Buying market price and appraisal of melee diamonds The truth you need to know before giving up because it's not worth it
SELBY ─ KOMEHYO GROUP
Mere diamond purchase price and appraisal
Mere diamond purchase price and appraisal
Before you give up thinking it's not worth it
The truth you need to know
Selby, the Komehei Group's only jewelry specialist company,
I will honestly tell you about the appraisal, market price, and tips for selling mele diamonds at a high price.
“Mele diamonds are priceless.”
Have you ever been asked this?
When I had my eternity ring appraised, it was only the price of the bullion.
I was told that the melee diamond part of the pave ring would be treated as 0 yen.
I was refused because I couldn't buy small diamonds.
When purchasing jewelry, this is the most common problem regarding melee diamonds.
Certainly, the main character of a diamond is the large stone in the center. The small melee diamonds that strengthen the sides tend to be treated like an "extra". But it isThe problem with the evaluation power of purchasing storesis often the case.
If you evaluate mele diamonds correctly,1 koku several hundred yen to several thousand yenworth it. If it is an item like an eternity ring that uses dozens of stones to more than 100 stones, only mele diamonds are required.Tens of thousands of yen to hundreds of thousands of yenIt is not uncommon for cases to be rated as .
In this article, we will introduce Komehei Group's only jewelry specialty company.selbyHowever, we will honestly tell you from the perspective of a professional appraiser about the purchasing market price of melee diamonds, the appraisal system, tips for selling at a high price, and even disadvantages and points to note that are not often talked about at other stores.
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What is Meledia? ──Not a “supporting role” but a “leading role as a collective”
Melee Diamond is derived from the French word "Melee" which means "small group".0.2ct or lessRefers to small diamonds. Generally, it is often used to refer to stones smaller than 0.1 ct, and is useful in designs with multiple stones lined up, such as eternity rings, pave rings, and tennis bracelets.
General size of melee diamonds
Diagram: Comparison image of four levels of melee diamond sizes (not actual size)
| Name | Estimated weight | Approximate diameter |
|---|---|---|
| Very small melee | 0.005~0.01ct | Approximately 1.0~1.3mm |
| Small melee | 0.01~0.03ct | Approximately 1.3~2.0mm |
| Medium Mele | 0.03~0.07ct | Approximately 2.0~2.6mm |
| Large mele | 0.07~0.2ct | Approximately 2.6~3.8mm |
Reasons why melee diamonds do not have certificates of authenticity
Figure: Relationship between diamond certificate issuance standards and melee diamonds
Diamond grading reports are generally0.2ct or moreApplies to round brilliant cuts. Since melee diamonds are small in size and it is not cost-effective to evaluate each of the 4Cs individually, it is standard practice that a certificate of authenticity is not issued in the first place.
In other words,It's not that "Mere diamonds don't have a certificate of authenticity = their value will drop," but that it's normal that they don't have a certificate of authenticity.That's it. However, if there is a purchasing store that says, ``I can't give you a price because I don't have an appraisal,'' that may be due to a lack of ability to appraise the item.
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Purchasing price for melee diamonds | Approximate price per stone/1 ct
The purchase price of Mere Diamond isUnit price per ct (charagai) x total number of caratsIt is generally calculated as
Purchase amount = total number of carats × unit price per 1ct
Example) 0.01ct x 30 stones = 0.3ct
0.3ct × unit price 10,000 yen/ct = Purchase amount 3,000 yen
0.3ct × unit price 10,000 yen/ct = Purchase amount 3,000 yen
Market guideline for unit price per 1ct
Figure: Estimated purchase price per 1ct of melee diamonds by quality rank
| quality rank | Approximate unit price per 1ct | Features |
|---|---|---|
| High quality (H&Q grade) | 20,000-40,000 yen | The highest grade melee used in high-end brand engagement rings, etc. |
| White (colorless to almost colorless) | 10,000-20,000 yen | Unbranded but good quality |
| standard | 5,000-10,000 yen | General jewelry melee |
| Color treat (treated) | 2,000-10,000 yen | Color treated |
| Brown/Low cut accuracy | 1,000-5,000 yen | Mele with a yellowish/brown taste |
| single cut nuts | Several hundred to 1,500 yen | Many old mele carbons |
💡 Selby Assessment Disclosure Policy
For both in-store and home delivery appraisals, we disclose the breakdown by diamond, bullion, and accessories. This is an appraisal that shows you "why this price is given."
