Daniel Grunberger

A melee diamonds size chart is a handy tool for determining a stone’s carat weight based on its size in millimeters. Of course, carats are one of the 4Cs (the others being cut, clarity, and color) that jewelers use to establish a gem’s quality, and from there, its value. Melee diamonds–so popular as decorative detailing in pavé and halo settings–can present challenges when purchasing due to their cut, size, details, and scaling price points. 

The following melee diamonds size chart, which offers a mm to carat conversion, can be used as a quick and easy reference when you’re evaluating melee diamonds. It’s important to keep in mind, however, that the cut of the stone matters, too—diamonds of a similar size can have different weights depending on how well or how poorly they are cut.

Melee Diamonds: Millimeter to Carat Conversion

What is the Typical Diamond Melee Size?

Melee diamonds, as can be seen on the melee diamonds size chart above, vary dramatically in size from stone to stone. Basically, any diamond weighing less than 0.2 carats is considered a melee diamond, and well-suited for whatever detailing purposes a jeweler might have in mind. 

Why is a Millimeter to Carat Conversion Size Chart Helpful?

The popularity of melee diamonds has never been higher. For consumers, the dazzle and radiance that melee diamonds bring to a piece of jewelry—such as an engagement ring or anniversary band—are unrivaled. 

From a jeweler’s perspective, these tiny stones provide the opportunity to create the kind of unique and intricate designs so sought-after by the jewelry-buying public, while at the same time providing a margin-increasing boost to the piece. That’s what makes a melee diamonds size chart so helpful: by doing a quick mm to carat conversion, you can easily calculate the additional value that these gemstones bring to an item. 

Can Same Carat Stones Be Different Sizes?

Most certainly. Typical jewelry buyers think about diamond size in terms of “carats,” but that’s a measurement of weight, not dimension. It’s quite common to have two diamonds that are the exact same carat weight that are sized completely differently. A long diamond, for instance, will appear much larger than a rounded stone, despite having the same carat weight. When it comes to melee diamonds, the cut of the gemstone plays an especially critical role, as a poorly cut diamond can hide extra weight below the girdle, giving a piece much less radiance than its carat weight might indicate. 

Grunberger Diamonds: A Cut Above the Competition

Grunberger Diamonds is the world’s largest supplier of ideal-cut melee diamonds, with sizes ranging upwards from 0.60 mm (that’s 0.001 ct according to our melee diamonds size chart). When you purchase diamonds with us, you can rest assured that our stones have been tested using state-of-the-art technology, and that they are precision cut and expertly polished, guaranteed to deliver an unforgettable sparkle. Also, because our process shaves off more weight from parts of the stone that go unseen, our melee diamonds weigh less than similarly sized stones offered by our competitors! 

Contact us today to see for yourself why Grunberger Diamonds, with our exquisite collection of specialized melee stone sizes, is one of the most trusted and prestigious loose diamond dealers in the world. 

If you’ve ever pondered the question, “how are diamonds cut,” this guide will fill you in on some valuable information regarding the process, and why a diamond’s cut is perhaps the most important of the 4 Cs used to determine its grade. 

It’s well known that diamonds are among the hardest substances on earth. That’s why it takes diamonds to cut other diamonds–the tools that we use to shape these raw stones into jewels are often either diamond-bladed or feature an edge of diamond dust. 

The signature shapes of diamonds that we see in jewelry are not found naturally. Achieving the finished shape of the stones involves a rigorous process that even gem enthusiasts may not know in its entirety. From big diamonds to small ones, here’s a brief look into how diamonds are cut, and what that means for the quality of the stone.

Types of Large Diamond Cuts

There are two primary types of cuts for a large diamond: step cut and brilliant cut. Before a master cutter makes any alterations to a rough stone, they must evaluate its inclusions, or flaws, to determine what cut will be better, and if brilliance can be achieved. A cutter will also use carat weight to determine this outcome. 

The standard pattern we’ve come to correlate with diamonds is an octahedron shape, meaning it has eight faces, twelve edges, and six vertices. This shape is perfect for brilliant cuts because it doesn’t lose a lot of carat weight in the cutting process, and exquisitely refracts light bouncing off the stone. On the contrary, a step cut is typically utilized to create a rectangle or square shape with parallel lines running on the length and width of the diamond. This tends to draw the eye to the center of the stone, which in turn makes the diamond look like it has “steps,” giving it its name.

