Natural diamonds
Melee prices have steadied after a two-year slide
Prices for small natural melee, under 0.18 ct, have flattened after roughly two years of steady declines driven by lab-grown substitution.
Imperial Star Gems trade desk1 min read
Small natural melee has stopped falling, after roughly two years in which lab-grown substitution pulled prices steadily down.
- Melee under 0.18 ct, the small stones set as pavé and accents rather than sold as centre stones, fell for two years as jewellery manufacturers shifted pavé work to lab-grown.
- That substitution has largely run its course: most volume manufacturers already buy lab-grown melee by default.
- Natural melee asking prices have held flat for the past two months, the longest stretch without a decline since the shift began.
The floor appears to be manufacturers who specifically market a piece as all-natural and price accordingly. For centre-stone buying this has limited relevance, but it matters for anyone sourcing pavé settings — ask us to source to a specific carat total weight. See natural stones under a carat.
Market commentary drawn from publicly available market data and trade reporting, not investment advice. Prices move; figures are indicative and correct as of the date above.