GEMSTONE CONSTRUCTIONS PARTICULARLY USEFUL FOR DIAMONDS

Abstract

A gemstone construction, comprising a plurality of individual gemstones assembled together by a common frame to define a composite gemstone unit having a girdle, a crown on one side of the girdle, and a pavilion on the opposite side of the girdle, each of the individual gemstones defining a segment of the composite gemstone unit, and including a girdle segment of the composite gemstone unit girdle, a crown segment of the composite gemstone unit crown, and a pavilion segment of the composite gemstone unit pavilion, the girdle and crown segments of at least some of the individual gemstones having an outer face to serve as the outer face of the composite gemstone unit girdle and crown, the girdle segment of at least some of the individual gemstones having at least one flat, smooth, inner face in contact with a corresponding flat, smooth, inner face of the girdle segment of another individual gemstone in the composite gemstone unit, the common frame engaging the girdle segments of the individual gemstones to press the flat, smooth, inner faces of the individual gemstones into firm contact with each other such that the composite gemstone unit appears substantially seamless to the naked eye.

Description

FIELD AND BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to gemstone constructions. The invention is particularly useful with respect to diamonds, and is therefore described below with respect to diamonds, but it will be appreciated that the invention could also advantageously be used with other gemstones, such as emeralds, rubies, etc.

The value of a gemstone, and particularly of a diamond, increases disproportionately with its size and weight. For example, the value of a diamond of a particular size and weight is considerably more than four times the value of a diamond one-fourth of the respective size and weight. Many “invisible setting” constructions have been devised for mounting a plurality of individual diamonds in a manner to create the impression that they constitute a single diamond, but such “invisible setting” constructions are not only expensive to implement since they require mounting each diamond individually, but they also have varying degrees of success with respect to their “invisibility”.

OBJECTS AND BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT INVENTION

An object of the present invention is to provide a gemstone construction comprising a plurality of individual gemstones assembled together by a common frame to define a composite gemstone unit which, to the naked eye, creates the impression of a single gemstone and which can be mounted as a single gemstone. Another object is to provide such a gemstone construction particularly advantageous for diamonds.

According to a broad aspect of the present invention, there is provided a gemstone construction, comprising: a plurality of individual gemstones assembled together by a common frame to define a composite gemstone unit having a girdle, a crown on one side of the girdle, and a pavilion on the opposite side of the girdle; each of the individual gemstones defining a segment of the composite gemstone unit, and including a girdle segment of the composite gemstone unit girdle, a crown segment of the composite gemstone unit crown, and a pavilion segment of the composite gemstone unit pavilion; the girdle and crown segments of at least some of the individual gemstones having an outer face to serve as the outer face of the composite gemstone unit girdle and crown; the girdle segment of at least some of the individual gemstones having at least one flat, smooth, inner face in contact with a corresponding flat, smooth, inner face of the girdle segment of another individual gemstone in the composite gemstone unit; the common frame engaging the girdle segments of the individual gemstones to press the flat, smooth, inner faces of the individual gemstones into firm contact with each other such that the composite gemstone unit appears substantially seamless to the naked eye.

According to further features in the described preferred embodiments, the pavilion segment of each of the individual gemstones includes a pavilion formed with a culet at its outer tip. The crown of the composite gemstone unit includes a flat table; and the crown segment of each of the individual gemstones is formed with a flat outer surface defining the respective portion of the flat table of the composite gemstone unit, and with at least one flat, smooth inner face in contact with a corresponding flat, smooth, inner face of the crown segment of another individual gemstone in the composite gemstone unit.

In some described preferred embodiments, the common frame engages the complete outer faces of the girdle segments of the individual gemstones. In other described embodiments, the common frame engages only a portion of the outer faces of the girdle segments of the individual gemstones. In all the described embodiments, each of the individual gemstones is of generally triangular configuration.

In one described preferred embodiment, the composite gemstone unit has a girdle of square configuration and is constituted of four individual gemstones arranged in a square array; and the girdle and crown segments of each of the four individual gemstones have outer faces defining together the outer face of the composite gemstone unit girdle and crown, and two flat, smooth, inner faces each in contact with a corresponding flat, smooth, inner face of the individual gemstone on each of its opposite sides in the composite gemstone unit.

