Dirty Hearts

[Pradeep126]

I have been looking at different H&A diamonds.I see in SOME of the ''hearts'' pictures, the hearts looks stained, while other diamonds seem to have a clean hearts. I have noticed this across diamonds of different clarity grades. Are the dirty hearts an indicator of inclusions or are they just observational instrument anomalies?. Should, how clean the hearts are? be a factor in the buying decision?

 

[yssie]

Love the term "dirty hearts"



Can be the result of 2 things: poor hearts or poor photography. If you see a promising stone labelled H&A that has poor hearts have them retake the image, it may have been tilted. Sometimes looking at the picture you can make an educated guess about which issue it is, depending on how poorly formed they are, the symmetry of deformation, etc. but if you're uncomfortable just ask for a retake or have a trusted vendor take a look for you.

 

[legallyspoiled]

Date: 4/27/2010 2:48:32 PM
Author:Pradeep126
I have been looking at different H&A diamonds.I see in SOME of the ''hearts'' pictures, the hearts looks stained, while other diamonds seem to have a clean hearts. I have noticed this across diamonds of different clarity grades. Are the dirty hearts an indicator of inclusions or are they just observational instrument anomalies?. Should, how clean the hearts are? be a factor in the buying decision?

I noticed this while I was viewing H&A diamonds at BGD last month. Brian told us that it was the inclusions that we were seeing. Even though the stones were very "eye clean," the inclusions were much more visible under the idealscope.

 

[ChunkyCushionLover]

Date: 4/27/2010 2:48:32 PM
Author:Pradeep126
I have been looking at different H&A diamonds.I see in SOME of the 'hearts' pictures, the hearts looks stained, while other diamonds seem to have a clean hearts. I have noticed this across diamonds of different clarity grades. Are the dirty hearts an indicator of inclusions or are they just observational instrument anomalies?. Should, how clean the hearts are? be a factor in the buying decision?

Perfect hearts are a myth, perfect diamond cutting is a myth as well. I could find assymetry in 90%+ of the hearts images even amongst the top branded lines of PS vendors here. There is usually variation in the LGF lengths so the space in between the heart and the arrow are usually different. Even amongst Brian's HA inventory some are a lot more symmetrical than others and its not just the photography. Most of the appearances though like partial darkening of some of the hearts are really minor things arguably not noticeable in real life.

 

[Dancing Fire]

Date: 4/27/2010 2:48:32 PM
Author:Pradeep126
I have been looking at different H&A diamonds.I see in SOME of the 'hearts' pictures, the hearts looks stained, while other diamonds seem to have a clean hearts. I have noticed this across diamonds of different clarity grades. Are the dirty hearts an indicator of inclusions or are they just observational instrument anomalies?. Should, how clean the hearts are? be a factor in the buying decision?

yes it is,and inclusions are usually dark crystals,and if the dark inclusion are right below the table then the reflections from that inclusion will show on all 8 hearts. if you can see only one spot on one heart then the inclusion is usually near the edge of the stone.

 

[Lorelei]

Date: 4/27/2010 3:49:30 PM
Author: Dancing Fire

Date: 4/27/2010 2:48:32 PM
Author:Pradeep126
I have been looking at different H&A diamonds.I see in SOME of the ''hearts'' pictures, the hearts looks stained, while other diamonds seem to have a clean hearts. I have noticed this across diamonds of different clarity grades. Are the dirty hearts an indicator of inclusions or are they just observational instrument anomalies?. Should, how clean the hearts are? be a factor in the buying decision?

yes it is,and inclusions are usually dark crystals,and if the dark inclusion are right below the table then the reflections from that inclusion will show on all 8 hearts. if you can see only one spot on one heart then the inclusion is usually near the edge of the stone.

Inclusions can sometimes reflect throughout the hearts and it is this you are seeing.

As to the importance of hearts when judging h&a, as a well known expert in these cuts always says " its all in the hearts...." Hence the hearts are very important when judging these diamonds.