H&A and the PriceScope Diamond Search

[prs]

I was using the PriceScope diamond search to try to get an idea of the price premium for H&A diamonds. I found the search results omitted all of Blue Nile's "Astor Ideal" diamonds, and that James Allen's "True Hearts" diamonds appear in the results but are not listed as H&A.

Is there a standard cut criteria that diamonds have to meet before they are considered H&A?

 

[rockysalamander]

Hearts and arrows, to the extent there is a agreed definition, is related to the visual symmetry that requires high precision of the cut. So, this very high standard tends to be limited to "super-ideal" and most others are "near" H&A. I've yet to see many JA that look to be full H&A. So, it makes sense as neither of those grades consistently select for real H&A stones.

• "8 equal uniformed symmetrical hearts.
• 8 distinct symmetrical Hearts that separate from the Arrowheads above. If above is correct check the following.
• Check if the hearts are split, measure length of heart then the length of the split.
• Calculate the % of the length split, if it is greater than 8% and there are more than 2 of them IT FAILS".

(from https://www.pricescope.com/journal/hearts_and_arrows_diamonds_and_basics_diamond_cutting)