Within the gem industry, melee diamonds are extremely sought after for their versatility and value, but analyzing the various diamond setting types further clarifies what makes them so special. Melee diamonds add myriad possibilities to custom jewelry. However, it’s important to be aware of the varying styles to help maximize their design potential. Below, we will discuss different diamond settings, what makes them attractive to buyers, and what jewelers should consider when thinking of design applications for melee diamonds.
Diamond Melee Design Applications
Diamond melee can be defined as diamonds that are less than 0.2 carats, with some reaching as small as 0.001 carats. Melee diamonds are used for a variety of purposes, from bridal designs to custom jewelry such as rings, earrings, necklaces, bracelets, and more.
They are known to add sparkle and shine, especially when grouped together in larger arrangements, making them an intriguing option for jewelers and consumers alike. On top of that, they can be sourced in a wide variety of shapes, clarities, and colors to expertly enhance any custom piece.
Melee diamond applications are numerous, and they are prized among consumers who often want intricate and complex designs in their selected pieces. Additionally, consumers are attracted to the fact that buying individual melee diamonds is often cheaper than buying one large diamond. Pair this with their versatility and ability to look larger than they are (such as in a pavé setting), and it’s no wonder why melee diamonds are just as spectacular as their larger counterparts, and 100% worth the investment.
Diamond Setting Styles
As stated above, the beauty of melee diamonds really comes to life when analyzing the various diamond setting styles. For instance, a halo setting boasts a bigger center stone that is surrounded by smaller melee diamonds. In turn, you get a desirable piece that makes the center diamond appear larger to the eye, with plenty of sparkle and shine.
Pavé is another diamond setting style that carries out this purpose; in this style, multiple melee diamonds are grouped together in a honeycomb pattern of three or more rows for a dynamic appearance. Think of how shiny a large, perfectly cut diamond looks and how well it reflects light, and then imagine an array of smaller diamonds pieced together. That’s even more shine, more elegance, and more brilliance.
In the world of jewelry, prongs have a lot to do with the performance of a finished product. Some different diamond settings aim to capitalize on prong placement and interact with how these pieces of metal actually hold the stones in place. This can be seen in the French V-Split, where split prongs appear to create a scallop shape in order to minimize the amount of visible metal, making the melee diamonds the focal point. Similarly, other diamond setting styles, like surface prong, bar, flush, bezel, bead bright, and fishtail, all differ in how these metal prongs are set with the diamond melee; this can be to create a more streamlined look, to make them flush with the surface, or even to combine shared prongs for an intricate and sophisticated display.
Trusted Diamond Melee Manufacturer
As is the case with other stones, finding a reputable source for melee diamonds is extremely important for jewelers. This is especially true when you consider that creating precision-cut melee diamonds requires a higher level of craftsmanship than that of their larger counterparts (for example, Hearts & Arrows), much in part due to their small size and intricate cutting process.
For decades, Gruneberger Diamond’s exceptional standards and meticulous attention to detail have made our company one of the most prestigious loose diamond dealers in the world. When you buy diamond melee from Grunberger, you can expect impeccable craftsmanship, exquisite design, radiant brilliance, and superior quality.
For more information regarding our melee diamonds, or for any further questions regarding melee diamond applications, contact us today.