Hearts and arrows

Hearts and Arrows Diamonds

• Hearts and arrows diamonds originated in Japan in the mid-1980s.
• They are cut to ideal proportions based on Marcel Tolkowsky's book 'Diamond Design.'
• Less than 1% of the world's diamonds are cut to hearts and arrows optical symmetry precision.
• This cut requires additional polishing and results in more waste of the original rough diamond material.
• Hearts and arrows diamonds are more expensive than average cut diamonds.

Hearts and Arrows Viewer

• A hearts and arrows scope is used to see the hearts and arrows pattern in a diamond.
• The scope analyzes the physical symmetry, contrast, and alignment of facets.
• It allows viewing the diamond from both the top (crown) and bottom (pavilion) to reflect light from specific facets and angles.
• The viewer uses white and colored light at set angles to catch and reflect light.
• The hearts and arrows pattern can be observed through the viewer.

Certification and Scientific Research

• In the early 1990s, hearts and arrows cutting was uncommon in America.
• The Gemological Institute of America identified key characteristics of hearts and arrows diamonds.
• HRD, IGI, and WTOCD are laboratories that certify hearts and arrows diamonds.
• HRD developed proprietary software to analyze the images according to H&A guidelines.
• Hearts and arrows diamonds command a price premium due to their better overall cut quality.

Labeling

• There is disagreement in the diamond industry regarding which diamonds should receive the hearts and arrows label.
• The term 'super ideal' is often used to describe diamonds with perfect optical symmetry.
• Most diamonds with an Excellent cut grade will display some hearts and arrows pattern.
• Some believe that only diamonds with a perfect hearts and arrows pattern should be called hearts and arrows.
• Specific guidelines define the components of a hearts and arrows super-ideal cut diamond.

References

• Morse, Tolkowsky, Higuchi, and others have contributed to the development of hearts and arrows diamonds.
• The DNA of hearts and arrows diamonds can be explored.
• The website heartsandarrows.com provides information on hearts and arrows diamonds.
• The H&A Viewer is a tool used to examine hearts and arrows diamonds.
• Additional references and resources can be found for further study.

Hearts and arrows Data Sources