easy? This is down to a couple reasons – that the Heart is a difficult cut to get right in the first place, and that the Heart does not experience a lot of demand from engagement ring shoppers.

So, while you’ll find plenty of choice if you look specifically at Round, Oval or even Emerald cut diamonds, there will be significantly less choice for the Heart – particularly once you’ve ruled out any diamonds with less-than-ideal proportions.

Nonetheless, the high level of brilliance and fire offered by the Heart shape is pretty effective at masking any minor inclusions, so you’ll be able to save money on a lower clarity grade (while still going for eye cleanliness) like VS2 or SI1.

Designing a Ring Around the Heart

Typically, the Heart is worn so that the point is directed toward the body, so that the heart appears upright when the wearer looks down on it.

The traditional Irish Claddagh ring, a style characterized by a crowned heart held between two hands, is typically worn in this position when the wearer is no longer single. While it is not typical for the Claddagh to be worn as an engagement ring, many people choose to embrace this tradition when wearing other pieces featuring hearts.

There are, of course, no rules when it comes to styling an engagement ring, and they should always be worn in the manner most comfortable to the wearer.

Heart diamonds can make a bold enough statement on their own within a diamond solitaire or cathedral setting but, whichever way they are worn, they can be a little more prone to snagging on clothing than other shapes.

Conclusion

For most people, the Heart diamond doesn’t sit high on their list of priorities, although they do experience waves of popularity every now and again.

There’s nothing wrong or bad about Heart shaped diamonds. It’s just that, for most people, they take that timeless sense of love and romance a little too far in the right direction, so to speak. The result, while beautiful and unique, may not stand the test of time like some of the other, more traditional shapes.

In other words, if you know that the intended wearer has already fallen for the Heart diamond, then it could be the perfect choice. But, unless your future bride has already expressed her love for this divisive shape, it’s probably best to scratch this one off your list and to take a look at some of the more popular diamond shapes out there.

10 FAQs

• Q: Are Heart-Shaped Diamonds More Expensive? 
• A: Heart-shaped diamonds are not inherently more expensive than other shapes. Their price depends on the 4Cs: Cut, Color, Clarity, and Carat. They can sometimes be less expensive than the popular round cut. 
• Q: Is a Heart-Shaped Diamond Ring Considered Tacky? 
• A: No, heart-shaped diamond rings are not inherently tacky. They are a unique and romantic choice, symbolizing love and affection. Personal taste varies, so it’s about finding a style that resonates with you. 
• Q: What Does a Heart-Shaped Engagement Ring Symbolize? 
• A: A heart-shaped engagement ring symbolizes love, romance, and deep affection. It’s a direct representation of the heart as the universal symbol of love. 
• Q: What is the Ideal Length-to-Width Ratio for a Heart-Shaped Diamond? 
• A: The ideal length-to-width ratio for a heart-shaped diamond is around 1.00 to 1.10, ensuring a balanced and proportional heart shape. 
• Q: What Setting is Best for a Heart-Shaped Diamond? 
• A: A setting that protects the pointed end of the diamond is best, such as a V-prong or bezel setting. This helps prevent chipping and enhances the diamond’s overall appearance. 
• Q: How Do You Wear a Heart-Shaped Diamond Ring? 
• A: Traditionally, a heart-shaped diamond ring is worn with the point of the heart directed towards the wearer’s body, symbolizing that the wearer’s heart is taken. 
• Q: Can Heart-Shaped Diamonds Hide Color Well?
• A: Yes, heart-shaped diamonds can effectively mask color, meaning you can opt for a slightly lower color grade without affecting the diamond’s visual appeal, especially if set in yellow or rose gold. 8. 
• Q: What Size Should I Choose for a Heart-Shaped Diamond?
• A: Choose a size where the heart shape is visible and impactful. Generally, larger sizes, starting from 0.5 carats and above, are recommended to appreciate the shape fully. 
• Q: Are Heart-Shaped Diamonds Prone to the Bowtie Effect? 
• A: Like many fancy shapes, heart-shaped diamonds can display a bowtie effect. Look for a diamond where this is minimal to ensure better light distribution and sparkle.
• Q: How to Check the Symmetry of a Heart-Shaped Diamond? 
• A: To check the symmetry, ensure that both halves of the heart are identical. The cleft (top indent) and point (bottom tip) should be well-defined, and the curves of the lobes should be even and matching.

Embrace the Heart’s Journey with JewelerAI. Uncover your perfect heart shaped diamond, where tradition meets innovation.