Converted to 1 stone
For example, if one mele stone of 0.01ct is calculated at a unit price of 10,000 yen/ct.1 koku 100 yen, if the unit price is 20,000 yen/ct1 koku 200 yenIt becomes. "Several hundred yen per stone" may seem small, but if an eternity ring uses 30 stones or a tennis bracelet uses more than 50 stones, then just melee diamonds can be used.Thousands of yen to tens of thousands of yenwill be evaluated.
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5 points that affect the appraised value
The evaluation of melee diamonds does not simply end with "total ct number x unit price". The following five factors affect the unit price.
Figure: 5 points that affect the appraised value of Mele Diamond
1
Color (color)
The closer it is to colorless and transparent, the higher the rating. Items with a strong yellow or brown taste will have a lower unit price. HoweverFancy colors (natural pink, blue, etc.)On the contrary, it may be highly rated.
2
Clarity
It has less inclusions. Items with carbon (sunspots) visible to the naked eye are called "nuts" and their unit price is greatly reduced.
3
Cut type and accuracy
The mainstream is the round brilliant cut (58 facets). Single cuts (17-18 facets) used in older jewelry can be less than half the price of rounds. Fancy cuts such as tapered baguettes and trapezes are evaluated separately.
4
Matching of sizes
If you are using multiple stones, the more consistent the sizes of the stones, the higher the resale value. Items that come in a variety of sizes and colors require a lot of effort to sort, which lowers the unit price.
5
Ease of removal work
Mele diamonds are often fixed to the base metal of rings, pendants, etc. with nails or face down. At the purchasing storeThe effort required to remove the diamond and resell it (removal fee)will be reflected in the unit price. If the nail is damaged or the base metal is hardened, the removal fee will be higher.
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Why is it said that "Melee diamonds have no price"?
If you have read up to this point, you may be wondering, "Then why aren't many purchasing stores charging a price for melee diamonds?" There are three main reasons.
Figure: Three structural reasons why melee diamonds are not priced well
Reason 1: Sales channels are limited and it is not worth the effort to remove it.
To resell melee diamonds, you need a route to remove them from jewelry, sort them by size and color, and reuse them in inter-vendor transactions or in your own products. In stores where the only sales channel is reuse retail, there is no place to sell even if the metal is removed, and as a result, prices are calculated on the assumption that the metal will be melted down. This isThe true nature of “mere diamonds treated as 0 yen”It is.
Reason 2: Appraiser lacks specialized knowledge and experience
The unit price of melee diamonds requires experience in instantly determining the condition of each stone. At general reuse stores and non-specialist staff, there are many cases where the price is flatly treated as bullion because it is a hassle.
Reason 3｜Insufficient identification equipment
In recent years, lab-grown (synthetic) melee diamonds andMoissanite (pseudo stone)The distribution of is increasing. Stores that do not have identification equipment to distinguish between these items will err on the safe side and receive a low rating.
✅ For Selby
Selby utilizes KOMEHYO GROUP's multi-layered sales channels (in-house stores, EC, overseas auctions, BtoB wholesale), and after sorting the removed melee diamonds, they can be reused in the inter-vendor market or as materials for their own jewelry products. For this reason, even though the melee diamonds were said to be ``not worth the price'' at other stores,In many cases, we can offer you a fair price.。
Diagram: Selby's multi-layered sales channels and Mele Diamond resale flow
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By item｜Meledia assessment example image
We will introduce the evaluation of the melee diamond part in actual jewelry.
