Considering a diamond engagement ring with a heart-shaped cut? You’ve come to the correct spot!
Within this Twirl Weddings guide, I will provide answers to commonly asked questions regarding heart diamonds. These include inquiries such as:
- How costly are heart diamonds?
- Which jeweler offers the largest selection of heart diamonds?
- What type of ring setting is suitable for a heart diamond?
Best Places to Buy Heart Cut Diamonds
James Allen
James Allen offers a wide range of heart-shaped diamonds in their collection. Presently, they have an impressive stock of over 15,000 heart-shaped diamonds available. These diamonds come in different qualities, with varying clarity, carat weights, and color grades. You have the freedom to select from as small as .30 carats, although I suggest considering larger stones for heart diamonds (I’ll explain why later).
It’s worth noting that the above information is solely about their natural diamonds.
AVAILABLE ON JAMESALLEN
If you’re interested in ethical diamonds, James Allen also offers a limited range of lab-created heart-shaped diamonds. These lab-created diamonds are available in sizes up to 5 carats, but it’s important to note that the selection is relatively smaller compared to their natural diamond collection.
One remarkable feature provided by James Allen is the 360˚ viewing option for their heart-shaped diamonds. This feature allows you to easily rotate and inspect the diamond from all angles using high magnification. The best part is that you can do this conveniently on your phone or computer without having to leave the comfort of your own space.
At James Allen, you can explore approximately 80 unique ring settings designed specifically for heart-shaped diamonds. Their collection of diamond ring styles offers a diverse range of settings, ranging from solitaires to engagement rings adorned with heart-shaped pave settings.
AVAILABLE ON JAMESALLEN
In recent times, James Allen’s reputation has seen a decline due to a significant development. The company is now under the ownership of Signet Jewelers, who also happens to own competing chain retailers such as Jared and Kay Jewelers.
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Even though James Allen and Jared are owned by the same parent company, the pricing of diamonds is distinct and actually more budget-friendly online compared to in-store purchases. Moreover, the online platform offers better quality options.
Due to this advantageous difference, you have the opportunity to utilize the free lifetime warranty included with all engagement rings from James Allen. You can make use of this warranty at specific Jared stores or directly with the home office. This lifetime warranty provides coverage for various diamond ring maintenance needs, including services like re-tipping prongs and rhodium plating for white gold ring settings.
Blue Nile
Blue Nile has been a trusted player in the world of online loose diamonds for a long time. They were the pioneers who entered the scene back in 1999. Since then, they have earned a strong reputation for offering a larger selection of diamonds at lower prices compared to chain jewelry stores.
Their collection of heart-shaped diamonds is extensive and can be compared to what James Allen offers. They have an impressive inventory of over 11,000 heart-shaped diamonds, ensuring that you will find one that suits your preferences. However, please note that not all of them can be viewed from all angles (360˚).
If you have the means to invest in a larger diamond, Blue Nile also offers heart-shaped diamonds up to 13 carats! Quite remarkable, isn’t it?
When it comes to the quality and certification of their diamonds, Blue Nile only deals with the most reputable grading authorities for natural diamonds. Every diamond they sell comes with a grading report from either GIA or AGS, ensuring that you don’t have to worry about purchasing certified diamonds from anyone other than the best.
AVAILABLE ON BLUENILE
Here we have another retailer that falls short when it comes to lab-grown diamonds. Unlike James Allen, who had a limited selection of lab-created heart diamonds, Blue Nile doesn’t offer any loose lab-grown diamonds. However, they do have a small assortment of jewelry featuring lab-created pink and blue diamonds.
Unfortunately, Blue Nile doesn’t provide a free maintenance warranty. While they do offer complimentary inspection and polishing for your engagement ring, you’ll need to send it in. If any prongs require re-tipping, Blue Nile will take care of it, but at an additional cost.
Their service warranty may not be the best.
Nevertheless, the key points to note are that Blue Nile is a trustworthy and legitimate online diamond retailer. While they may not always have the lowest prices, many people prefer them over cheaper online retailers. The majority of shoppers have a positive experience with Blue Nile’s customer service. Furthermore, they have a wide selection of heart-shaped diamonds, perfect for creating a stunning heart-cut engagement ring.