How Are Small Diamonds Cut?

So how are small diamonds cut, and how does the process differ from larger stones? Perhaps the best place to begin is by answering that question with another question: “what are small diamonds called?” And that answer would be the unsung heroes of the jewelry world, melee diamonds.

Compared to larger stones that often act as the main centerpiece for rings and other jewelry items, melee diamonds are significantly smaller in size. In fact, their size ranges from as large as 0.2 carat to as small as 0.001 carat. It’s almost mind-boggling to consider how these tiny diamonds can be cut to perfection, but technology has made the once laborious process much easier to achieve. 

Still, achieving feats like the Hearts and Arrows diamond, one of the most sought after cuts in the jewelry world, requires extreme precision done by only the most renowned cutters. These cuts make up less than 1% of the ideal cut diamonds in the world, and for good reason. We’ll get more into those shortly.

The two standard methods for cutting small melee diamonds include:

• Full Cut – A full, brilliant-cut diamond features 57 or 58 facets, and is designed to maximize the interaction of light within a stone, ensuring it displays as much brilliance and fire as possible. These stones can be used for engagement rings, necklaces, earrings, and other items where multiple melee diamonds can be placed together to achieve an elegant shine.
• Single Cut – These diamonds have 17 or 18 facets, and still display a pronounced shine, but much less of a fiery effect. They are quite popular in the production of watches, but have lost appeal in other aspects of the jewelry industry.

What Are Hearts and Arrows Diamonds?

A Hearts and Arrows diamond is a precision-cut round diamond that, like the name suggests, showcases eight arrows in the face-up view, and eight small hearts in the pavilion view. Often referred to as having a super-ideal cut of a traditional 57 faceted round brilliant cut diamond, these stones boast optimal symmetry, which maximizes the light handling potential of the facet arrangement. 

Since a diamond can be thought of as a collection of mirrors, the Hearts and Arrows design is optimized for light performance when bouncing between facets. In turn, their brilliance and fire is unparalleled to other cuts, and they remain one of the most desirable gems in the industry.

Grunberger Diamonds

As one of the world’s premier producers of melee diamonds, Grunberger Diamonds has brought four generations of passion, precision, and experience to the industry. We understand that perfection is key when it comes to fine jewelry–that’s why our company checks every single stone before shipping them out to ensure that they meet our strict Hearts and Arrows pattern guidelines. We cut our diamonds in Vietnam and maintain strict consistency among the stones we provide, making it easier for jewelers to craft stunning pieces. 
Learn more about what makes our diamonds so unique, or contact us today for any questions regarding our products or services.

When it comes to using melee diamonds, value is, of course, in the eye of the beholder. However, there are also very tangible ways that these small stones can increase the value and appearance of diamond jewelry and make custom pieces more profitable for jewelers. And to understand why this is, you have to understand the true worth of melee diamonds and the advantages they provide for jewelry business owners and their customers.

Melee Diamonds Meaning

A melee diamond is a small diamond that weighs in at 0.20 carats or less. But what these small stones lack in size they more than make up for in beauty. High-quality melee diamonds are cut with just as much precision as larger diamonds. They can be sourced in a wide variety of shapes, clarities, and colors to expertly enhance any custom piece. For example, with 40 distinct clarity and color combinations, Grunberger Diamonds offers jewelers unbeatable variations at affordable price points to fit their budgets. Not only that, but these melee diamonds boast expert precision and superior quality.

Value of Small Diamonds for Jewelry Businesses

The use of melee diamonds can make or break the overall appearance of the jewelry. That’s because melee diamonds’ worth goes far beyond simply adding a bit of additional sparkle.

Some of the highest value drivers of melee diamonds include:

• Versatility – Because of the available variations in melee diamond cuts, customers are able to use them to enhance any piece of jewelry. This provides the customer with more options and the jeweler with more opportunities for adding additional diamonds to pieces and getting more value out of the order.
• Complementary appearance. Melee diamonds serve to complement and showcase larger stones, which can turn a simple design into a true showstopper. Adding these smaller stones is one of the best ways to increase the real and perceived value of jewelry and is an easy upsell when someone is investing in a one-of-a-kind piece.
• Affordability – The smaller size of melee diamonds may make them a more affordable option for customers who are interested in a custom jewelry diamond for an engagement ring or other piece but do not necessarily have the budget for a larger stone. For jewelers, this means more people coming in the door and the ability to sell to a broader range of customers.
• Overhead accommodations – Running a jewelry business is not cheap, especially considering the thin markups on most custom pieces. Melee diamonds allow jewelers to create more stunning, more cost-effective jewelry without additional cost on the back-end. This means less overhead costs and more profit.