half eternity ring
Number of meles used: 10 to 15 stones (top center only)
Total carat: around 0.2~0.5ct
Estimated evaluation of melee part: Several thousand yen to 20,000 yen
Total carat: around 0.2~0.5ct
Total evaluation: Combined with bullion (Pt900, K18WG, etc.)
full eternity ring
Number of meles used: 20 to 40 stones (all around)
Total carat: around 0.5~1.5ct
Estimated evaluation of melee part: 10,000 to 50,000 yen
Total carat: around 0.5~1.5ct
Branded products using high quality mele can cost over 200,000 yen.
pave ring/pave necklace
Number of meles used: 30 to 100 stones or more
Total carat: 0.5~3.0ct or more
Estimated evaluation of melee part: tens of thousands of yen to hundreds of thousands of yen
Total carat: 0.5~3.0ct or more
High-quality mele is often used, and the mele part alone is rated as the leading role.
tennis bracelet
Number of meles used: 40 to 70 stones
Total carat: around 1.0~5.0ct
Estimated evaluation of melee part: tens of thousands of yen to hundreds of thousands of yen
Total carat: around 1.0~5.0ct
High brands (Tiffany, Cartier, etc.) have a separate brand premium.
engagement ring side stones
Number of meles used: 2 to 10 stones (beside the center stone)
Total carat: around 0.05~0.3ct
Estimated evaluation of melee part: Several thousand yen to tens of thousands of yen
Total carat: around 0.05~0.3ct
It will be evaluated separately from the central stone (with certificate of authenticity)
Figure: Comparison of evaluation ranges for melee diamonds by item (general guide)
📝 Notes
The above is a general guideline, and the actual appraised value will vary depending on the condition of the stone, bullion market price, and market demand.
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5 tips to sell melee diamonds at a high price
1
Take it to a jewelry appraisal store
Appraisal of melee diamonds is the category where the difference in the ability of purchasing stores is most apparent. Not a general reuse store,Stores specializing in jewelry and staffed by people with identification qualificationsPlease choose.
2
Submit multiple points for appraisal at once
Meredia has a tendency that ``the more points you have, the higher the unit price.'' If you have eternity rings, tennis bracelets, pavé necklaces, etc. lying around in your dresser, it is efficient to send them all together for appraisal.
3
Appraise at a store that will disclose the details.
Rather than a store that summarizes the total amount as 〇〇 yen,A store that provides a breakdown by diamond, bullion, and accessoriesPlease choose. If the evaluation does not have a breakdown, it is impossible to confirm whether the melee diamond is evaluated correctly.
4
Clean the item before bringing it in
Wash gently with warm water diluted with neutral detergent and wipe dry with a soft cloth. Just by returning the shine, the evaluation accuracy of each mele diamond increases. However,Avoid using ultrasonic cleaners as they can cause stones to come off if your nails are damaged.
5
Prepare accessories (box, warranty, purchase receipt)
In the case of branded jewelry, the evaluation of the brand premium part changes greatly depending on the presence or absence of accessories. Please bring all the necessary documents with you in order to increase the evaluation of the jewelry as a whole, not just the melee diamond part.
Figure: 5 steps to sell Mele Diamonds at a high price
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[I will tell you the truth] Disadvantages and points to note when purchasing mele diamonds
In order to ensure that you are satisfied with the use of our service, we will clearly explain the points you need to know.
⚠ Disadvantage 1｜Since it is evaluated together with the bullion market price, it cannot be withdrawn separately.
Jewelry using melee diamonds is basically evaluated as a set with bullion. We cannot respond to requests such as ``I want to sell only the diamonds and keep the bullion'' (this is because removal costs will be incurred and the customer's take-home pay will be reduced as a result).
⚠ Disadvantage 2｜Old single cut/color treated products have lower unit prices
Single-cut melee or colored treated melee used in jewelry made before the 1980s would be rated below round brilliant in today's market. This is not a quality issue, but rather a change in market tastes.
⚠ Disadvantage 3｜If it is determined to be lab-grown (synthetic) mele, the fee will be significantly reduced
In recent years, synthetic diamonds have also been distributed in the form of small melee particles. As a result of identification, if it is determined to be synthetic, the evaluation will be about 20 to 30% of natural mele. It is difficult to tell the difference visually, so identification using specialized equipment is essential.
