What melee is
In the trade, melee is the small diamond used to accompany a center stone or cover a surface: pavé, micro-pavé, halos, bands and channels. It usually measures between 1.0 and 3.0 mm in diameter and weighs between 0.005 and 0.10 carats.
Calibrated melee has been sorted with a sieve so every stone in the lot has the same diameter, within hundredths of a millimeter. That is what lets the setter work with a uniform pattern.
Approximate mm ↔ carat equivalence (round cut)
| Diameter | Approx. weight per stone | Stones per carat |
|---|---|---|
| 1.0 mm | 0.005 ct | ~200 |
| 1.3 mm | 0.01 ct | ~100 |
| 1.5 mm | 0.015 ct | ~67 |
| 1.8 mm | 0.025 ct | ~40 |
| 2.0 mm | 0.03 ct | ~33 |
| 2.5 mm | 0.06 ct | ~17 |
| 3.0 mm | 0.10 ct | ~10 |
These are market references and vary with cut depth. When requesting a quote, always specify the diameter in millimeters, not just the weight.
Why consistent grading matters
In a piece with 60 melee, a single stone one shade more yellow or with a visible inclusion breaks the effect. That is why at Bamo lots are built with homogeneous color and clarity (for example F-G / VS) and qualities are never mixed within a bag. The client receives the same standard on every reorder.
How to specify a melee order
- Size: diameter in mm (for example 1.5 mm) or sieve range.
- Quality: color and clarity range (for example F-G / VS-SI).
- Quantity: in carats or number of stones.
- Use: pavé, micro-pavé, halo or channel, so we can recommend the right tolerance.
Melee is quoted per carat and delivered in sealed bags labeled with size and quality. If your workshop needs sizes outside the usual range, ask us.