Heart Cut Gemstones

Wherever a heart shape is present, everyone knows that it's a matter of love. A heart shape represents love and commitment towards a person. They are a popular category especially when it comes to engagement rings. In your blog we have mentioned everything that is there to know about heart-shaped gemstones.

What is Heart Cut?

Heart-shaped gemstones as the name suggests, the gemstones are cut in the shape of a heart. This unique shape features a split at the bottom and rounded tops which is the shape of the symbol of love, the heart! When a well-cut heart-shaped gemstone interacts with light, it creates a captivating display of brilliance and fire.

History and Origin of Heart Cut

The Heart-shaped gemstone first appeared in the late 16th century among the royal families, wealthy and powerful. In 1562, Mary Queen of Scots gifted Queen Elizabeth a heart-shaped diamond. The gift was a token of their friendship and mutual understanding.

It continued to grow in popularity, in between it would come in and out of fashion. Eventually, in the 20th century, technological advancements allowed the creation of the heart-shaped gemstones with precision that we see today. The new technology brought out the best qualities of the heart cut.

In the 1700s and during the Renaissance as well, gemstones (specifically diamonds) were cut by hand using the most basic tools. Over time superior techniques have led to major advancements in the jewelry industry. The first ever heart-shaped gemstone was a diamond.

The heart shape required even more care than the early diamonds because of the carving of the cleft which is situated in the centre of the stone. It was difficult to get it right during that time as the diamond-cutting technologies were not so advanced.

Cutting a Heart Shaped Gemstone

The journey of a heart-shaped diamond begins as a pear shape first. The two look alike in terms of design and faceting. The heart shaped diamond is given a cleft at the bottom which serves as removing an inclusion that would have otherwise made a pear shaped gemstone.

Benefits of Heart Cut

• Distinctive shape- Heart-shaped gemstones are more likely to turn heads than any other gemstone shape. They are considered a distinct shape that is easily able to grab everyone’s attention.

• Closest emotional symbol- The heart-shaped gemstone is considered the closest shape that is present which connects with the emotions and sentiments.

• Bright and Scintillating- The brilliant style facet arrangement leads to the bright and scintillating sparkle which brings all the focus to the ring.

• Less expensive than round shape- Heart-shaped gemstones are less expensive as compared to round shape but provide similar high sparkle and brilliance as that of a round-shaped gemstone.

Cons Of The Heart cut Gemstone Shape:

• Limited shapes to choose from- The choices that are available in the market are limited hence the customers do not have enough to choose from.

• Prone to damage- The heart shape of a gemstone makes it vulnerable to damage as it has a cleft that is pointy and edgy. It is more prone to scratches and chipping off.

• More expensive- A heart-shaped gemstone is much more expensive than any other fancy gemstone shape which makes it not so budget-friendly at times for the buyers.

Identifying a Good Heart Cut Gemstone

• Symmetrical Appearance- Symmetry is one of the most important factors for a heart-shaped gemstone. A well-cut heart-shaped gemstone will have lobes that match the size and shape and have smooth curves that end up at the point. Uneven wings or an undefined point can lead to a disproportionate outline, thus affecting the symmetrical appearance of the heart-shaped gemstone.

• Depth and Table- A heart-cut gemstone also has a flat surface just like other shapes which is known as a table. An ideal heart-shaped must have a table that makes up.

• Wings and Belly- The shape of the sides of a heart-cut gemstone are known as wings and belly. The wings of a heart-cut gemstone should be slightly rounded and not overly bulging to showcase an ideal heart shape for your jewellery.

• Appropriate Ratio- Another identification of a good heart-shaped gemstone is that the length-to-width ratio ranges from 1:1 to 1:1.2. The length of a heart-shaped gemstone is measured from its point to an imaginary line across the tops of the lobes.

• Girdle Thickness- Examining the girdle of a heart-shaped gemstone is extremely important as they are vulnerable to chipping off. It should be thick enough to not get chipped off easily.

The Symbolism of Heart Cut

• Symbol of Love- The heart is a universal symbol of love and so is a heart-shaped gemstone. They are the epitome of deep emotional connections and symbolize love dedication and commitment to a person. Beyond romance. This shape also symbolizes friendship and mutual emotional bonds.

• Cultural Significance- It was because of the Western world that the heart shape is associated with love in today’s time.

Settings Suitable for Heart Cut

• Solitaire Setting- A classic choice that helps the heart-shaped gemstone to become the centre of attention. A single stone paired with a simple and elegant band helps in highlighting the details of the stone.

• Halo Setting- In a halo setting, small gemstones surround the main heart-shaped gemstone, giving it an enhanced look. It adds extra sparkle to the heart-shaped ring.

• Three-Stone Setting- A three-stone setting basically features two extra stones on either side of the main stone. This design is mostly preferred for engagement rings and anniversaries.

• Bezel Setting- In a bezel setting, there’s a metal rim around the gemstone which helps to provide an extra layer of protection to the heart-shaped gemstone. This is the best design for someone who is looking for a contemporary style but at the same time wants to keep it chic.

Ways to Wear a Heart-Shaped Ring

• Feature Brilliance- A heart-shaped ring is suggested to be worn in well-lit environments such as outdoor or evening events which throws a spotlight on them. This results in a high level of brilliance and fire.

• Layering and Stacking- The heart-shaped ring can be stacked with various different minimalist rings or bands that accentuate the main ring without overshadowing the main diamond.

• Matching Metals- Choose a metal type that complements the heart-shaped gemstone. White gold helps in enhancing the brilliance of the gemstone, on the other hand, yellow gold offers classic and warm contrast.

Tips To Buy Heart Cut Gemstones

• Symmetry- The primary factor that has to be kept in mind is the symmetry of the heart-shaped gemstone. Symmetry completely changes the look of a gemstone hence it should be a priority checkpoint.

• Well-defined cleft and point

• Cleft- A cleft is a well is an inward turned point at the top of a heart shaped gemstone that shapes the heart’s lobe. The cleft is considered a distinctive feature that is responsible for the heart shape’s clear visibility from various angles.

• One should always look out for a well-defined cleft and point since if the cleft is not deep enough, then it will look more like a pear shape instead of a heart shape.

• Girdle thickness is also an important factor to consider. The finish of a heart-shaped gemstone’s girdle can significantly affect its light performance and overall appearance. The thickness also determines the durability of the heart-shaped gemstone.

• GIA and AGS Grading- The Gemological Institute (GIA)of America and the American Gem Society(AGS) are renowned for their strict grading systems. Their reports are essential while assessing a heart-shaped gemstone’s girdle thickness. GIA girdle thickness ranges are Extremely Thin, Very Thin, Thin, Medium, Slightly Thin, Thick, Very Thick, Extremely Thick.

• Proportionate Lobes and Wings- Well-shaped lobes are a must when it comes to heart-shaped gemstones. If the lobes or wings are disproportionate or even, in that case, it gemstone won’t look like a heart shape which is appealing to the eye.

• Choosing a larger gemstone- It is always suggested to choose a larger gemstone when it comes to heart cut as it would be difficult to identify the shape from a distance. A larger stone is also better as it is easier to cut and the features of the gemstone would be more visible.