The short answer: choose a heart if you want a bold, personal, romantic statement, and a pear if you want a softer shape with similar curves that is easier to wear every day. Both are brilliant cuts with a point at the base.
Heart and pear shaped diamonds are cousins. Each has a pointed tip and a rounded top, and the main difference is the cleft in the heart. That one detail changes the look, the setting and the care. Here is how they differ.
Side by side
| Heart | Pear | |
|---|---|---|
| Top | Two lobes with a cleft | Smooth rounded end |
| Statement | Very expressive | Subtle and romantic |
| Points to protect | The point and the cleft | The point |
| Size needed to read well | Larger stones show the shape best | Reads well at most sizes |
| Everyday feel | Distinctive | Versatile |
The shape in detail
A heart needs enough size for the cleft and the lobes to be clear, and smaller hearts can look more like a rounded pear. A pear keeps its elegant teardrop outline at any size, which makes it flexible. Both shapes vary in proportion, so a wider heart looks softer and a narrower one looks more elongated.
Symmetry and the bow tie
Both shapes depend on good symmetry. In a heart, the two lobes should match and the cleft should sit in the centre, or the shape can look lopsided. In a pear, the shoulders should curve evenly to the point. Pears can also show a bow tie, a darker band across the middle of the stone. Our guide to the bow tie effect explains what to look for, and we show you each stone on video before you choose.
Protecting the stone
A heart has two vulnerable areas, the point and the cleft. A V claw at the point and a claw or bezel section at the cleft protect them. A pear has one point to protect with a V claw. Both can be set to wear well, and we show you the claw positions in a render.
Settings
Both suit solitaires, halos and bezels. A heart in a bezel gives a bold graphic look, and a pear in a halo is very romantic. See settings for a heart shaped diamond and settings for a pear shaped diamond.
Meaning and personality
A heart is a direct symbol of love, and it suits people who like to express that openly. A pear is more understated, with a graceful outline that suits many styles. If you want something with meaning but quieter, a pear may be the better fit.
Pendants and earrings
Both shapes are also lovely as pendants and earrings, and some people choose a pear ring with a heart pendant, or the other way round. A pendant faces fewer knocks than a ring, so it can suit the more delicate heart.
Metals
Rose gold is a popular match for both, since it adds a soft, romantic tone. Platinum and white gold look crisp, and yellow gold gives a warm, vintage feel.
Natural or lab grown
Both shapes come as natural or lab grown diamonds. Both are real diamonds, and we label every stone clearly.
How to choose
- Decide how bold you want the statement to be.
- Choose the size and proportion.
- Plan the protection for the points.
- Look at both in real light.
You can compare stones in diamonds and lab grown colourless diamonds. Nothing is made until you approve the design in writing, and our standard making time is 5 to 6 weeks, which can vary with your location and how busy we are. Pieces start from £600. See also our diamond shapes guide.
Frequently asked questions
Is a heart harder to wear? It needs careful protection, but it is suitable for wear.
Which is more traditional? The pear, though both are romantic.
Can a pear be set point down? Yes, for a modern look.
Does a heart look smaller than a pear? In small sizes it can, which is why a larger stone often shows the shape best.
Do hearts have a bow tie? They can, though it is usually less noticeable than in a long pear.