What is a Composite Diamond?

December 21st, 2022 / Alese Oldenburg

If you’re in the market for a diamond—whether that be for your dream engagement ring or the ideal pair of earrings for your partner’s birthday—you may have come across the category of composite diamonds.

What is composite diamond? Simply look at the root-word composite. The word “composite” describes something “made up of various parts.” And indeed, a composite diamond is made up of smaller diamonds to form a larger solitaire diamond appearance.

Not only are composite diamonds sweeter to your bank account, but they also help accentuate the natural brilliance of each diamond. Let’s hold a loupe to this question and explore the fine details of composite diamonds.

How Composite Diamonds Work

Composite diamonds are a compilation of many smaller diamonds set very closely together to form a cluster of what appears, to the naked eye, as one large diamond

Composite diamonds can be designed in two ways. The first is the smaller diamond set without any space in between to resemble a larger diamond more closely. Sometimes the smaller diamonds are even fused together.

The second way is for the smaller diamonds to have a small amount of space in between them. The space can be used to create visual interest or, more desirably, enhance the brilliance of the entire piece of jewelry by adding more dimension and direction for light to reflect from.

Advantages of Composite Diamonds

One of the first questions from jewelry buyers weighing their options is about the advantages of a composite diamond versus a singular, one-stone diamond. Selecting a composite diamond piece has many advantages for buyers shopping for a beautiful option with a lower budget.

#1 Affordability

The cost of a diamond vastly increases with its carat weight, and a singular diamond carries much more carat weight than the small diamonds used for composites. This is why many buyers opt for composites. Buying four 0.50-carat diamonds, for example, is much cheaper than buying a 2-carat ring that can cost thousands of dollars.

Composite diamonds also tend to be less expensive because they:

Are typically less rare than mined diamonds
Offer increased durability thanks to a hardening agent
Usually rank at a 10 on the Mohs hardness scale
Can contain a mixture of diamond quality to vary the price

#2 Composition Versatility

A composite diamond ring can be set with different types of stones, such as moissanite, cubic zirconia, and other gems that have the appearance of diamonds. This allows for more versatility in the cut, composite diamond color, diamond fluorescence, shape, and overall style of the composite ring—compared to the limiting singular “you get what you get” diamonds.

#3 Customization Options

Purchasing a ring with multiple small diamonds set into it instead of one means you can use those small stones to develop a design all your own. For example, you could choose a ring with diamonds set in the shape of your partner’s favorite flower or even their favorite animal, with a few striking colors to match. You can even choose the type of metal to use, from 14k white gold, yellow gold, rose gold, or even sterling silver.

Considerations for Composite Diamonds

The promise of composite diamonds are indeed as alluring as their brilliance. But, like all treasures, composite diamonds come with a short list of considerations before wrapping up the jewelry box and taking it home.

#1 Repair

When a composite diamond engagement ring or wedding band is set, they’re often cut to match the rest of the diamonds. If one falls out, finding an exact match tends to be difficult. This can make repair slightly more cumbersome and potentially more expensive.

#2 Shine Variance

Single diamonds have a larger surface area, so they have an equally large ability to reflect, refract, and disperse light. Composite diamonds are smaller, so they only reflect light. This results in a smaller amount of brilliance.

#3 Certification

In order to correctly price diamonds, jewelers will send their diamonds to organizations like GIA and AGS to certify them. Because these certifications cost time and money, many jewelers won’t submit diamonds of less than one carat.

Because many composite diamonds fall into this measurement category, many of them aren’t submitted for certification. As a buyer, this means you won’t necessarily have a guarantee on your jewelry’s 4Cs.

Composite Diamond Buying Tips

If you think you might be interested in calling a composite diamond yours forever, here are a few tips from our experts on shopping for composite diamonds.

Buy from a reputable jeweler – Composite rings take quite a bit of skill to craft, especially with so many small diamonds placed closely together. Buying from reputable jewelry retailers ensures that these intricate details are well cared for and considered.
Ask about the setting – How are the diamonds set into the composite diamond engagement ring or wedding band? Are they glued in, or are they set in with notches? This differentiation will determine how likely it is to get damaged and how difficult it would be to repair.
Calculate every carat – When considering the carat of your composite diamond, sometimes the carats will be added together for the total carat weight of the piece. Know the difference between the carat weight of the individual diamonds and the total carat weight, as it’ll determine the price point.

Another Wallet-Loving Option? Diamond Nexus

It’s no secret that composite diamonds are one option for jewelry shoppers looking for something glamorous on a budget. But if you’re envisioning full, brilliant diamond alternatives that don’t require the extra repair or research, find them in your budget at Diamond Nexus.™

Our lab-created diamond stimulants are expertly crafted to resemble the most beautiful mined diamonds without the heavy price tag. Our curated collection has hundreds of premade or custom diamonds and gemstones in classic and versatile shapes and configurations.

Plus, when you purchase a Diamond Nexus piece, you can rest easy knowing that our jewelry is eco-friendly and ethically made. The only thing left for you to do is wear and admire your new treasure for years to come.

Shop our catalog today.

Sources:

Teach Jewelry. Composite Diamond: What Is It? https://teachjewelry.com/diamonds/composite/

Designed Dream. What is a composite diamond ring? [differences, pros and cons]. https://www.designeddream.com/composite-diamond-ring/