Is A Diamond Cluster Ring A Good Or Bad Buy?
Suppose you ever watch a TV shopping channel or go to any branch of Argos. In that case, you will almost certainly see huge diamond rings on sale at remarkably low prices. A one carat diamond for £999?
Firstly, how's that possible?
Second, if it's a natural diamond - yes, please! We'll take two! But is that a bargain? If you're in a hurry, head straight to the final paragraph!
Before you get your credit card out to snag up these fantastic deals, ask yourself this question: Am I buying a 1.00ct diamond or many small diamonds that together weigh 1.00ct? There's a difference, and it makes a big difference when it comes to price and value!
A one carat diamond of the quality in the sweet spot for value/quality (G/SI grade) can easily cost between £5-6000, and that's without the precious metal setting. There must be something wrong if the price is too low, right? Here's the truth, a larger diamond will cost more than a smaller one because larger diamonds are rare.
First, the diamond must be found under the ground. Then the rough diamond must be cut and polished to release its beauty. That's not something that is quickly done or for little money. However, a cluster ring is made up using as many as dozens of very small diamonds clustered together (hence the name) to give the visual effect of a single larger diamond.
A cluster ring with a total diamond weight of 1.00ct will be less expensive than a 1.00ct solitaire diamond ring. The tiny diamonds used to make cluster rings are referred to in the diamond industry as 'smalls'. Usually, they are left over from cutting larger diamonds.
Total Carat Weight vs Carat Weight
The critical thing to look out for is Carat Weight as compared to Total Carat Weight. In a cluster ring, all the diamonds used, in total, weigh the stated weight. In a solitaire, the weight is that of the single, much more expensive diamond. The carat weight of a diamond cluster ring is generally referred to as the Total Carat Weight or, occasionally, the more misleading Guaranteed Carat Weight. In physical stores and online, you will frequently see Total Carat Weight as an abbreviation TCW.
Total Carat Weight is a marketing term, although it is useful to the buyer once you understand what the term means. At All Diamond, we use the term Total Diamond Weight which is the same as TCW. Both jewellers and buyers like to refer to diamond cluster rings made of many small diamonds as a 2.5-carat diamond ring, so always check the diamond weight! What does TCW mean in the real world?
Diamond 3.00ct G/SI Quality 18k Yellow Gold Cluster Ring
$10,798.00
$20,804.00
One of our more striking pieces is this fabulous cluster ring in classic 18k yellow gold. Three whole carats of shimmering diamonds are cut by hand and set securely in a cluster arranged for maximum sparkle and shine. This is… read more
TCW should only be used to compare two cluster rings (or other pieces of diamond jewellery that use many small diamonds such as pavé designs). You cannot compare the TCW of a cluster ring to the weight of a single diamond in a solitaire design. They are not the same thing - however, to be realistic, it is unlikely that a buyer looking at a 1.5-carat cluster ring would be comparing it to a 1.5-carat solitaire. Apart from the cost, they look so very different.
It's All About The Sparkle!
There's more to solitaire and cluster diamond rings. There is a visual difference in the light performance.
Many people like cluster rings because each tiny diamond catches the light as the ring moves, creating a bright twinkling effect. The downside of clustered diamonds is that they are too small to transmit much light. They can only reflect light from their tiny facets.
A solitaire diamond has a much larger surface area that disperses light by reflection and refraction. A solitaire diamond does not simply twinkle. A solitaire diamond does not just sparkle. A solitaire diamond has a scintillating light show with both fire and brilliance.
A larger diamond that has been well cut can appear to have an inner light. More light seems to come from the diamond than is falling on it - that's due to how these larger diamonds refract and reflect light. In contrast, a small cluster diamond only reflects light. Both types of diamond jewellery are lovely to look at. Still, in the final analysis, a well-cut solitaire diamond will always be more attention-grabbing and beautiful than even the best-made cluster diamond design.
1.35ct Tanzanite & Diamond Round Cluster Earrings 18k White Gold
$886.00
$1,497.00
Elegance is the hallmark of these stunning tanzanite and diamond earrings. They are perfect for everyday wear. These gorgeous earrings have a UK hallmarked 18k white gold setting, which is highlighted by 1.15ct of round-shaped tanzanites encircled by a dazzling… read more
Check The Quality!
When you are buying diamond jewellery, make sure that you know what you are getting. That means you should know about the colour grade, the cut quality, the diamond's internal quality, and, of course, the size of the diamond.
Many retailers selling cluster diamond jewellery will only give very general information about the diamonds - if they give any info at all.
At All Diamond, you will always know about the quality of the diamonds in your jewellery! If you do not see what is in the diamond jewellery you buy, how can you tell if it is good value or not? All too often, buyers of diamond cluster rings have no idea what they're buying - we think that's wrong!
Wherever you buy your ring from, you need to ask about, or be told, the following: What is the colour grade of the diamonds? What is the clarity grade of the diamonds? What is the cut quality of the diamonds?
But here's another truth: in small diamonds, these things are not as important as they are in larger diamonds. Yes, cut, colour and clarity are significant in assessing the beauty of a diamond. Still, in tiny diamonds, these things do not have as much effect.
In addition, the smalls used in cluster diamond jewellery do not have certification from GIA or other grading organisations, so you are reliant on the assessment of the jeweller. We always provide a certificate for our larger diamonds. We are very careful about the diamonds selected for our cluster, pavé and halo designs where certificates are not available.
You Buy It Because You Like It!
When you buy a diamond cluster ring, you cannot choose the diamonds that go into the ring. The price you pay is for the whole ring, including the precious metal of the band itself. This means you cannot know how much of the ring's cost is for the diamonds and how much for the precious metal setting.
The reality is that the greater the TCW, the more the ring will cost, even if the diamonds are small. Just remember that 1.00ct TCW is always going to cost less than 1.00ct as a single diamond.
What About Halo Settings?
A Halo setting is a relatively large central diamond surrounded by a cluster of smaller diamonds. Halo designs have become very popular in recent years because they look beautiful at a relatively low cost.
A halo setting makes the central diamond look larger while the larger diamond gives the ring the light show of a solitaire. This makes diamond jewellery with a halo setting the best of all worlds. A halo setting design offers a large looking diamond with an excellent light performance at a lower cost than a solitaire of similar apparent size. A halo setting design is ideal for somebody wanting a large ring but lacking the budget to afford a large diamond.
Certified 18k White Gold Halo Engagement Ring Side Stones 0.40ct G/SI Quality
$924.00
$1,586.00
Our UK craftsmen handcraft this beautiful halo engagement ring to light up the effect 0.40ct of G/SI quality, ethically sourced diamonds on an 18k white gold band. This ring is a great way to accessorize any outfit with a stylish… read more
The Verdict On Cluster Diamond Jewellery Is In!
Are cluster diamond rings a bargain or not? We think that cluster diamond jewellery can be a real bargain if you choose well. Look out for jewellers like ourselves who tell you the quality of the diamonds used. Look for jewellers like All Diamond, who use high-quality precious metal settings with British designs and British artisans, enabling us to offer a lifetime workmanship and materials guarantee.
In our opinion, even better is a halo design where you get the exceptional value and apparent size of a cluster design but with the larger central diamond and the better light performance of a solitaire diamond. Almost all the halo designs we sell come with a GIA diamond grading certificate describing the main diamond and its quality, so you know what you're getting.
Check out our collections of diamond jewellery. We have many lovely diamond cluster and halo designs to choose from, no matter what type of jewellery you are looking for. Please take a few minutes to browse our designs and be inspired!