Ritani
If you’re someone who appreciates jewelry, it’s likely that you’re familiar with a renowned engagement ring designer called Ritani. They belong to the same league as well-known names such as Tiffany’s, Chopard, and Harry Winston. As the diamond industry progressed, Ritani expanded their offerings to include loose diamonds alongside their exclusive designer ring settings.
To enhance customer trust and promote transparency in diamond pricing, Ritani introduced a market analysis that clearly explains how they determine their diamond prices. This is a distinctive feature of Ritani, aiming to address the curiosity surrounding the high cost of diamonds.
Honestly, it’s a brilliant idea. People always wonder why diamonds come with such hefty price tags.
Even though their loose diamonds are reasonably priced, the ring settings offered by Ritani are quite expensive. This shouldn’t come as a major shock since designer ring settings generally come with a significant premium. Ritani follows the same pattern.
AVAILABLE ON RITANI
However, it’s worth noting that some of their designs are patented and exclusive to Ritani, making them truly one-of-a-kind. Ultimately, you’ll need to consider whether the selected ring setting fits within your budget.
When considering a heart-shaped diamond ring, Ritani emerges as an excellent option. What sets them apart is the inclusion of a complimentary lifetime warranty that covers all your maintenance requirements, similar to James Allen. This added benefit ensures that you’ll be well taken care of throughout the lifespan of your ring.
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Whiteflash
Whiteflash may have the fewest options when it comes to heart-shaped diamonds among all the retailers on our list, but they are still worth considering. Acquiring a well-cut heart diamond can be quite challenging, but Whiteflash simplifies the process.
It’s important to note that Whiteflash’s diamonds tend to be pricier compared to other average retailers. This is because they specialize in diamonds of exceptional cut quality and superior light performance.
However, it’s worth mentioning that heart-shaped diamonds are generally more affordable compared to other diamond shapes. While an ideal cut diamond from Whiteflash might exceed your budget, you may discover that they offer the most dazzling heart-shaped diamonds instead.
If you’re into shiny and sparkly things, then Whiteflash diamonds are the way to go.
When purchasing heart-shaped diamonds from Whiteflash, you receive both Idealscope and ASET images. These unique images provide detailed information about the quality of the diamond’s cut. They illustrate the amount of white light that enters and exits the diamond, as well as the extent of light that doesn’t reflect back. Light leakage can affect the diamond’s overall light performance, so these images allow you to see firsthand just how exceptional the cutting quality truly is.
If you struggle to distinguish between an Ideal cut diamond and a Very Good cut diamond, you might not find the price difference worth it when compared to other options on our list, specifically at Whiteflash.
The problem is that all the heart-shaped diamonds at Whiteflash are only available for viewing through their Virtual Selection. This means you can’t see a 360˚ view of the diamond or observe it in real time like you can with other retailers. Instead, you have to inquire about the diamond and rely on the information they provide.
It can inconvenience the customers, don’t you agree?
When it comes to warranties, Whiteflash provides customers with the option to choose between the Whiteflash Ultimate Care Plan, available as either a 3-year plan or a lifetime plan. Of course, you also have the flexibility to opt-out if you prefer. The cost of each plan is determined based on the total value of your customized engagement ring.
In addition to their diamonds, the ring settings at Whiteflash are also quite pricey. They offer designer settings that can perfectly match a beautiful heart-shaped center diamond.
Frequently Asked Questions About Heart Cut Diamond
Heart-shaped diamonds are not as widely chosen for engagement rings compared to round brilliant diamonds, which are the most popular choice. They are often reserved for special occasions such as Valentine’s Day and Mother’s Day.
However, there is a growing trend among diamond buyers to opt for unique diamond shapes instead of the traditional round cut. While the heart shape is not commonly chosen as a fancy-shaped diamond, there are still many people who adore it.
This preference for the heart shape is due to its longstanding association with love and romance, making it a symbol of deep affection. It also holds significance in friendships, with a notable historical event involving a heart-shaped diamond being given by Mary Queen of Scots to Queen Elizabeth in 1562 as a symbol of friendship.
To provide further insight, let’s explore some frequently asked questions about heart-shaped diamonds.
Is It More Affordable to Purchase Heart-Shaped Diamonds Through Online Channels?
Typically, buying diamonds online, regardless of their shape, tends to be more cost-effective. However, this general rule may not always apply, as diamond prices are influenced by various factors beyond their shape.
Are Heart-Cut Diamonds Priced Higher Than Other Cuts?
