Glossary

Heart-shape (cut)

A modification of the popular brilliant cut, a heart-shaped cut diamond features a cleft (between the lobes) and wings, which sweep to a point, echoing the silhouette of a heart. The length to width ratio of a classic heart-shape cut diamond is 1, and most heart shaped diamonds should be at least 0.5 carats — any smaller and it becomes difficult to see the cleft and point. The cut of a heart shape does, however, mask inclusions, so can be cut from a diamond of a lower clarity grade than a brilliant cut diamond.