What Are Melee Diamonds?
GIA defines that diamonds weighing less than 0.20 carats are considered melee diamonds. However, this size is still relatively large. Many manufacturers, like Milla Exports, produce even smaller diamonds, starting from as tiny as 0.001 carats.
To assort melee diamonds, merchants traditionally use metal plates with multiple holes of different sizes measured in millimetres. The stones are placed on the plate and allowed to fall through the specific hole that matches their size. This is how minus sizes are sorted accurately.
They are precisely cut and used to enhance the brilliance of jewellery pieces. They are usually available in:
Round Brilliant Cut, Single Cut, Full Cut, Calibrated sizes, Machine-sorted assortments
Because of their small size, they are sold in pieces and priced per carat.
| Clarity in Melee Diamonds |
In melee diamonds, it is practically not possible to certify each individual stone like a large solitaire diamond. |
|---|---|
| How Colour Is Graded in Melee Diamonds |
In melee diamonds, color is not graded individually like larger certified stones. Because the stones are very small, they are sorted and sold in color ranges instead of single-letter grades. |
| What Determines Melee Diamond Prices? |
Melee diamond prices mostly depend on: |