Melee sources?

[Antique Chic]

Does anyone know of any reputable companies offering lab grown full cut melee? I'm going to need 18 or 20 pointers (1.3mm diameter) for my ring and I'd prefer lab grown if possible. TIA!

 

[OoohShiny]

Have a look through the 'list of MMD vendors' thread - there might be some in there that offer it!

 

[jbake]

I just ordered a band with 2mm lab grown melee through my local jeweler from Stuller. I don’t have it yet, but am looking forward to comparing it to the bands I have with mined diamonds.

It looks like they offer F/VS, GHI/SI1, & a few colors. I ordered F/VS.

 

[OoohShiny]

I just ordered a band with 2mm lab grown melee through my local jeweler from Stuller. I don’t have it yet, but am looking forward to comparing it to the bands I have with mined diamonds.

It looks like they offer F/VS, GHI/SI1, & a few colors. I ordered F/VS.

That looks like an interesting site!

Would you be happy to say which vendor it is?

I appreciate privacy and not wishing to divulge your location, though

 

[alene]

Looks like Better than diamonds sells melee also
https://betterthandiamond.com/products/Takara-small-melee-lab-diamonds.html

 

[jbake]

That looks like an interesting site!

Would you be happy to say which vendor it is?

I appreciate privacy and not wishing to divulge your location, though

While I love my jeweler, they are a very small shop local to me, so I’ll keep them to myself for now

Almost any place you go can order from Stuller, but I like to use their jeweler showcase so it shows prices. If you click through “find a jeweler,” enter a zip code, & scroll through until you find one that offers the showcase. My jeweler usually gives me about 20% or so off MSRP.

Here is the ring I ordered vs the same ring with mined diamonds

 

[MamaBee]

I just ordered a band with 2mm lab grown melee through my local jeweler from Stuller. I don’t have it yet, but am looking forward to comparing it to the bands I have with mined diamonds.

It looks like they offer F/VS, GHI/SI1, & a few colors. I ordered F/VS.

I can’t wait to see your band @jbake!

 

[jbake]

I can’t wait to see your band @jbake!

I’m so excited! I’ve been trying to slow down & wait until I’ve wanted something for a long time before I buy it. I’m such an impulsive shopper But I couldn’t help myself this time

 

[MamaBee]

I’m so excited! I’ve been trying to slow down & wait until I’ve wanted something for a long time before I buy it. I’m such an impulsive shopper But I couldn’t help myself this time

You deserve it! I’m excited for you!

 

[jbake]

Picked this up yesterday

Stuller Lab Melee, F/VS, 2mm each

I don’t have a loupe to examine them closely, but I don’t think I can tell a difference between these and any of the mined stones I have. They are very white and sparkly

I think I love it, but I’m a “slow to warm up” kind of person. It will be going back to have the prongs softened a bit soon.

This is the stack I had in mind when I ordered it

 

[MamaBee]

Picked this up yesterday

Stuller Lab Melee, F/VS, 2mm each

I don’t have a loupe to examine them closely, but I don’t think I can tell a difference between these and any of the mined stones I have. They are very white and sparkly

I think I love it, but I’m a “slow to warm up” kind of person. It will be going back to have the prongs softened a bit soon.

This is the stack I had in mind when I ordered it

I love it! It’s so pretty! Is it rose gold?

 

[alene]

It’s really pretty! I especially like it as part of the stack.

Picked this up yesterday

Stuller Lab Melee, F/VS, 2mm each

I don’t have a loupe to examine them closely, but I don’t think I can tell a difference between these and any of the mined stones I have. They are very white and sparkly

I think I love it, but I’m a “slow to warm up” kind of person. It will be going back to have the prongs softened a bit soon.

This is the stack I had in mind when I ordered it

 

[bling_dream19]

Picked this up yesterday

Stuller Lab Melee, F/VS, 2mm each

I don’t have a loupe to examine them closely, but I don’t think I can tell a difference between these and any of the mined stones I have. They are very white and sparkly

I think I love it, but I’m a “slow to warm up” kind of person. It will be going back to have the prongs softened a bit soon.

This is the stack I had in mind when I ordered it

I love your new sparkly band! But oh the stack.. beautiful but I LOVE your hearteam band! Tell us more if you don't mind

 

[jbake]

Thank you, @Mamabean @alene and @bling_dream19 !

It is rose gold! I really love rose gold, but since it’s a newer love I’m hesitant to get a whole lot in case I fall out of love someday. With the lab stones, it’s not as risky (or so I convinced myself so I could indulge a bit )

My husband and kids bought the heart band for my birthday a couple years ago. I still love it It is also from Stuller. I like to browse (obsess) at home, then have the store order when I’m ready

This new band stacks with it perfectly!

