The Complete Guide to Composite Diamonds

 Looking for a large diamond ring without the hefty price tag? A composite diamond ring could be the answer. These show-stopping engagement rings offer the same sparkle and glamour of a large diamond, usually at a lower cost.

What Are Composite Diamonds?

Composite diamonds are small diamonds that have been carefully placed together to create a larger looking diamond. Composite diamonds may be set in a way that makes them appear as one stone or carefully arranged in a design to maximize their beauty or sparkle. 

Jeweler Rahul Sacheti explains that composite diamonds are often set within a ring in just the right way “to convey a larger appearance.” These jewels may also be glued together to form doublets or triplets that are then set the same as a single, larger gemstone would.

Cost of Composite Diamonds

Composite diamonds are usually much more affordable than a full, large diamond as they “allow the execution of complex designs with a lower profile and cheaper upfront cost.” But, while composite diamond rings may seem budget-friendly initially, they could become costly long-term, especially when it comes to maintenance and repairs.

“Future repair costs are an important consideration,” Sacheti explains. “Rings made of composite diamonds may find the buyer in a costly situation if the item needs repair in the future. Finding the appropriate diamonds to replace a missing stone in a composite ring can be costly and difficult.” For example, if your ring involves an invisible setting, you can only repair the piece with notched diamonds, and Sacheti says these are “not kept in big supply by diamond wholesalers.”

Pros and Cons of Composite Diamonds 

The pros of composite diamonds are plentiful, however. Aside from their attractive cost, the design possibilities with composite diamonds are nearly unlimited. Composite diamonds are perfect for creating intricate details. “The clustered designs are always unique and allow for more artistic expression,” Sacheti adds. Still, there are negative aspects to composite diamond rings. First, the potentially high repair costs for a broken composite diamond can negate the savings on the piece and the future value of a composite diamond ring is generally not as clear. Furthermore, the environmental impact on the stones could change the appearance and possibly cause breakage.

Composite Diamond Shopping Tips

When shopping for a composite diamond ring, always consider the future repair costs. Ask your jeweler if the ring incorporates an invisible setting and whether or not the stones in the cluster are notched. You should also ask if there is glass filling in any of the stones. According to Sacheti, when looking at a cluster-style composite diamond ring, it is obvious when the ring is examined with a jeweler’s loupe. The same holds true for bluff stones, however, he says, “Here you are looking for inclusion characteristics rather than metalwork joining the stones. One can see the areas where the stones are glued together.”

“Given the unregulated and emotional nature of the jewelry industry, it is tough to forecast the value of traditional diamonds, let alone composite diamonds,” says Sacheti. “Their value retention as compared to traditional diamonds is nowhere close. However, the components and material values still may allow particular pieces to retain more of their value due to demand.”