In a second described preferred embodiment, the composite gemstone unit has a girdle of triangular configuration and is constituted of four individual gemstones arranged in a triangular array of one individual gemstone enclosed by three individual gemstones; the girdle and crown segments of each of the three individual gemstones have outer faces defining together the outer face of the composite gemstone unit girdle and crown, and a flat, smooth, inner face; and the girdle and crown segments of the one individual gemstone have three flat, smooth, faces each in contact with one of the flat, smooth, inner faces of the three individual gemstones.

In a third described preferred embodiment, the composite gemstone unit has a girdle of rhombic configuration and is constituted of two individual gemstones; and the girdle and crown segments of each of the two individual gemstones have outer faces defining together the outer face of the composite gemstone unit girdle and crown, and a flat, smooth, inner face in contact with each other.

In a fourth described preferred embodiment, the composite gemstone unit has a girdle of trapezoidal configuration and is constituted of three individual gemstones arranged in a linear array, constituted of first and second individual gemstones in an erect position on opposite sides of a third individual gemstone in an inverted position; the girdle and crown segments of each of the first and second individual gemstones have two outer faces and one flat, smooth, inner face, and the girdle and crown segments of the third individual gemstone have one outer face and two flat, smooth, inner faces; the outer faces of the girdle and crown segments of the three individual gemstones together constitute the outer face of the composite gemstone unit girdle and crown; and the two flat, smooth, inner faces of the third individual gemstone are in contact with the flat, smooth, inner faces of the first and second individual gemstones.

In a fifth described preferred embodiment, the composite gemstone unit has a girdle of hexagonal configuration and is constituted of six individual gemstones arranged in a hexagonal array; and the girdle and crown segments of each of the six individual gemstones have outer faces defining together the outer face of the composite gemstone unit girdle and crown, and two flat, smooth, inner faces each in contact with a corresponding flat, smooth, inner face of the individual gemstone on its opposite sides in the composite gemstone unit.

As indicated earlier, the invention is particularly useful with respect to diamonds, in which case the plurality of individual gemstones would be diamonds and would be assembled together by the common frame to define a composite diamond unit.

As will be described below, the composite diamond (or other gemstone) unit constructed from a plurality of individual diamonds (or other gemstones) in accordance with the foregoing features of the invention presents the appearance, at least to the naked eye, of a single diamond unit, thereby enhancing considerably its value. The composite diamond unit can also be handled as a single unit, e.g., for mounting purposes, thereby greatly facilitating and simplifying the mounting and other handling.

Further features and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the description below.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention is herein described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is an isometric view illustrating four individual gemstones, namely diamonds, to be assembled together by a common frame to define a composite diamond unit in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a top plan view illustrating the composite diamond unit when assembled into a square array with the four individual diamonds of FIG. 1 in a common frame;

FIG. 3 is a side elevational view illustrating the composite diamond unit of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a bottom isometric view of the composite diamond unit of FIGS. 2 and 3 but without the common frame;

FIG. 5 is a bottom view illustrating one of the individual diamonds of FIG. 1 used for assembling the composite diamond unit of FIGS. 2-4;

FIG. 6 is a bottom view of the composite diamond unit of FIGS. 2-4, but without the common frame, produced by assembling the four individual diamonds illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 5;

FIG. 7 is a schematical top plan view illustrating another composite diamond unit assembled into a triangular array in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 8 is an isometric view from the bottom of the composite diamond unit of FIG. 7, without the common frame;

FIG. 9 is an isometric view illustrating the four individual diamonds used assembling the composite diamond unit of FIG. 7;

FIG. 10 is an isometric view from the top of the composite diamond unit of FIG. 7 without the common frame;

FIG. 11 is a schematical top plan view illustrating another composite diamond unit, of rhombic configuration, constructed of two individual diamond units in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 12 is an isometric view of the composite diamond unit of FIG. 11 from the bottom;