 

[MamaBee]

Thank you, @Mamabean @alene and @bling_dream19 !

It is rose gold! I really love rose gold, but since it’s a newer love I’m hesitant to get a whole lot in case I fall out of love someday. With the lab stones, it’s not as risky (or so I convinced myself so I could indulge a bit )

My husband and kids bought the heart band for my birthday a couple years ago. I still love it
This new band stacks with it perfectly!

I love your heart band. I remember when you mentioned your hubby and kids bought it for you. I thought it was so sweet! I think the new band goes perfectly with your heart ring..
I just bought my first rose gold band. I just warmed up to my older yellow gold jewelry that I haven’t worn in 20 years. PS definitely influences us!

 

[jbake]

I love your heart band. I remember when you mentioned your hubby and kids bought it for you. I thought it was so sweet! I think the new band goes perfectly with your heart ring..
I just bought my first rose gold band. I just warmed up to my older yellow gold jewelry that I haven’t worn in 20 years. PS definitely influences us!

Full disclosure, they picked it off my short list of gift ideas It was my very first piece of rose gold and I was so excited that’s what they picked

I know what you mean! I never really cared for yellow gold, but am now itching to get some! I’m trying to go slow and get things that have been on my wishlist for a long time. So maybe something in yellow will come up soon

 

[swaye2010]

Does anyone know of any reputable companies offering lab grown full cut melee? I'm going to need 18 or 20 pointers (1.3mm diameter) for my ring and I'd prefer lab grown if possible. TIA!

Many of us have been getting lab grown diamond melee in the settings for moissanite rings but it is being talked about over on the Fabulous Fashion Jewelry side. You can email Cherry Zheng at [email protected]. They are very reputable but it is direct from China. She speaks very good English. I have been ordering from them for more than 3 years. You can pay through paypal for buyer protection. I know the 3.5 mm were $12 each if buying loose and then it went down in price I think in about $2 increments if you wanted them smaller. They ship with DHL Speedpak so it gets to your door in 3 days after it ships with full tracking.

 

[OoohShiny]

Many of us have been getting lab grown diamond melee in the settings for moissanite rings but it is being talked about over on the Fabulous Fashion Jewelry side. You can email Cherry Zheng at [email protected]. They are very reputable but it is direct from China. She speaks very good English. I have been ordering from them for more than 3 years. You can pay through paypal for buyer protection. I know the 3.5 mm were $12 each if buying loose and then it went down in price I think in about $2 increments if you wanted them smaller. They ship with DHL Speedpak so it gets to your door in 3 days after it ships with full tracking.

3.5mm MMD for $12??

Is that only in MRB/round stones?

I had a quote recently for some ridiculous price for French Cut MMD in 2mm x 2mm - I can't remember what but they were 10 or 20 times more expensive than that!

 

[swaye2010]

3.5mm MMD for $12??

Is that only in MRB/round stones?

I had a quote recently for some ridiculous price for French Cut MMD in 2mm x 2mm - I can't remember what but they were 10 or 20 times more expensive than that!

Yes, they only offer the modern round brilliant’s right now. The $12 each is for melee sized diamonds per piece. They do offer larger diamonds but they are still quite expensive for a 1 carat but the melee is pretty cheap.

Someone had a 5 stone made with .20 diamonds (1ctw) in white gold for around $600. The prices have been coming down but again, this is for the smaller diamonds. The best value is to make a setting with them in lab diamonds and then you can add your own center because I haven’t seen a lot of the smaller melee yet from other vendors.

I am going to have to go back through my email but I can add some of the melee prices per piece later today.

 

[swaye2010]

Edit to above pricing - I went back through my email. The 2.5 mm is $12 each and the 3mm is $35 each so it is higher than what I stated above. The price for the 5 stone though is correct.

 

[BDA1971]

While I love my jeweler, they are a very small shop local to me, so I’ll keep them to myself for now

Almost any place you go can order from Stuller, but I like to use their jeweler showcase so it shows prices. If you click through “find a jeweler,” enter a zip code, & scroll through until you find one that offers the showcase. My jeweler usually gives me about 20% or so off MSRP.

Here is the ring I ordered vs the same ring with mined diamonds

 

[BDA1971]

Like buying a replica... you'll always know it's not real!

 

[OoohShiny]

Like buying a replica... you'll always know it's not real!

Except it is?