In terms of pricing, heart-shaped diamonds are not among the more expensive diamond cuts. The round brilliant, princess, and oval cuts are examples of fancy shapes that generally command higher prices.
Read More: Best Places to Buy Oval Diamonds Online
In reality, heart-shaped diamonds are considered to be one of the most affordable fancy shapes. Due to their relatively lower demand, the prices of heart diamonds are generally lower as well.
Factors to Consider When Looking for Heart Cut Diamonds
Diamond Grades and Cut Quality
The quality of the cut is crucial for all diamond shapes, not just limited to heart-shaped diamonds. When it comes to heart-shaped diamonds, the cut quality encompasses more than just a basic cut grade. Similar to other fancy cuts, heart-shaped diamonds do not have an official cut grade stated on grading reports.
The only diamond cut that receives an official cut grade is the round brilliant cut. However, there may be exceptions in grading reports from the American Gem Society, which follows a slightly different approach to grading cut quality compared to the GIA (Gemological Institute of America). Both organizations’ grading systems are widely accepted.
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When you’re looking at fancy-shaped diamonds, like heart-shaped ones, online retailers may assign them cut grades. However, it’s more helpful to pay attention to the diamond’s measurements rather than relying solely on the grade. Things like the diamond’s proportions, symmetry, polish, how long and wide it is, and the thickness of the outer edge can all affect how well it’s cut and, therefore, its overall quality.
Key Terms:
Length to width ratio is often abbreviated as L/W ratio in diamond descriptions. The ideal length to width ratio can vary depending on the diamond shape. When it comes to heart-shaped diamonds, the L/W ratio determines how slender or wide the heart appears.
The girdle refers to the outer edge that surrounds the diamond. In general, diamond girdles are usually thin to slightly thick.
If you’re browsing through a catalog, heart-shaped diamonds categorized as Ideal or Very Good are typically the best quality options offered by the retailer.
For heart-shaped diamonds with excellent cut quality, the following recommendations apply:
Length to width ratio (L/W ratio): Ideally between 0.9-1.10, with many considering 1.00 as the perfect L/W ratio for a heart-shaped diamond.
Additionally, it is possible for a heart-shaped diamond to have a length to width ratio of up to 1.2. When the length to width ratio is 1.1, the heart shape will appear longer, whereas with a 1.2 L/W ratio, it will appear wider.
Measurements
- Table size: 53% to 63%
- Depth: 58% to 62%
The size and proportions of your heart-shaped diamond are crucial as they impact how the diamond reflects light. The way the diamond is cut affects its ability to sparkle and can minimize the presence of a shadow called the bow tie effect. Heart-shaped diamonds are susceptible to this bow tie shadow, which can be seen across the surface. However, this shadow is typically less noticeable in heart-shaped diamonds compared to oval or marquise diamonds.
Girdle
A slightly thick girdle is important for a heart-shaped diamond as it helps to enhance the defined edges and overall shape of the diamond.
Clarity Grades
Heart-shaped diamonds can sometimes be referred to as heart brilliant cut diamonds, which is based on the cutting technique used to shape them. Brilliant cut diamonds, including round, princess, cushion, and oval cuts, feature many small facets that enhance their ability to reflect light and sparkle.
One of the advantages of brilliant cut diamonds is that their design helps to minimize the visibility of clarity imperfections. In simpler terms, this means that you can choose a heart-shaped diamond with a lower clarity grade and still save money on your engagement ring without compromising its overall appearance.
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The purpose of a brilliant cut diamond is to reflect a large amount of radiant, sparkling white light. This characteristic is also true for heart-shaped diamonds, making it more difficult to notice minor imperfections within the diamond. Moreover, the specific shape and surface area of a heart-shaped diamond contribute to its favorable appearance.
To illustrate, let’s compare it to a step cut diamond like an emerald cut. Inclusions are more noticeable in the step cut due to its distinct cutting style, unlike the brilliant cut of a heart-shaped diamond. Both diamonds possess an SI2 clarity grade, but the visual impact of imperfections may vary significantly between them.
Read More: Best Places to Buy Emerald Cut Diamonds Online
According to the diamond clarity chart, SI clarity grades indicate that the diamonds may have inclusions visible to the naked eye. Any clarity grade higher than SI is considered “eye-clean,” meaning that the inclusions are not easily visible without magnification. When comparing diamonds with the same grades in other aspects, choosing a lower clarity grade for a heart-shaped diamond can result in less noticeable inclusions, which can lead to cost savings.
