Heart Diamond
Discover the romantic heart shaped lab-grown diamond for your engagement ring. Aurela Diamonds' guide covers ideal proportions, symmetry, and how to choose the perfect heart diamond.
The heart shaped diamond is the ultimate symbol of love rendered in crystallised carbon. Its distinctive lobed top and pointed base create the universally recognised silhouette of a heart, making it the most emotionally expressive diamond shape available. While some buyers consider it a niche or whimsical choice, a well-cut heart diamond of appropriate size is a genuinely stunning stone that combines the brilliant-cut sparkle of a pear or round with a silhouette that leaves no doubt about the sentiment behind it.
The heart shape is technically one of the most challenging cuts to execute well. It requires exceptional symmetry between the two lobes, a well-defined cleft at the top, and a clean, centred point at the bottom. Even minor asymmetries are easily detected by the human eye because we are all instinctively attuned to the balance of the heart symbol. This demanding craftsmanship means that the gap between a beautiful heart and a mediocre one is wider than in almost any other shape.
At Aurela Diamonds, we curate our lab-grown heart diamonds with exacting standards for symmetry and proportion. We understand that choosing a heart shape is an inherently personal and romantic decision, and we ensure that every stone in our collection delivers on that emotion with flawless symmetry, bright brilliance, and the visual impact that makes the heart shape worth choosing. Our Vancouver team helps buyers navigate the proportional nuances that make the difference between a heart that thrills and one that disappoints.
History of the Heart Cut
The heart shape has ancient symbolic roots in jewellery, but the heart-shaped diamond as a faceted gemstone is a more modern development. The earliest recorded heart-shaped diamond dates to 1463, when the Duke of Milan described one in a letter. Mary Queen of Scots famously sent a heart-shaped diamond ring to Queen Elizabeth I in 1562 as a token of goodwill. These early examples were rudimentary by today's standards, lacking the precise faceting that modern cutting technology allows.
The modern heart brilliant emerged in the 20th century as advances in diamond cutting technology made the shape's demanding symmetry requirements achievable at commercial scale. The brilliant-cut facet arrangement was adapted to the heart outline, combining the romantic silhouette with the light performance that modern buyers expect. While the heart has never rivalled the round, oval, or princess in sales volume, it maintains a devoted following among romantics who want their diamond to be an unambiguous declaration of love.
Heart Diamond Characteristics
Pros & Cons
+Advantages
- The most romantically symbolic diamond shape, carrying unmistakable emotional meaning
- Brilliant-cut faceting delivers strong sparkle and light performance
- Unique and uncommon, ensuring the ring is distinctive and personal
- A well-proportioned heart faces up slightly larger than a round of the same carat weight
- Makes a powerful statement as a centre stone, pendant, or anniversary gift
-Considerations
- Extremely dependent on symmetry; even minor imbalances between the lobes are easily visible
- The heart shape is not easily distinguishable below approximately 0.50 carats, so it works best in larger sizes
- The point at the base is vulnerable to chipping and requires a V-prong setting
- May be perceived as too whimsical or novelty by some buyers
- Limited mainstream setting options compared to more popular shapes
Best For
Recommended Ring Settings
Solitaire
A solitaire lets the heart's romantic silhouette speak for itself. Three or five prongs with a V-tip at the point showcase the shape while keeping it secure.
View Guide →Halo
A heart-shaped halo amplifies the size and defines the shape's outline with additional sparkle, which is especially helpful in carat weights below 1.50 where the heart form can be less pronounced.
View Guide →Hidden Halo
A hidden halo adds brilliance from the side view while keeping the top-down heart silhouette clean and uncluttered.
View Guide →Buying Tips for Heart Diamonds
Symmetry is everything in a heart shape. The two lobes must be identical in size and curvature, the cleft should be clearly defined, and the point should be perfectly centred. Reject any stone with visible asymmetry.
We recommend a minimum of 0.70 carats for a heart shape, and ideally 1.00 carat or above. Below this size, the heart outline becomes difficult to distinguish, and the shape loses its impact.
A V-prong or V-tip setting at the pointed base is essential to protect the most vulnerable part of the stone.
Look for a length-to-width ratio close to 1.00 for a classic, well-proportioned heart. Ratios above 1.10 appear narrow, and below 0.90 they look wide and stubby.
Lab-grown hearts offer excellent value, allowing you to reach the larger carat sizes where this shape truly shines without exceeding your budget.
Frequently Asked Questions
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