FIG. 13 illustrates the two diamond units used in assembling the rhombic array of FIGS. 11 and 12;

FIG. 14 is an isometric view of the composite diamond unit of FIGS. 11-13 from the top;

FIG. 15 is a schematical top plan view of a composite diamond unit of trapezoidal configuration, constructed of three diamond units, in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 16 is a schematical isometric view from the top of the composite diamond unit of FIG. 15;

FIG. 17 illustrates the three individual diamonds used in assembling the composite diamond unit of FIGS. 15 and 16;

FIG. 18 is an isometric view from the top of the composite diamond unit of FIGS. 15 and 16;

FIG. 19 is a schematical top plan view illustrating another composite diamond unit, of hexagonal configuration, constructed with six individual diamonds in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 20 is a schematical isometric view, from the top, of the composite diamond unit of FIG. 19;

FIG. 21 is an isometric view, from the top, of the composite diamond unit of FIG. 19; and

FIG. 22 illustrates the six individual diamonds used in assembling the composite diamond unit of FIGS. 19-21.

It is to be understood that the foregoing drawings, and the description below, are provided primarily for purposes of facilitating understanding the conceptual aspects of the invention and possible embodiments thereof, including what are presently considered to be preferred embodiments. In the interest of clarity and brevity, no attempt is made to provide more details than necessary to enable one skilled in the art, using routine skill and design, to understand and practice the described invention. It is to be further understood that the embodiments described are for purposes of example only, and that the invention is capable of being embodied in other forms and applications than described herein.

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

As indicated earlier, the invention is particularly useful, and is therefore described below, for producing a composite gemstone unit from a plurality of smaller individual gemstones assembled together by a common frame. The invention is described below, for purposes of example only, with respect to a number of preferred embodiments utilizing diamonds. In each such embodiment, a plurality of individual diamonds are assembled together by a common frame to define a composite diamond unit having a girdle, a crown on one side of the girdle, and a pavilion on the opposite side of the girdle. Each of the individual diamonds defines a segment of the composite gemstone unit, and includes a girdle segment of the composite diamond unit girdle, a crown segment of the composite diamond unit crown, and a pavilion segment of the composite diamond unit pavilion. The girdle crown segments of at least some of the individual diamonds have an outer face to serve as the outer face of the composite diamond unit girdle and crown. The girdle segment of at least some of the individual diamonds have at least one flat, smooth, inner face in contact with a corresponding flat, smooth, inner face of another individual diamond in the composite diamond unit. The common frame engages the girdle segments of the individual diamonds to press the flat, smooth, inner faces of the individual diamonds into firm contact with each other such that the composite diamond unit appears substantially seamless to the naked eye.

For purposes of example, the invention is described below with respect to a number of embodiments in each of which each individual diamond is of triangular configuration. The described preferred embodiments include embodiments wherein the composite diamond unit is: (1) of square configuration and is constituted of four individual diamonds (FIGS. 1-6); (2) of triangular configuration and is constituted of four individual diamonds (FIGS. 7-10); (3) of rhombic configuration and constituted of two diamonds (FIGS. 11-14); (4) of trapezoidal configuration and is constituted of three diamonds (FIGS. 15-18); and (5) of hexagonal configuration and is constituted of six diamonds (FIGS. 19-22).

The Embodiment of FIGS. 1-6

As indicated earlier, the embodiment of FIGS. 1-6 illustrates a composite diamond unit, best illustrated in FIG. 3 and therein generally designated 100, constituted of four individual diamonds (best seen in FIG. 1) assembled together by a common frame 101, such that the composite diamond unit 100 has a girdle 102; a crown 103 on one side of the girdle which is faceted as shown at 104 and is formed with a flat table 105; and a pavilion 106 at the opposite side of the girdle. Pavilion 106 illustrated in FIG. 3 is actually constituted of four pavilion segments 106a-106d, one for each of the individual diamonds identified as 110-140 in FIG. 1, with each pavilion segment facetted as shown at 107a-107d and terminating in a culet 108a-108d, as will be described more particularly below.

