hearts and arrows question

[CushionDva]

Are all triple excellent round brilliants essentially a "hearts and arrows" diamond, even if they aren''t labeled as "H&A" diamonds? Also, are "H&A" diamonds sparklier and have more brilliance than just any triple excellent round brilliant diamonds?

 

[SpareMyWallet]

A diamond has to be specifically cut as an H&A. I diamond could be excellent cut according the GIA yet now have H&A.

A diamond could also be cut for H&A, yet display poor arrow, or poor hearts, or both.

Trust a vendor (if shopping online) that can provide an idealscope or ASET image at the least. Try also to get a hearts image.

If shopping locally, you can purchase an idealscope online to take with you to your local jewelers.

 

[stone-cold11]

No. H&A is a measure of optical symm which GIA symm grade do not measure. Also not all stones with great optical symm will display a traditional H&A pattern. Optical symm also has nothing to do with optical performance, a stone can have great optical symm but poor optical performance and vice versa.

A stone with both good optical symm and performance sparklier than just a stone with good optical performance? Maybe, research are still being done by AGS to confirm that.

 

[IceExplorer]

Stone (or anyone),
With that being said - is there still value in subjecting potential candidates to the HCA/ASET/IdealScope/GemEx if they are NOT H&A?

 

[stone-cold11]

yes, HCA/IS/ASET is elimination tool, not selection tool, based on the cut performance of the stone. HCA assumes good symm. IS/ASET looks at the stones for light return performance.