⚠ Disadvantage 4｜“Resized” and “renovated” items affect the amount of metal.
If the entire ring has been resized or renovated, the amount of metal may have changed, which will affect the evaluation. This is not a problem with the melee diamond itself, but with the jewelry as a whole.
⚠ Disadvantage 5｜Those with damaged nails and traces of stones coming off will be subject to discount.
If the nails are worn or damaged and the stones are missing, or if there are noticeable repair marks, the price will be reduced by taking into account the repair costs after purchase. If you are interested,Submit it for appraisal without repairing it.We recommend that you do this (in most cases, the repair cost will exceed the assessed value).
⚠ Disadvantage 6｜We basically cannot accept “appraisals based only on melee diamonds”
As a general rule, we do not accept purchases of melee diamonds that have been removed from jewelry. Please bring it as mounted jewelry.
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By scene｜Mere diamond purchase is recommended for these people
💍 Scene 1｜Organizing wedding rings and engagement rings
In cases such as cases where the estate is disposed of due to divorce or marriage, or cases where the engagement ring of a mother or grandmother was inherited, an accurate evaluation including the melee diamond part may result in an appraised value that is higher than expected.
🎁 Scene 2 | Organizing eternity rings and tennis bracelets
Items that are no longer worn but still have value, such as eternity rings received as wedding anniversaries or baby shower gifts, or tennis bracelets from when you were younger, are categories where there is a large difference in melee diamond evaluation.
👵 Scene 3｜Arrangement of belongings/end of life
Jewelry for grandmothers and mothers' generation often has classic designs that use a lot of melee diamonds. By carefully evaluating each stone, we bring out the value that cannot be seen from the bullion value alone.
💼 Scene 4｜High brand pave jewelry
Pave jewelry from Cartier, Tiffany, Van Cleef, Harry Winston, etc. is valued for its three-layer structure of brand premium + high quality melee diamonds + bullion value. An appraisal by a specialty store with comprehensive evaluation capabilities is essential.
🌟 Scene 5｜People who have been told that “we couldn’t get the price” before
If you have had the experience of being told only the bullion price or ``mere is 0 yen'' at another store, we recommend reappraisal at a jewelry specialty store. Evaluations can vary greatly depending on the sales channel.
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FAQ｜Frequently Asked Questions about Mere Diamond Purchase
Q Can I purchase melee diamonds alone?
As a general rule, we cannot accept single diamonds that have been removed from jewelry. Please bring in mounted rings, pendants, bracelets, etc.
Q Can you appraise a melee diamond without a certificate?
Yes, it is possible. Since most melee diamonds do not have a certificate of authenticity, there will be no reduction in price due to the lack of a certificate of authenticity. A professional appraiser will inspect and evaluate the actual item.
Q I was told at another store that ``Mele Diamonds are not worth the price.'' Why?
In many cases, this is because the purchasing store does not have a channel to resell mele diamonds. Selby utilizes Komehyo Group's multi-layered sales channels and evaluates Mele Diamond at a fair price.
Q This is an old eternity ring. Is it worth it?
It depends on the design and the type of mele used. Even an old single-cut mele can be valued at several thousand yen to tens of thousands of yen if combined with bullion (Pt900, etc.). There is no such thing as "old and worthless".
Q Can I also purchase lab-grown (synthetic) mele?
It is possible, but the evaluation will be about 20 to 30% of natural mele. I will let you know the results of the identification.
Q Mele is missing one stone. Can you assess it?
It's possible. The amount of reduction due to the omission of 1 koku is the amount considering the assessed value per 1 koku + repair cost. Please bring it in as is without repairing it.
Q Can you also evaluate pink diamond and blue diamond melee?
Yes, there are many cases where natural fancy colored mele diamonds are rated higher than white mele diamonds. However, it is important to distinguish them from colored products, so specialized equipment is required to differentiate them.
Q There are so many pave stones that I can't count them myself.