FIG. 1 more particularly illustrates each of the individual diamonds 110-140, assembled together by common frame 101 to define the composite diamond unit 100 of FIG. 3. As shown in FIG. 1, each diamond unit includes a girdle segment 111-141, respectively, of the composite diamond unit 100; a crown segment 112-142, respectively, (FIG. 2) of the composite diamond unit 100; and the above-described pavilion segment 106a-106d. The crown segments 112-142 of the individual diamonds may be faceted. Each crown segment is formed with a flat upper surface 113-143 serving as the table segment of the composite diamond unit table 105 of FIG. 3.

As indicated earlier, each individual diamond 110-140 is of triangular configuration, each including three sides 114-116, 124-126, 134-136 and 144-146, respectively. The outer sides 114, 124, 134 and 144 together serve as the outer face of the composite diamond unit girdle and crown. The two inner sides 115, 116, 125, 135, 136 and 145, 146, respectively, are flat and smooth, and serve as inner faces in contact with each other in the composite diamond unit 100, as shown particularly in FIG. 2.

As further shown in FIG. 1, each of the pavilion segments 106a-106d of the respective individual diamonds 110-140 is faceted on its inner surface 107a-107d, and terminates in its respective culet 107a-107d substantially centrally of this respective pavilion segment.

As further seen in FIGS. 3-4, the common frame 101 engages the outer faces 114, 124, 134, 144 of all the girdle segments 111, 121, 131, 141, to press the flat, smooth, inner faces of the individual diamonds 110, 120, 130, 140 into firm contact with each other such that the composite diamond unit 100 appears substantially seamless to the naked eye. The common frame is preferably made of gold, but may be made of other suitable materials, such as platinum.

It will thus be seen that the composite diamond unit 100 illustrated in FIGS. 1-6 presents the appearance, at least to the naked eye, of being a single large diamond, rather than as a plurality of individual smaller diamonds. The composite diamond unit would therefore have substantially greater value than the four individual diamonds of which it is made. It will also be seen that the composite diamond unit 100 can be handled and mounted as a single unit, thereby substantially reducing the handling and mounting costs as compared to handling and mounting the four individual diamonds 110, 120, 130, 140 of the composite diamond unit 100.

The Embodiment of FIGS. 7-10

FIGS. 7-10 illustrate a composite diamond unit, therein generally designated 200, also constituted of three individual diamonds 210, 220, 230 and 240, each of a triangular configuration. In this case, however, the four individual diamonds are arrayed in a triangular configuration in which three individual diamonds 210, 220 and 230 enclose the fourth individual diamond 240.

As seen particularly in FIG. 10, two of the outer sides, e.g., 214, 215, 224, 225 and 234, 235 of the three individual diamonds 210, 220, 230 have outer faces defining the outer face of the girdle and crown of the composite diamond unit 200, whereas the remaining side, 216, 226, and 236, respectively, has a flat, smooth, inner face each in contact with a flat, smooth, inner face 246a, 246b, 246c of the fourth individual diamond 240.

As further seen in FIG. 7, the common frame 201 (FIG. 7), which press the flat, smooth, inner faces of the individual diamonds into firm engagement with each other so as to produce a substantially seamless appearance to the naked eye, engages only the corners of the girdle segments of the individual diamonds, rather than the complete outer faces of the girdle segments as in the embodiment of FIGS. 1-6.

In substantially all other respects, the composite diamond unit 200 illustrated in FIGS. 7-10 is constructed in substantially the same manner as described above with respect to FIGS. 1-6, and provides substantially the same advantages of that embodiment.

The Embodiment of FIGS. 11-14

FIGS. 11-14 illustrate the invention embodiment in a composite diamond unit 300 having a girdle of a rhombic configuration, consisting of two diamond units 310, 340 facing each other at their common bases. Thus, the composite diamond unit 300 illustrate in FIGS. 11-14 is similar to composite diamond unit 200 illustrated in FIGS. 7-10, except that the two individual diamonds 220, 230 in the composite diamond unit 200 have been omitted.

