Hearts & Arrows (H&A) diamonds represent the absolute pinnacle of diamond cutting. These super-ideal cut round brilliants display a precise pattern of eight symmetrical hearts (visible from the pavilion) and eight perfectly aligned arrows (visible from the crown) when viewed through a special scope. Achieving this pattern requires every facet to be aligned within extremely tight tolerances.
What Is the Hearts & Arrows Pattern?
When you view a round brilliant diamond through a Hearts & Arrows viewer (a simple tube with a colored lens), two distinct patterns emerge:
- Hearts view (bottom): Eight symmetrical, equally-spaced heart shapes radiating from the center. The hearts should be identical in size, shape, and spacing with clear separations between them.
- Arrows view (top): Eight perfectly aligned arrow shafts pointing outward from the center, with arrowheads at the edge and feathered tails meeting at the middle. The arrows should appear crisp and evenly distributed.
This pattern only appears when the diamond’s 57 facets are cut and aligned with extreme precision — well beyond what is required for an “Excellent” cut grade.
How Hearts & Arrows Differs from Excellent Cut
A GIA “Excellent” cut grade covers a range of proportions. Many excellent-cut diamonds will not produce a clean H&A pattern because the tolerances for Excellent allow for slight variations in angles, symmetry, and alignment that are invisible to the naked eye but prevent the precise optical symmetry needed for Hearts & Arrows.
True H&A diamonds typically have:
| Parameter | H&A Range |
|---|
| Table % | 54% – 57% |
| Depth % | 60.5% – 62% |
| Crown Angle | 34° – 35° |
| Pavilion Angle | 40.6° – 41° |
| Symmetry | Excellent |
| Polish | Excellent |
Why Hearts & Arrows Diamonds Cost More
Cutting a Hearts & Arrows diamond requires significantly more time, skill, and rough diamond waste than a standard excellent cut. Each facet must be placed with sub-degree precision, and the cutter may need to sacrifice carat weight to achieve perfect optical symmetry. This additional labor and material loss is reflected in a premium of approximately 10 to 20 percent over a comparable excellent-cut round diamond.
Is It Worth the Premium?
For diamond connoisseurs who appreciate the pinnacle of craftsmanship, Hearts & Arrows represents the ultimate in diamond cutting. The visual difference in face-up performance is subtle to the untrained eye — both H&A and well-cut Excellent diamonds look stunning. But under a scope, the difference is unmistakable, and many buyers find deep satisfaction in knowing their diamond achieves the highest possible standard of optical precision.
H&A diamonds are particularly popular for:
- Engagement rings where the center stone is prominently displayed
- Diamond stud earrings where matched optical performance matters
- Collectors and connoisseurs who value the craft of diamond cutting
How to Verify Hearts & Arrows
Not all diamonds marketed as “Hearts & Arrows” truly qualify. Look for:
- Hearts & Arrows scope images: Ask for actual scope photos showing both patterns. The hearts should be symmetrical with clear gaps between them, and the arrows should be sharply defined.
- GIA or AGS certification: Look for Excellent cut, Excellent symmetry, and Excellent polish as a minimum baseline.
- Video review: A 360° video reveals how the diamond handles light in real-world conditions.
Learn More
To understand how cut quality affects diamond beauty and value, visit our comprehensive diamond buying guide, round brilliant diamond guide, and diamond certification guide.
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