Pure Carbon. The hardest known naturally occuring material and since ancient times the most highly regarded and prized colorless gemstone.

Many of the worlds greatest diamonds have resided in private royal collections or State crown jewels, unfortunately for us non-royals. However several are available for viewing in museums around the world. Those of you visiting London have an opportunity to see the biggest colorless faceted diamond, the Star of Africa, an incomparable 530.20ct pear shaped gem, that resides in the Royal Scepter, which is housed in the Tower of London vault. Also known as the Cullinan I, it was cut from a 3100ct rough diamond. Several other very large diamonds were also cut from this piece, the Cullinan II is a 317ct cushion cut that resides in the Imperial Crown used for State coronations, and again on view in the Tower.

Today, the art & science of cutting has progressed to a previously un-obtainable level.

Hearts On Fire has spear headed this progress, investing hugely in the technology of vibration free cutting, in order to produce the highest levels of perfomance in terms of light interaction. Bottom line, these round diamonds are simply the best looking available. 50% of a polished diamond's value comes from the cutting quality. Don't skimp here!

Other shapes that have endured over the years are known as fancy shapes. Diamond cutters have been quite creative, and depending upon the shape of the rough crystal, have been able to conjure up some amazing polished shapes. Horse heads, crosses to name a few!

We suggest square diamonds cut as either a Dream, by Hearts on Fire for sheer perfection in brilliance, and for a classic elegant enduring look an Asscher cut, which is rather a specific square to very very slightly rectangular emerald cut diamond with a small table (the top facet) and a high crown ( the area above the girdle or edge) and an open culet ( the little facet on the very bottom)