Here is an excellent learning stone.  I generally do not call in diamonds with these particular proportions (you will learn why in just a second), so this stone is being scanned in for educational purposes.

This is a stone being marketed as an H&A stone, and while we would not sell it as such (see H&A pics below), it does exhibit excellent symmetry. However, there are a few things to be learned from this diamond:

1. There are a ton of diamonds being marketed as H&A that simply do not make the grade.

2. A physical analysis with photographic evidence is necessary.

3. Not all H&A's have the same brilliance, fire & scintillation in direct light conditions.

4. Not all H&A's have the same (contrast) brilliance in diffuse/ambient light conditions..

This diamond is an AGS "0" 1.23 ct. F VS2.  I LOVE purchasing 1.2xct F VS2's for inventory as they are generally fast movers.  Had there been some redeeming quality in the optics of this stone, it would stay here and we would encourage customers to purchase it.  However, this is a real miserable rock for an AGS "0".  :-P

Let's begin with its external cut analysis.  It does have AGS "0" ideal polish, symmetry, and proportions; however, this is a stone that falls too much within the steep/deep combo of crown and pavilion angles.

Here is the MegaScope analysis:

Here are the Sarin scans:

External Cut Analysis:

Sarin: 

To view this diamond's Sarin analysis, you'll need the Sarin Web Viewer which you can get at this link.  You only need to download and install this once and you do need Microsoft Internet Explorer version 5.0 or higher.

Virtual Model:

When you click on this diamond's virtual model and go to the "idealscope" image, you can plainly see a big ring of leakage taking place under the table.  Light leakage = less brilliance.

Download GemAdviser 

Optical Cut Analysis:

Hearts & Arrows Pictures:

The stone does exhibit strong symmetry, and were an amateur to look at this diamond, he would swear it was an H&A.  Two of the reasons that disqualify this diamond as a true Hearts & Arrows stone are the discontinuity in the shape of the hearts in that they are not all the same size due to varying lower girdle facet lengths, and too much of a cleft in the 11:00 heart.

LightScope Analysis

LightScope analysis reveals the dreaded "ring of death".  The "ring" is the large area of leakage as observed under the table of this diamond.  Granted, I've seen worse, but this is a good example of what NOT to get in an H&A.  The BrillianceScope results confirm this LightScope analysis.

ISee2 Results:

Isee2 results reveal a decrease in contrast (how black the blacks are and how white the whites are).  Under the table we can see a lot of gray matter affecting contrast brilliance, which also directly affects the amount of points of contrast affecting scintillation in diffuse/ambient light conditions.  Note the highest bar is in the "symmetry" category, which is what the stone *does* have going for it, but the other factors make it a reject.

BrillianceScope:

Some of the worst BrillianceScope results you'll ever see in an (almost) H&A.