Thus, the girdle and crown segments of the two outer sides 314, 315 of diamond 310, and the girdle and crown segments of the two outer sides 344, 345 of diamond 340, have outer faces which together serve as the outer face of the girdle and crown segments of the composite diamond unit 300; whereas the girdle and diamond segments of the third side of the two individual diamonds have flat, smooth, faces 316, 346 which are pressed into firm contact with each other so as to present a substantially seamless appearance to the naked eye. In this embodiment, the common frame 301 (FIG. 11), which presses the flat, smooth, faces 316, 346 of the girdle and crown segments into firm contact with each other engage, only the corners of the two triangular individual diamonds.

In substantially all other respects, the composite diamond unit 300 illustrated in FIGS. 11-16 is constructed, and provides the same advantages, as in the above-described embodiments.

The Embodiment of FIGS. 15-18

FIGS. 15-18 illustrate a composite diamond unit, generally designated 400, having a girdle of trapezoidal configuration, constituted of three individual diamonds 410, 420, 430, arranged in a line, wherein the two end individual diamonds 410, 430 are in an upright position, whereas the middle individual diamond 420 is in an inverted position. In this case, the girdle and crowned segments of the two end individual diamonds 410,430, include outer faces 414, 415 and 434, 435, respectively, serving as the outer face of the girdle and crown of the composite diamond unit 400, and a single inner face 416, 436, respectively, which is flat and smooth. On the other hand, the girdle and crowned segments of the middle individual diamond 420 includes but one outer face 424 which serves as the respective portion of the outer face of the girdle and crown of the composite diamond unit 400, and two inner faces 425, 426, which are flat and smooth and are brought into contact with the inner faces 416, 436, of the two end individual diamonds 410, 430. Also in this embodiment, the common frame 401 (FIG. 15), which presses the flat, smooth, inner faces of the three individual diamonds 410, 420, 430, into firm contact with each other, is applied only to the corners of the girdle segments of the three triangular individual diamonds.

In all other respects, the composite diamond unit 400 illustrated in FIGS. 15-18 is of substantially the same construction, and provides substantially the same advantages, as in the above-described embodiments.

The Embodiment of FIGS. 19-22

The composite diamond unit illustrated in FIGS. 19-22, and therein generally designated 500, includes a girdle and crown of hexagonal configuration, and is constituted of six individual diamonds 510-560, each of a triangular configuration. This embodiment is thus similar to that of FIGS. 1-6, except that the girdle is hexagonal rather than square. The angles of the triangles also, of course, would be changed accordingly; that is, in the embodiment of FIGS. 1-6, the angle at the apex would be 90° and those at the base would be 45°, whereas in the embodiment of FIGS. 19-22, the angles at the apex, as well as the base, would be 60°.

As in FIG. 1-6, the outer faces 514, 524, 534, 544, 554 and 564, respectively, serve together as the outer face of the girdle and crown of the composite diamond unit 500; whereas the two inner faces of each of the six individual diamonds are flat and smooth and are brought into firm contact with each other by the common frame 501. As shown in FIG. 19, the common frame 501 engages only the corners of the girdle segments of the six individual diamonds.

In all other respects, the construction and advantages of the composite diamond 500 illustrated in FIGS. 19-22 are substantially the same as described above, particularly with respect to FIGS. 1-6.

While the invention has been described above with respect to producing a composite diamond unit from a plurality of smaller individual diamonds, it will be appreciated that the invention could also be applied to produce other composite gemstones, such as emeralds or rubies. It will also be appreciated that while the invention has been described with respect to several preferred embodiments, such described embodiments are presented purely for illustrative purposes, and that many other variations and applications of the invention may be made.

Claims

1. A gemstone construction, comprising:

a plurality of individual gemstones assembled together by a common frame to define a composite gemstone unit having a girdle, a crown on one side of the girdle, and a pavilion on the opposite side of the girdle;

each of said individual gemstones defining a segment of said composite gemstone unit, and including a girdle segment of the composite gemstone unit girdle, a crown segment of the composite gemstone unit crown, and a pavilion segment of the composite gemstone unit pavilion;

the girdle and crown segments of at least some of said individual gemstones having an outer face to serve as the outer face of the composite gemstone unit girdle and crown;

the girdle segment of at least some of said individual gemstones having at least one flat, smooth, inner face in contact with a corresponding flat, smooth, inner face of the girdle segment of another individual gemstone in the composite gemstone unit;

said common frame engaging the girdle segments of said individual gemstones to press the flat, smooth, inner faces of the individual gemstones into firm contact with each other such that the composite gemstone unit appears substantially seamless to the naked eye.

