The heart shape is a modified brilliant cut worked into a symmetrical heart, chosen by clients who want a ring that wears its meaning openly. It is one of the more individual diamond shapes, and a well-cut stone rewards a close look. Our founder came to Hatton Garden in 1999 and still designs and hand-finishes rings this way at our own bench in London, with casting and setting carried out by trusted specialist workshops.
The shape stands or falls on two things: the symmetry of its lobes and the precision of the cleft between them. The two halves should mirror each other so the stone reads as a clear heart from across a room, and the cleft at the top should be crisp and defined rather than soft or rounded. A stone with these qualities looks balanced from every angle.
Carat weight matters more here than with some cuts. We generally suggest around 0.50ct and upward, because below that size the outline becomes harder to read and the heart can resemble a more ordinary round or pear. GIA or IGI certification is available on centre stones, natural or laboratory-grown, so you can judge cut quality on paper as well as by eye.
A heart-shaped stone is most often held by three claws, with a v-claw at the point to protect the most vulnerable part of the diamond and keep the outline sharp. That arrangement secures the stone while leaving the shape open to the light.
Bespoke engagement rings start from £2,000. We will talk through how each choice affects proportion, comfort and the way the heart sits on the hand.
We are a small family-run workshop. Every ring is designed in CAD and hand-finished at our own bench, with casting and setting carried out by trusted specialist workshops. Clients are seen by appointment at our private studio in The Goldsmiths' Centre on Britton Street, a short walk from Farringdon. If you are weighing a heart against other shapes, our solitaire and three-stone pages may help you compare.
Both are real diamonds and GIA or IGI certification is available on either; the difference is origin and budget. A laboratory-grown stone usually buys more size or quality for the same outlay. You can read more on natural diamonds and lab-grown diamonds, and we source stones to your brief and share full grading and detail so you can choose with confidence.
Yes, with the right setting. The point is the most exposed part of the stone, which is why we protect it with a v-claw. Set correctly in platinum or 18ct gold, a heart-shaped ring stands up to daily wear.
If a heart-shaped ring feels right, we would be glad to design yours. Book a consultation at our London studio, or read more about our bespoke engagement rings before you visit.
The heart-shaped diamond is the most overtly romantic shape in the diamond lexicon. It's distinctive, deeply symbolic, and carries a unique emotional weight, making it a thoughtful choice for engagement rings, pendants, and anniversary gifts. The shape also delivers excellent brilliance thanks to its brilliant-cut faceting pattern.
We recommend a minimum of 0.50ct for heart-shaped diamonds. Below this size the distinctive heart silhouette becomes hard to read clearly on the finger, and a heart can look like a round or cushion if too small. For engagement rings, 0.75ct to 1.50ct is the popular range. In pendants 0.30ct+ works well because the outline is displayed clearly.
Yes. The cleft at the top of the heart and the point at the bottom are both vulnerable to chipping without protection. We use V-shaped claws at the point and a claw at the cleft to protect these weak points. Bezel settings offer maximum protection but can obscure the heart's edges. Halo settings both protect and visually boost the shape.
Heart-shaped diamonds are graded on polish and symmetry (not overall cut). Symmetry is especially critical: the two lobes must be equal in size, depth, and facet placement, and the cleft must be centred. Excellent or Very Good symmetry ensures the heart reads cleanly. Look also for bow-tie darkening across the centre, and for a length-to-width ratio between 0.95 and 1.05 for ideal proportions.
Heart-shaped diamonds generally cost 10 to 20% less per carat than rounds of equivalent quality because they are less in demand. A 1.00ct heart-shaped diamond of G colour VS1 clarity typically runs £3,500 to £5,500 in 2026. Set in a bespoke platinum halo engagement ring, expect the finished piece from around £6,500.
Visit our Hatton Garden workshop by appointment, or message us to begin remotely.
We typically reply within four working hours.