What are Melee Diamonds?

Melee diamonds are small diamonds weighing less than 0.20carats, and are often used to accent larger stones in jewelry, such as engagement rings and wedding bands. Their small size does not deter from their ability to make an impact on the overall appearance of jewelry, adding brilliance and sparkle.

If you're thinking about purchasing a ring with melee diamonds, be sure to keep their quality in mind. Despite their size, low-quality melee diamonds can detract from the overall beauty of a ring.

Here we explore what melee diamonds are, the differences between single cut and full cut melee diamonds. Additionally, we showcase stunning engagement ring settings that highlight the brilliance and functionality of these small but mighty diamonds.

mel·lee - Noun

Officially, the Gemological Institute of America (GIA) defines melee diamonds as diamonds that are less than 0.2 Carats. This is the largest melee diamond available, but they can also be as small as 0.001 carats.

Diamonds are sorted according size and quality, separating them from larger diamonds in melanges, which refer to assortments of diamonds up to 1 carat in weight.

There are many ways in which melee diamonds can be used, from accenting rings and jewelry to surrounding larger stones to augment their appearance.

As melee diamonds are very small, they are not much on their own. But an otherwise plain ring can be transformed into something much more impressive with a group of melee diamonds clustered together.

It is also important to consider the setting of melee diamonds when evaluating their impact. A melee diamond is most commonly set in a pavé, channel, or micro-pavé setting. In each of these settings, the small diamonds are showcased in a unique way:

Pavé Setting: A continuous sparkle effect is created by setting melee diamonds closely together with minimal metal visible. Due to its elegant and timeless appearance, this setting is popular in engagement rings and wedding bands.

Channel Setting: Melee diamonds are set between metal rails, creating a sleek and modern look. Diamonds are well protected in this setting, making it a durable choice for everyday wear.

Micro-Pavé Setting: This setting is similar to a pavé setting, but with even smaller diamonds set very closely together. It gives the jewelry piece an extravagant feel by maximizing the brilliance and sparkle. Setters of micro-pave generally need to work under a microscope.

Most melee diamonds today are cut the same way as larger diamonds. This way, we are able to produce a diamond with 57-58 facets, a perfect downsized version of the type of diamonds used as center stones.

Another type of melee diamond is the Single Cut which is common in antique jewelry. It has 17 facets - 8 on the crown, 8 on the pavilion, plus the table - and is produced by a much simpler cutting process. Single Cut melees don’t have the same fire and sparkle that a Full Cut Brilliant diamond has.

In today's world, single-cut diamonds are not commonly used today. The technology of diamond cutting has advanced to the point where it is no longer necessary to produce Single Cut melee diamonds, except as specialty items such as reproductions of vintage pieces. As a result, Full Cut melee diamonds represent the vast majority of melee diamonds currently available.

As a full-cut diamond requires more precision, time, and loss of carat weight to create a round brilliant cut, it is more expensive than a single-cut diamond.

With melee diamonds, a simple, plain ring can be transformed into something magnificent.

Melee diamonds are perfect to add volume and all-round sparkle, without taking away from the diamond at the center. Below are some impressive examples of how melee diamonds can enhance a design.

Rings with halo settings surround a central diamond with melee diamonds, usually a collection of pavé or micro-pavé diamonds or even colored gemstones. All eyes will be drawn to your center piece due to the accent stones in the halo.

Halo diamond engagement rings are appealing because they can accentuate the size of the diamond. If your center diamond is large, a halo setting will make it appear even more impressive.

But it’s especially beneficial for diamonds under a carat, as the halo can make the diamond appear bigger and fill out the ring finger more fully.

If you're on a budget for your engagement ring, a diamond halo ring can give you the most sparkle for your money.

Petite and precise; this ring showcases a dainty drop halo in a diamond collar design. The band features beautifully cut sparkling melee of F-G color and VS clarity.

Ideal for those who appreciate intricate design and superior craftsmanship, this ring is a true testament to commitment and love.

A true beauty, this sparkling Valoria Rounded Pave Diamond Engagement Ring is set with a beautiful Round Brilliant Diamond Melee.

Each small diamond is carefully selected and placed to create a continuous shimmer, highlighting the central stones perfectly. The rounded pavé setting adds a touch of sophistication and also ensures a comfortable fit, making this ring an ideal symbol of everlasting love and commitment.

Most of the times when you’re buying a ring, there won’t be an opportunity to customize the melee diamonds used for your ring. However, you should still be sure the melee diamonds in your ring are a high quality, or it may end up detracting from the center stone.

Grading reports are available for the center stone, but not the smaller diamonds encircling it. Because of this, some jewelers may make questionable claims about the melee diamonds used in their jewelry, and use low-quality diamonds to cut down on cost. A ring with a lot of melee diamonds, unless they are skillfully set, may need regular maintenance over time. The best way to avoid this is to shop with a reputable jeweler.

While a collection of Brilliant melee diamonds can give an exquisite shine to a ring, you usually want the eye drawn to the larger diamond in the middle. Modern engagement rings come in a wide variety of flattering styles to suit every taste and style. A designer engagement ring can offer you anything from the artistic elegance of the Verragio Rings to a simple solitaire with a striking halo center.

The vast majority of engagement rings are characterized by their center diamond as the focal point, while melee diamonds can enhance that, it is still important to select the most beautiful center diamond you can for your budget. When it comes to diamonds, cut is king. This is because we focus on the sparkle, light performance, and the exceptional beauty of a diamond.

These factors are what creates the optical quality of the diamond and makes them stand out from the crowd. With this in mind, it’s best not to compromise on cut when selecting a diamond for your center stone.

We recommend opting for the best cut that your budget allows for - A CUT ABOVE® Hearts and Arrows diamonds from Whiteflash are widely regarded as among the very finest cut diamonds available, accentuating the very sparkle we’ve come to know and love about diamonds.

We are internationally known for expertise in the field of diamond light performance and cut quality, and for precision cut natural diamonds. But Lab-grown diamonds can also be an excellent way for some shoppers to avoid compromising diamond quality factors while still staying in an affordable budget range.

Each diamond cut has its own beauty and the potential to change the entire look and mood. So whatever you choose, do pick a diamond cut that conveys your own unique sense of aesthetics and style. Their extraordinary beauty is unsurpassed, and when surrounded by high-quality melee diamonds, the effect is divine.

Choosing a design for your engagement ring is a truly exciting decision. Add your own chapter to the halo engagement ring saga with our selection of designer halo settings; Verragio, Tacori, Simon G as well as our own Whiteflash collection are yours to explore.