2. The gemstone construction according to claim 1, wherein the pavilion segment of each of said individual gemstones includes a pavilion formed with a culet at its outer tip.

3. The gemstone construction according to claim 1, wherein:

said crown of the composite gemstone unit includes a flat table; and

the crown segment of each of said individual gemstones is formed with a flat outer surface defining the respective portion of the flat table of the composite gemstone unit, and with at least one flat, smooth inner face in contact with a corresponding flat, smooth, inner face of the crown segment of another individual gemstone in the composite gemstone unit.

4. The gemstone construction according to claim 1, wherein said common frame engages the complete outer faces of the girdle segments of said individual gemstones.

5. The gemstone construction according to claim 1, wherein said common frame engages only a portion of the outer faces of the girdle segments of said individual gemstones.

6. The gemstone construction according to claim 1, wherein each of said individual gemstones is of generally triangular configuration.

7. The gemstone construction according to claim 6, wherein:

said composite gemstone unit has a girdle of square configuration and is constituted of four individual gemstones arranged in a square array; and

the girdle and crown segments of each of said four individual gemstones have outer faces defining together the outer face of the composite gemstone unit girdle and crown, and two flat, smooth, inner faces each in contact with a corresponding flat, smooth, inner face of the individual gemstone on each of its opposite sides in the composite gemstone unit.

8. The gemstone construction according to claim 6, wherein:

said composite gemstone unit has a girdle of triangular configuration and is constituted of four individual gemstones arranged in a triangular array of one individual gemstone enclosed by three individual gemstones;

the girdle and crown segments of each of said three individual gemstones have outer faces defining together the outer face of the composite gemstone unit girdle and crown, and a flat, smooth, inner face; and

the girdle and crown segments of said one individual gemstone have three fiat, smooth, faces each in contact with one of the flat, smooth, inner faces of said three individual gemstones.

9. The gemstone construction according to claim 6, wherein:

said composite gemstone unit has a girdle of rhombic configuration and is constituted of two individual gemstones; and

the girdle and crown segments of each of said two individual gemstones have outer faces defining together the outer face of the composite gemstone unit girdle and crown, and a flat, smooth, inner face in contact with each other.

10. The gemstone construction according to claim 6, wherein:

said composite gemstone unit has a girdle of trapezoidal configuration and is constituted of three individual gemstones arranged in a linear array of two outer individual gemstones in erect positions on opposite sides of an inner individual gemstone in an inverted position;

the girdle and crown segments of each of said first and second individual gemstones have two outer faces and one flat, smooth, inner face, and the girdle and crown segments of said third individual gemstone have one outer face and two flat, smooth, inner faces;

said outer faces of the girdle and crown segments of the three individual gemstones together constitute the outer face of the composite gemstone unit girdle and crown; and

said two flat, smooth, inner faces of the third individual gemstone are in contact with said flat, smooth, inner faces of the first and second individual gemstones.

11. The gemstone construction according to claim 6, wherein:

said composite gemstone unit has a girdle of hexagonal configuration and is constituted of six individual gemstones arranged in a hexagonal array; and

the girdle and crown segments of each of said six individual gemstones have outer faces defining together the outer face of the composite gemstone unit girdle and crown, and two flat, smooth, inner faces each in contact with a corresponding flat, smooth, inner face of the individual gemstone on its opposite sides in the composite gemstone unit.

12. The gemstone construction according to claim 1, wherein each of said individual gemstones is a diamond to define, when assembled by said common frame, a composite diamond unit.

