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Heart Shaped Diamond Guide: Proportions, Color and Price
Short answer: a heart shaped diamond is a brilliant cut with two rounded lobes, a cleft at the top and a point at the bottom. Choose one with Excellent symmetry, a table of 55% to 63%, a depth of 57% to 61%, G color, SI1 or VS2 clarity and a weight of at least 0.50 carat.
- Symmetry matters most: both lobes should match, with a crisp cleft and a sharp point.
- In November 2026, a 1 carat natural heart averaged $2,399 on StoneAlgo, the lowest of all ten shapes and 48% less than a round.
- G is the most popular color for hearts on StoneAlgo, and SI1 is the most popular clarity.
- GIA notes that the heart shape works best at one half carat or more, where the outline is easy to see.
- Hearts are rare, so search across many jewelers at once.
What is a heart shaped diamond?
A heart shaped diamond (also called a heart cut) is a fancy shape with two rounded lobes at the top, a V shaped cleft between them and a point at the bottom. Most hearts have brilliant facets, so they sparkle more than many fancy shapes.
Hearts are uncommon. Heart is the eighth most popular shape in StoneAlgo's shopper data, ahead of only marquise and Asscher.
Heart shaped diamond pros and cons
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| A romantic shape with a clear meaning | Under 0.50 carat, the outline is harder to see |
| The lowest average price at 1 carat | Poor symmetry is easy to see, so you must check each stone |
| Brilliant facets hide small inclusions | The point can chip without protection |
| Stands out from more common shapes | Limited selection |
On November 12, 2026, StoneAlgo listed 5,591 natural 1 carat hearts. Search heart shaped diamonds from many online jewelers in one place.
How do you judge a heart shaped diamond?
GIA calls symmetry a key sign of quality in a heart, and says the outline should look like a traditional heart (GIA's heart shaped diamond guide). Check these four points in a photo or video:
| Part | What to look for |
|---|---|
| Lobes | Two rounded lobes of the same size and height |
| Cleft | A clear, centered V between the lobes |
| Point | A sharp point in line with the cleft |
| Outline | A balanced shape that looks neither squat nor stretched |
Choose an Excellent symmetry grade on the report. Then confirm the outline with your own eyes, since the grade cannot show you the shape.
What are the ideal proportions for a heart shaped diamond?
GIA assigns an overall cut grade to round brilliants only. For a heart, the report gives polish and symmetry grades plus the measurements. The ranges below come from the hearts in StoneAlgo's database.
| Measurement | Where most hearts fall | Most common value |
|---|---|---|
| Length to width ratio (as listed on the report) | 0.82 to 0.93 | 0.85 |
| Table percentage | 55% to 63% | 59% |
| Depth percentage | About 57% to 61% | About 59.5% |
| Polish and symmetry | Excellent or Very Good | Choose Excellent |
Heart cut length to width ratio
On StoneAlgo, the most common heart ratio is 0.85, and most hearts fall between 0.82 and 0.93. Treat the ratio as a guide only. A balanced outline in the photo matters more than the number.
Heart cut depth percentage
The most common heart depth is about 59.5%, and most hearts fall between about 57% and 61%. A deeper heart carries more weight below the girdle, so it looks smaller from above.
Heart cut table percentage
The most common heart table is 59%, and most hearts fall between 55% and 63%. For more on both numbers, read how depth and table affect a diamond.
What color and clarity are best for a heart shaped diamond?
Hearts sparkle well and hide color fairly well, so you do not need a colorless D to F grade. Even so, heart shoppers on StoneAlgo lean to higher grades than most buyers. G is the most popular color, followed by F and D.
The brilliant facets also hide small inclusions well. SI1 is the most popular clarity for hearts on StoneAlgo, with VS2 close behind. Check that an SI1 is eye clean before you buy.
| Grade | Best value for most buyers | Step up if |
|---|---|---|
| Color | G | You want a colorless look (D to F) |
| Clarity | SI1 if eye clean, or VS2 | You cannot confirm the SI1 is eye clean from photos or video |
| Symmetry | Excellent | This is the top grade. Very Good is the lowest we suggest |
The diamond color grade guide explains each grade on the GIA scale.
How much does a heart shaped diamond cost?
In November 2026, a 1 carat natural heart cost about 48% less than a 1 carat natural round on StoneAlgo. It had the lowest average of all ten shapes at 1 carat. These averages cover every color and clarity grade listed, so they move with the grade mix.
| 1 carat diamond, November 12, 2026 | Natural, average | Lab grown, average |
|---|---|---|
| Heart | $2,399 | $542 |
| Round | $4,635 | $534 |
The live table below updates with StoneAlgo's price index.
Heart Cut Diamond Prices
Below are prices for Heart Cut diamonds as of November 13, 2026. Prices are based on StoneAlgo's proprietary diamond price index calculation.
| Carat Weight | Price | Price Per Carat |
|---|---|---|
| 0.5 | $670 | $1,340 |
| 1 | $2,405 | $2,405 |
| 2 | $12,267 | $6,134 |
| 3 | $36,417 | $12,139 |
- 0.5 carat heart diamond prices
- 1 carat heart diamond prices
- 2 carat heart diamond prices
- 3 carat heart diamond prices
For a price on one exact set of grades, use the diamond price calculator.
How big should a heart shaped diamond be?
GIA notes that the heart shape works best in diamonds of at least one half carat. In smaller stones, the outline is harder to see once the diamond is set. See the heart diamond size chart for the typical size at each carat weight. StoneAlgo's visual carat weight shows how big each diamond looks from above.
What is the best setting for a heart shaped diamond?
The point is the most fragile part of a heart. A V shaped prong over the point, plus a prong on each lobe, protects the stone and keeps the outline clear. A bezel gives the most protection. The pear cut diamond guide covers the same point protection in more detail.
How to buy a heart shaped diamond
- Set your budget and aim for 0.50 carat or more.
- Search heart shaped diamonds with Excellent symmetry, a 55% to 63% table and a 57% to 61% depth.
- Check each photo or video for even lobes, a centered cleft and a sharp point.
- Run your top picks through the Diamond Check tool to see the visual carat and a price and quality check.
- Put your finalists side by side in the diamond comparison tool.
Frequently asked questions
Are heart cut diamonds a good choice for an engagement ring?
Yes, if you love the shape. Choose at least 0.50 carat, Excellent symmetry and a setting that protects the point. Hearts also cost less per carat than most shapes.
What is the best color for a heart shaped diamond?
G is the most popular color for hearts on StoneAlgo and gives good value. Hearts hide color fairly well, so a colorless grade is optional.
Are heart shaped diamonds expensive?
They cost less than most shapes. On November 12, 2026, a 1 carat natural heart averaged $2,399 on StoneAlgo, against $4,635 for a 1 carat natural round.
What is the most important thing to check in a heart diamond?
Symmetry. The two lobes should match, the cleft should be centered and the point should line up with the cleft.
