What is the difference between Hearts and Arrows and GIA Excellent Cut diamonds?

Question

What is the difference between Hearts and Arrows and GIA Excellent Cut diamonds? Should i ONLY be buying Hearts and Arrows? Are GIA excellent cut diamonds good for nothing? How much premium should i pay for hearts and arrow diamonds?

Answer 1

In regards to your question of hearts and arrows compared to a GIA excellent cut diamond I will have to say that you cannot compare the two fairly. Hearts and Arrows were first discovered accidentally by a successful japanese jeweler in the 1980's while observing the optical beauty of round brilliant diamonds through a special scope (now known as the hearts and arrows viewer). Through his research he found that out of thousands of diamonds that he saw very few had the internal heart and arrow pattern he discovered. His observations also showed him that hearts and arrows occur because of the exact precision and symmetry of a diamond resulting in the precise overlap of facets that cause the patterns associated with H&A diamonds. Very soon Japanese firms started pursuing the cutting of round brilliants to reflect this phenomenom and the rest of the world caught on. How does this affect beauty? A faceted diamond acts as a prism. The more accurate the symmetry and proportions the better the diamond will bounce around and reflect the light rays that strike it. This leads to overwhelming brilliance and fire that we associate with the most attractive diamonds. Therefore we can say an H&A diamond will be exceptionally beautiful because of it's perfect symmetry. I would like to say most definitely; it will have an excellent cut grade when submitted to a lab for a report. While viewing an H&A diamond through a scope that reflects the internal optical symmetry of the diamond, the viewer should be able to see a set of perfect arrows (usually 8) when looking at the table face up, and when the table is face down the viewer should see a set of perfect hearts (usually 8 also). The patterns must be very precise, symmetrical and clear to be considered H&A. Arrows that disappear or hearts that are broken cannot be considered H&A, also if the sizes of arrows and hearts are different I would be a little reluctant to call it H&A also (make sure you are viewing it completely flat and centered and not tilted in any way). In regards to GIA excellent cuts like I said above they cannot be compared fairly although one can definitely complement the other. GIA has spent the last decade or more compiling information in regards to a diamonds cut. Because of their studies on tens of thousands of diamonds they are able to set a wide range of proportion matches that can result in a breathtakingly beautiful stone. Excellent cut grades basically mean that a diamonds cut and proportions perform optimally and are very desirable. It does not necessarily mean that all Excellent cut graded diamonds will have H&As. Keep in mind that GIA's range of proportions for an excellent cut are much broader than what the common proportions and cut are for an H&A diamond therefore within excellent cut grades there will also be a slight range to fire and brilliance (I sometimes wonder if the naked eye can even differentiate the slight differences). This does not mean that an excellent cut diamond will not be as beautiful as an H&A diamond. What I will say is each diamond should be evaluated independently with personal preference playing a big role in one's decision. Also premiums will depend on the branding of an H&A diamond. What I mean by this is that; Is the H&A diamond you are considering from a company such as hearts on fire? or is it just a general diamond cut with precise symmetry that has H&As?? If it is by a diamond company with a branded cut then you will be paying a premium. If it is a general diamond with a hearts and arrow pattern then you shouldn't be paying as much as a branded cut. However excellent cut diamonds are more expensive and a lot more rare in general then the normal "good" cut grades. I hope this clarifies your questions and good luck to you!!

Answer 2

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RE:

What is the difference between Hearts and Arrows and GIA Excellent Cut diamonds?

What is the difference between Hearts and Arrows and GIA Excellent Cut diamonds? Should i ONLY be buying Hearts and Arrows? Are GIA excellent cut diamonds good for nothing? How much premium should i pay for hearts and arrow diamonds?

Answer 3

Hearts And Arrows Diamond Prices

Answer 4

Hearts And Arrows Cut

Answer 5

"Hearts and Arrows" describes the visual effect that an Excellent cut grade creates in a diamond. It isn't a particular type of diamond, as much as that retailer wants you to think it is!

You shouldn't pay any premium for a "Hearts and Arrows" diamond, vs the price of an excellent cut grade stone. Don't let them rip you off like that.

Find an independent jeweler, and let them show you with your own eyes.