13. A diamond construction, comprising:

a plurality of individual diamonds assembled together by a common frame to define a composite diamond unit having a girdle, a crown on one side of the girdle, and a pavilion on the opposite side of the girdle;

each of said individual diamonds defining a segment of said composite diamond unit, and including a girdle segment of the composite diamond unit girdle, a crown segment of the composite diamond unit crown, and a pavilion segment of the composite diamond unit pavilion;

the girdle and crown segments of at least some of said individual diamonds having an outer face to serve as the outer face of the composite diamond unit girdle and crown;

the girdle segment of at least some of said individual diamonds having at least one flat, smooth, inner face in contact with a corresponding flat, smooth, inner face of the girdle segment of another individual diamond in the composite diamond unit;

said common frame engaging the girdle segments of said individual diamonds to press the flat, smooth, inner faces of the individual diamonds into firm contact with each other such that the composite diamond unit appears substantially seamless to the naked eye.

14. The diamond construction according to claim 13, wherein the pavilion segment of each of said individual diamonds includes a pavilion formed with a culet at its outer tip.

15. The diamond construction according to claim 13, wherein:

said crown of the composite diamond unit includes a flat table; and

the crown segment of each of said individual diamonds is formed with a flat outer surface defining the respective portion of the flat table of the composite diamond unit, and with at least one flat, smooth inner face in contact with a corresponding flat, smooth, inner face of the crown segment of another individual diamond in the composite diamond unit.

16. The diamond construction according to claim 13, wherein said common frame engages the complete outer faces of girdle segments of said individual diamonds.

17. The diamond construction according to claim 13, wherein said common frame engages only a portion of outer faces of the girdle segments of said individual diamonds.

18. The diamond construction according to claim 13, wherein each of said individual diamonds is of generally triangular configuration.

19. The diamond construction according to claim 18, wherein:

said composite diamond unit has a girdle of square configuration and is constituted of four individual diamonds arranged in a square array; and

the girdle and crown segments of each of said four individual diamonds have outer faces defining together the outer face of the composite diamond unit girdle and crown, and two flat, smooth, inner faces each in contact with a corresponding flat, smooth, inner face of the individual diamond on each of its opposite sides in the composite diamond unit.

20. The diamond construction according to claim 18, wherein:

said composite diamond unit has a girdle of triangular configuration and is constituted of four individual diamonds arranged in a triangular array, constituted of one individual diamond enclosed by three individual diamonds;

the girdle and crown segments of each of said three individual diamonds have outer faces defining together the outer face of the composite diamond unit girdle and crown, and a flat, smooth, inner face; and

the girdle and crown segments of said one individual diamond have three flat, smooth, faces each in contact with one of the flat, smooth, inner faces of said three individual diamonds.

21. The diamond construction according to claim 18, wherein:

said composite diamond unit has a girdle of rhombic configuration and is constituted of two individual diamonds; and

the girdle and crown segments of each of said two individual diamonds have outer faces defining together the outer face of the composite diamond unit girdle and crown, and a flat, smooth, inner face in contact with each other.

22. The diamond construction according to claim 18, wherein:

said composite diamond unit has a girdle of trapezoidal configuration and is constituted of three individual diamonds arranged in a linear array, constituted of first and second individual diamonds in an erect position on opposite sides of a third individual diamond in an inverted position;

the girdle and crown segments of each of said first and second individual diamonds have two outer faces and one flat, smooth, inner face, and the girdle and crown segments of said third individual diamond have one outer face and two flat, smooth, inner faces;

said outer faces of the girdle and crown segments of the three individual diamonds together constitute the outer face of the composite diamond unit girdle and crown; and

said two flat, smooth, inner faces of the third individual diamond are in contact with said flat, smooth, inner faces of the first and second individual diamonds.

23. The diamond construction according to claim 18, wherein:

said composite diamond unit has a girdle of hexagonal configuration and is constituted of six individual diamonds arranged in a hexagonal array; and

the girdle and crown segments of each of said six individual diamonds have outer faces defining together the outer face of the composite diamond unit girdle and crown, and two flat, smooth, inner faces each in contact with a corresponding flat, smooth, inner face of the individual diamond on its opposite sides in the composite diamond unit.