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Color
Many individuals claim that brilliant cutting styles allow for the selection of lower color grades for diamonds. However, this is not always the case. The color grade of a diamond is determined by an official chart, but how we perceive color can be subjective.
For example, a heart-shaped diamond with a color grade of H might appear colorless to one person but slightly yellowish to another. According to the GIA color grade chart, an H grade is categorized as near colorless.
Ultimately, the choice of color grade depends on personal preference. The same applies to clarity, although most people prefer diamonds without obvious inclusions. Excessive inclusions on the surface can also compromise the diamond’s integrity.
People have varying sensitivity to color. Those with warmer skin tones may opt for a warmer color grade as it complements their skin tone better. Regardless of the chosen color grade, it does not impact the diamond’s integrity; it is purely an optical preference.
Carat Weight
There are no specific requirements for the carat weight of your heart-shaped diamond. Unlike other fancy shapes, I don’t typically provide a recommended carat weight. In the grand scheme of things, the carat size of your diamond is arguably the least important factor among the 4Cs.
However, this is just my personal perspective.
It’s perfectly fine if you desire a large heart-shaped diamond. However, keep in mind that as you significantly increase the carat weight, the price also goes up. One of the main reasons for this is that larger diamonds necessitate higher color and clarity grades to match their size.
Similar to round-cut diamonds, heart-cut diamonds tend to appear smaller compared to other diamond cuts. So, if having a big diamond is a top priority for you, it’s worth considering an emerald-cut or radiant-cut diamond. These elongated shapes tend to appear larger than a heart-shaped diamond of the same carat weight.
One important thing to consider when selecting a heart-shaped diamond is to avoid going too small in terms of carat weight. It’s generally recommended not to go below 0.5 carats for a heart-shaped diamond. If you opt for a diamond that is too small, the top part of the heart shape becomes less distinct and harder to notice when viewed from above.
Red Flags to Watch for When Purchasing a Heart-Shaped Diamond
We have discussed the important factors to consider when buying heart-shaped diamonds. Now, let’s highlight a few things to be mindful of as you select your ideal heart-shaped diamond.
Engagement Ring Settings
You may discover that finding suitable engagement ring settings for heart-shaped diamonds can be challenging. There might not be as many styles available that perfectly accommodate this shape. Additionally, it’s important to pay attention to the type of setting and prongs used for your diamond.
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When it comes to solitaire engagement rings, the prong setting is a popular choice. It’s essential to ensure that the bottom part of your heart-shaped diamond is well-protected. Many individuals prefer using V-shaped prongs as they cover the entire bottom portion of the heart shape.
However, it’s important to note that this type of prong setting allows less light to enter the diamond compared to other prong styles. Nevertheless, protecting the pointed tip of your heart-shaped diamond is crucial as it is the most vulnerable to chipping. This issue is not exclusive to heart-shaped diamonds; pear-shaped diamonds and marquise-cut diamonds face the same concern.
Grading Report
When browsing online for a loose heart-shaped diamond, you’ll come across more options with grading certificates. While you can still find certified diamonds at local jewelry stores, they tend to be pricier.
It’s worth noting that well-known chain retailers like Zales and Kay Jewelers offer uncertified diamond engagement rings. However, I strongly advise against purchasing diamonds without a grading report from reputable gemological laboratories. When choosing a natural heart-shaped diamond, I recommend opting for GIA certified diamonds or AGS certified diamonds.
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How to Get the Best Deal When Buying Heart Shaped Diamonds
- To ensure your heart-shaped diamond looks its best, aim for a carat weight above 0.5 carats. This helps prevent any distortion in the shape.
- For added protection, consider using a V-prong setting to safeguard the bottom of the heart-shaped diamond.
- When examining a heart-cut diamond, make sure it appears symmetrical when viewed from the top. Poorly cut diamonds can affect both their light performance and overall durability.
- Don’t solely focus on the size or carat weight of the diamond; also consider its cut, clarity grades, and color grades.
- The unique shape and cut of a heart diamond can make certain inclusions less noticeable compared to larger-faced shapes.
- Choosing an online retailer instead of a chain retailer is often a wise decision. Online diamond retailers eliminate intermediaries, offering more affordable diamonds with certifications from trusted gemological laboratories.