Simple Heart - synthetic rubySimple Heart - synthetic ruby

Simple Heart: Online Faceting Designs and Diagrams


Jeff Graham’s Simple Heart gem design is ideal for small stones. It only needs the bare minimum number of facets for a nice heart shape.

1 Minute Read

Jeff Graham's Simple Heart gem design is ideal for small stones. It only needs the bare minimum number of facets for a nice heart shape — perfect for Valentine's Day.
Simple Heart gem design by Jeff Graham
Simple Heart gem design by Jeff Graham. © 2001.

You can find cutting instructions for the Simple Heart here.

A Simple Solution for Smaller Gems

Simple Heart - synthetic ruby
Simple Heart, 6.48 cts, 11.9 x 11 x 7.1 mm, cut from lab-created ruby by Jeff Graham.

Many faceters have asked me for a very simple heart cut suitable for smaller sized gems. Most available heart-shaped designs (not that there are very many) need to be cut from larger sized gems. While my own SweetHeart design will cut fairly small with no problem, it does have a lot of facets. This "Simple Heart" design has only 44 facets, including the table, just enough for a nice heart outline.

You can follow me step by step as I cut the Simple Heart shown here in this article.

Cutting Remarks

This design is pretty straight forward. The only thing you'll need to be careful about is making sure P1 and P2 line up over the center of the dop when you cut them.

Like almost all hearts, this design has 1-fold symmetry. Because of this, you could cut it to center point but not be centered on the dop. So, when you start, make sure you're cutting it centered. To make centering easier, I have you cut P1 and P2 from opposite directions.

Tip: you can cut the pavilion to a temporary meetpoint at 43° to make the center point equal (over the dop) and then cut the correct angles.

You can cut this design in materials with refractive indices (RI) 1.62 to 1.93 with no changes.

Enjoy cutting your own Simple Heart gem design.

Simple Heart - array
Random - Cosine - ISO

Detailed faceting instructions by Jeff Graham available at The Rock Peddler


Jeff R. Graham

The late Jeff Graham was a prolific faceter, creator of many original faceting designs, and the author of several highly-regarded instructional faceting books such as Gram Faceting Designs.

Latest Articles

More Articles
Classic Engagement Ring StonesPastel purple sapphire</a>, 1.08 cts, 5.8 mm, round cut, Sri Lanka. © <a href=https://www.gemsociety.org/article/online-faceting-designs-diagrams-simple-heart/"https://www.thegemtrader.com/">The Gem Trader</a>. Used with permission." src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7" decoding="async" data-nimg="responsive" style="position:absolute;top:0;left:0;bottom:0;right:0;box-sizing:border-box;padding:0;border:none;margin:auto;display:block;width:0;height:0;min-width:100%;max-width:100%;min-height:100%;max-height:100%;object-fit:cover;object-position:50% 50%"/>

Classic Engagement Ring Stones

Emerald, ruby, sapphire, and diamond are the most popular choices for classic engagement ring stones. Learn more about these traditional...
Read More
Broken Bangle — The Blunder-Besmirched History of Jade Nomenclature: Book Review

Broken Bangle — The Blunder-Besmirched History of Jade Nomenclature: Book Review

Is fei cui a better term for "pyroxene jade" than jadeite? Jeffery Bergman reviews Broken Bangle, a new book on...
Read More
Cuprite Value, Price, and Jewelry InformationJoel E. Arem</a>, PhD, FGA. Used with permission." src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7" decoding="async" data-nimg="responsive" style="position:absolute;top:0;left:0;bottom:0;right:0;box-sizing:border-box;padding:0;border:none;margin:auto;display:block;width:0;height:0;min-width:100%;max-width:100%;min-height:100%;max-height:100%;object-fit:cover;object-position:50% 50%"/>

Cuprite Value, Price, and Jewelry Information

One of the rarest of all facetable gems, cut cuprites can show magnificent deep red color. However, these beautiful stones...
Read More
Gemstone Radiation TreatmentPhoto courtesy of <a href=https://www.gemsociety.org/article/online-faceting-designs-diagrams-simple-heart/"https://www.liveauctioneers.com/">liveauctioneers.com and <a href=https://www.gemsociety.org/article/online-faceting-designs-diagrams-simple-heart/"https://www.liveauctioneers.com/auctioneer/1081/eros-auctions-inc/">Eros Auctions, Inc</a>." src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7" decoding="async" data-nimg="responsive" style="position:absolute;top:0;left:0;bottom:0;right:0;box-sizing:border-box;padding:0;border:none;margin:auto;display:block;width:0;height:0;min-width:100%;max-width:100%;min-height:100%;max-height:100%;object-fit:cover;object-position:50% 50%"/>

Gemstone Radiation Treatment

Gemstone radiation is a common but little understood technique for altering colors. Learn how it works and what gems usually...
Read More

Never Stop Learning

When you join the IGS community, you get trusted diamond & gemstone information when you need it.

Become a Member

Get Gemology Insights

Get started with the International Gem Society’s free guide to gemstone identification. Join our weekly newsletter & get a free copy of the Gem ID Checklist!