Please rest assured. The appraiser will count the number of stones and calculate the total carat weight. There is no need for the customer to declare the number of stones.
Q Can you accurately evaluate Mere Diamond even if I purchase it by home delivery?
Yes, the appraisal will be done by the same professional appraiser and the same equipment as for in-store purchases. The evaluation criteria are also the same.
Q What if I am not satisfied with the appraised amount?
If you are not satisfied, we will return all items. If purchased at a store, the item will be returned on the spot, or if purchased by home delivery, the item will be returned free of charge.
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jewelry specialty
multilayered
appraisal details
Why Selby is chosen even in melee diamonds
1
Komehei Group's only jewelry specialty company
We are the only company in KOMEHYO GROUP that specializes in purchasing jewelry. Because we are ``dedicated to jewelry,'' we have the discerning eye to properly evaluate even a single melee diamond.
2
Transparent purchase price based on sales power
Utilizing multi-layered sales channels such as our own stores, e-commerce, overseas auctions, and BtoB wholesale, we have a system in place that allows us to remove the melee diamonds, sort them, and then resell them to the most appropriate destination. This is the basis for ``Mere diamonds have a price.''
3
Professional appraisers with identification qualifications such as GIA and Zenhokyo are on staff.
All appraisals are conducted by professional appraisers, including those with appraisal qualifications. We accurately evaluate each melee diamond, cut type, color, clarity, and synthetic diamond identification.
4
Disclose assessment details one by one
We will disclose the breakdown of diamonds, bullion, accessories, and brand premiums. We will explain ``why we charge this price'' until the customer is satisfied.
5
Completely free/cancellable
Appraisal fee, shipping fee, and return fee are all 0 yen. If you are not satisfied, you can cancel before signing the contract.
jewelry specialty
connoisseur
Komehei Group's only jewelry specialty company
multilayered
sales channel
4 channels: stores, EC, overseas, and BtoB wholesale
appraisal details
full disclosure
Breakdown by diamond, metal, and accessories
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Consultation/Application
Over-the-counter purchase (same-day cash)
At our three stores in Okachimachi and Ginza, we offer face-to-face appraisals by professional appraisers.
| store | address | Business hours | telephone |
|---|---|---|---|
| Okachimachi station store | 5-26-1 Ueno, Taito-ku, Tokyo Mitsuaki Miki Building 1/2F |
11:00–18:30 | 03-5812-4386 |
| Okachimachi store | 5-22-4 Ueno, Taito-ku, Tokyo RT Building 1F |
12:00–18:30 | 03-5826-4967 |
| Ginza store | 7-4-14 Ginza, Chuo-ku, Tokyo HBC GINZA Building 1F |
11:00–18:00 | 03-6274-6902 |
Please feel free to contact us first.
``Melee diamonds are priceless'' - those of you who have had the experience of being told that.
Please try the appraisal by Selby, a jewelry specialist company.
Delivery purchase (nationwide, free shipping)
If you are unable to come to our store, please use our delivery service that can be completed at home. The packaging kit will be delivered by registered mail to the address provided on your identity verification documents.
For questions and consultations, info@selby.co.jp Please feel free to contact us.
Appropriate recognition for “a collection of small brilliance”
Melee diamonds are the "small protagonists" that add glamor and depth to jewelry.
Each stone may be a small piece, but when gathered, it can be worth hundreds of thousands of yen - that is the true nature of melee diamonds.
“Melee diamonds are priceless” “They are cheaper because there is no certificate of authenticity” ——
If you have ever experienced such a thing, please try the appraisal by Selby, the only jewelry specialist company in the Komehei Group.
With highly transparent appraisals and high-priced purchases based on sales capabilities,
We will give you the evaluation you deserve for your jewelry.
🔗 Related content
- For those considering buying jewelry in Okachimachi | Return to hub page
- Also check the purchase price of diamonds that do not have a certificate of authenticity.
- If you want to organize multiple items at once, home delivery purchase is convenient.
- For same-day cash, in-store purchases are recommended.