Specific
proportions regarding the ideal depth
of a heart shaped diamond have not been
conclusively determined or published
by Gemological Institute of America.
Ideal proportion is more difficult to
establish in a heart shaped diamond
than it is in a round diamond. A round
diamond has a consistent pavilion angle
that makes ideal proportions easier
to establish as a depth percentage.
A heart shaped diamond has a pavilion
that is made of a variety of angles
due to the heart shape variance in length
and width. (See Diagram) |
Select Emerald Cut Diamonds
Within These Ranges
|
total
depth % ---------- 50% - 60% |
table
% ---------------- 50% - 66% |
girdle
thickness ---------Very Thin
- Thick |
cullet
------------------ None - Medium |
polish
------------------ Excellent
- good |
symmetry
-------------- Excellent - Good |
flourescence
----------- None - Faint |
Length
to width ratio --- .9 - 1.2
to 1 |
|
The
depth percentage of a heart shaped diamond
is determined by dividing the depth measurement
by the diameter measurement. Diameter is
determined by measuring a heart diamond's
width from side to side. The longer length
measurement is not taken into consideration
when calculating diameter. By viewing a
heart shaped diamond from the end view you
can see how similar it looks to the proportions
of a round diamond. When you view it from
the side you can easily see how the pavilion
angle is altered due to its longer length.
A small amount of light refracts through
the pavilion of a heart shaped diamond due
to shallower pavilion angles that run towards
its pointed long end.
A heart shaped
diamond has a unique, beautiful shape that
is favored by many women, but a small percentage
of brilliance will be sacrificed for the
beauty of this unique diamond shape. This
brilliance loss is most often seen as a
bow tie effect in the center of the diamond.
The bow tie effect is a result of a small
amount of light leaking through the diamond.
The diagram
illustrates a variety of heart shapes with
bow tie effects showing resulting changes
in appearance due to differing depth percentages
and length-to-width ratios. The bow tie
effect when seen in a actual heart shaped
diamond will be significantly more difficult
to recognize than is illustrated in this
diagram. This diagram serves only as a guide
to approximate bow tie sizes. The bow tie
effect is never as clear and distinct as
shown in this diagram. It is usually seen
as a shadow made up of white and dark reflections.
Gemologists
and diamond cutters agree that a small bow
tie is considered part of the beauty of
this unique and beautiful diamond shape.
Many people make the mistake of attempting
to select a diamond that displays no bow
tie. This diamond will typically have a
very deep pavilion which gives the diamond
a slightly darker appearance within the
entire table facet . This diamond will also
be smaller in size compared to better proportioned
diamonds of equal carat weight. Diamond
cutters and Gemologists agree a heart shaped
diamond with a depth percentage between
50% and 60% delivers the greatest amount
of brilliance while exhibiting only a small
bow tie effect. Heart shaped diamonds below
50% usually produce larger bow tie effects
due to reduced pavilion angles. Heart shaped
diamonds which measure over 62% generally
have a smaller bow tie but appear darker
and smaller overall.
When choosing
your diamond be aware of its length-to-width
ratio. Keep in mind that one heart shaped
diamond may exhibit a larger bow tie effect
than another heart shaped diamond even though
they both have a the same identical weight
and depth percentages due to variances in
length-to-width ratios. Depth percentage
is a percentage of a heart shaped diamond's
width; therefore, a longer one carat heart
shaped diamond which has a length of 6 millimeters
and a width of 5 millimeters with a 65%
depth percentage will have a total depth
of 3.25 millimeters. A shorter, one carat
heart shaped diamond with a length of 5.5
millimeters and a width of 5.5 millimeters
with an equal depth percentage of 65% will
have a deeper total depth percentage of
3.58 or .32 millimeters deeper than
the 5 millimeter wide longer diamond. Heart
shaped diamonds of shorter length and greater
width display a smaller bow tie due to steeper
pavilion angles. It is precisely these
variances that make it difficult to establish
specific or exact proportions that identify
ideal cut in heart shaped diamonds. Our
Certified Gemologist-Appraisers will be
happy to help guide you to the most brilliant
heart shaped diamond your money can buy. |