All jewelers want to be able to provide the maximum amount of value to their customers. Melee diamonds allow you to do just that, all without the need for exorbitant upfront costs or significantly more complicated or time-intensive designs. And considering how beautiful these small but impactful stones can be, there is really no reason not to use melee diamonds to enhance the pieces you create and provide your customers with all of the sparkle they expect when they invest in a custom diamond piece.

Keep in mind that prices and quality for melee diamonds can vary widely. This makes it important to work with a supplier that understands the importance of quality cuts and can provide melee diamonds that don’t just improve the look of custom pieces but that will also stand out in their own right. 

As a leading diamond manufacturer and supplier, Grunberger Diamonds is here to provide you with the ultimate in melee diamond quality and precision so that you can boost customer satisfaction and increase the value of your creations. Visit our service page to get started and open an account, or contact us directly to learn more about our melee diamonds and how they bring additional value to your business. You can also quickly request a quote online.

Melee diamonds are among the most precious gems in the industry, but due to their cut, size, details, and scaling price points, it can be challenging to know what’s best for you. This melee diamonds guide will cover every aspect of these gems such as sizing, cuts, and quality factors, ensuring you know exactly what to expect and evaluate when exploring jewelry options.  

Melee Diamonds Definition

So what is a melee diamond, and why are they surging within the industry? The melee diamonds definition refers to diamonds that are less than 0.2 carats in size. Used mainly for detailing purposes, melee diamonds are best and most typically used in these settings: pavé, halo, and side stone. Melee diamonds come in 2 types of cut: single and full.

Single Cut Melee Diamonds

This cut refers to vintage round diamonds, as there are 17 single-cut diamond facets. These cuts tend to flash and draw attention with larger faces that catch and reflect light for an elegant shine, and showcase less of a glittering or fiery effect. While single-cut melee diamonds are rarely used in modern times due to the rising popularity and ease of crafting full-cut melee diamonds, they are still in use within the watch industry.

Full Cut Melee Diamonds

As opposed to single cut, full cut melee diamonds have 57-58 facets, which means they share similarities with the standard brilliant round cut. Due to the number of facets, full-cut melee diamonds are able to catch and reflect light at a higher number of angles while moving. These unique angles all reflect the light a little bit differently, leading to a captivating and fiery display. Boasting radiant reflections of light and color, this cut is favored by most jewelry crafters

Ideal Cut “Hearts and Arrows” Diamonds 

With the ability to bring out the best a diamond has to offer, ideal cut diamond proportions expertly crafted in the Hearts and Arrows design are among the most unique and desirable diamonds in the world. Hearts and Arrows melee diamonds account for less than 1% of the world’s ideal cut diamonds and are meticulously crafted to display a collection of miniature mirrors, bouncing light internally within the diamond and out to the eye. This display then showcases a pattern of eight perfect hearts and arrows within the cut and has the effect of making the diamond appear larger and more appealing than those of comparable sizes. Since crafting Hearts and Arrows diamonds is such an extensive and difficult process, most suppliers of this cut are among the most reputable and knowledgeable in the entire industry.

Grunberger Diamonds: Expert Clarity and Color Melee Diamond Combinations at Affordable Prices

Grunberger Diamonds is the world’s largest producer of ideal cut melee diamonds, with a collection boasting exquisite features and unique combinations. Featuring our perfect Hearts and Arrows, including specialized sizes 0.60 MM to 4.29MM, we are the melee diamonds supplier jewelers trust most. In addition, we carry over 40 different color/clarity combinations that give jewelers plenty of options when it comes to price points. In other words, as clarity and color often dictate price points, our wide collection helps esure more options and thus more affordable prices as compared to other melee diamond suppliers. 

With more than 75 years of excellence passed down through four generations of Belgian cutters, Grunberger Diamonds maintains its place amongst the world’s most renowned diamond suppliers. Moreover, Grunberger Diamonds is consistently proud to uphold a level of quality, excellence, and precision in the production and distribution of diamonds that remains rare to this day. 
For more information regarding our Precision cut diamonds, full-cut melee diamonds, and other high-quality stones, contact us today!