Symmetry above everything. The two lobes should be the same size and height, the cleft between them distinct and centred, and the point directly opposite that cleft. A heart that is even slightly lopsided reads as wrong immediately, and nothing in the setting corrects it.
What is the minimum size for a heart shaped diamond?
Below about 0.50 carat the outline becomes hard to read once set — from a normal viewing distance it can look like a round with a notch. Half a carat is a practical floor, and larger reads far more clearly.
What length-to-width ratio should a heart have?
Close to 1.00, meaning as wide as it is long. Narrower looks pinched; wider looks squat. There is much less acceptable range here than with other fancy shapes.
How should a heart shaped diamond be set?
With a V-prong protecting the point and prongs at the outer edge of each lobe. The cleft should be left visible — covering it with metal destroys the only feature that makes the shape legible.
Do hearts show a bow-tie?
They can, across the widest part of the lobes. It is usually less pronounced than in a marquise or pear, but it is worth checking in video before buying.
What clarity should I look for in a heart?
VS2 or better is a safe choice. The cleft area draws the eye, so an inclusion near the centre of the stone is more noticeable here than the same inclusion would be in an oval.
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