Heart Shaped Diamonds
Browse Heart Diamonds
While the traditional “heart shape” symbolizes erotic love in most Western cultures,
few would argue that it bears any resemblance whatsoever to the actual human heart
(or that of any other creature, for that matter).
Nonetheless, heart-shaped diamonds are probably the ultimate expression of romantic
love, or eros. Heart diamonds are considered on of many “fancy cuts” – diamond shapes
that are asymmetrical and even exotic. There are many different ways to cut diamonds;
heart shapes are among the most popular of the “fancy cut” variety.
Heart Diamonds Begin Their Life as Irregular Gems
Most raw diamonds have an octagonal shape, and in fact, this was the form in which
diamonds were used as adornment for centuries. The reason: it took until the mod-fourteenth
century for mankind to learn how to cut this hardest of natural materials into various
shapes that allowed it to sparkle.
The earliest “brilliant cuts” of the 17th century, known as mazarins, would not
seem particularly sparking to modern eyes. Nonetheless, these early cut diamonds
were starting to show a bit of the fire and brilliance that is prized by collectors
and connoisseurs of fine jewelry today.
While most diamonds lend themselves quite readily to traditional round brilliant
cuts because of their trapezoidal shape, occasionally a diamond cutter runs across
a less-perfect gem. It may be malformed, “twinned” (two crystals joined together),
or have an internal flaw. Such gems are candidates for fancy cuts; a fair number
of them become heart diamonds.
Hearts and Diamonds
No-one is certain how the stylized shape that characterizes heart shaped diamonds
came to symbolize eros in Western culture, although the symbol itself is very old,
going back as far as the time of Alexander the Great. Anthropologists suggest that
it may be a fertility symbol; others suggest it resembles a particular herb that
was used as a contraceptive in the ancient world.
Regardless of its origins, diamonds, heart and gold combine today to create one
of the romantic gifts possible; nothing expresses romance better than and engagement
ring featuring heart shaped diamonds. Normally set in a ring with a prong setting,
heart diamonds inevitably call attention to themselves, and are the perfect compliment
to any woman’s hand.
What to Look For in Heart Shaped Diamonds
When looking at heart shaped diamonds for purchase, make certain that the top lobes
are even and the two halves are as symmetrical and well-defined as possible. A little
color around the edges – pink, red or blue – is completely natural and even desirable..