Our Calculator is an essential industry tool designed for jewelers, designers, and manufacturers in key trade hubs like the United States (US), Belgium (BE), and Hong Kong (HK), offering precise price estimations for small diamonds (melee) and detailed cost calculations for creating pavé or halo K-gold settings. This platform addresses the specific needs of professionals working with large quantities of melee diamonds—typically ranging from 0.005 carats up to 0.20 carats, both natural and lab-grown (CVD/HPHT)—across various quality grades. It integrates a K-gold (e.g., 14K, 18K) cost calculator for estimating material and labor involved in intricate settings like pavé, micro-pavé, and halos for rings, earrings, pendants, and other fine jewelry items, crucial for a customer focused on production efficiency and accurate B2B quoting.

Estimating Prices for Small Diamonds (Melee):
Melee diamonds, though individually small, collectively represent a significant value and are fundamental to many jewelry designs.

Melee Sizing & Parceling:
Sieve Sizes/Carat Ranges: Melee is often sorted and sold by sieve sizes (e.g., -2, +2, +6.5) or very specific carat weight ranges (e.g., 0.01-0.015 ct, 0.02-0.025 ct). Our calculator accommodates these industry standards.
Parcel Valuation: Jewelers often buy melee in parcels (lots). The calculator helps estimate the value of these parcels based on average characteristics.
Quality Grades for Melee:
Color: Common commercial melee grades might range from F-G to H-I, or even J-K for more budget-conscious lines. The calculator reflects price differences for these ranges.
Clarity: Typical melee clarities range from VS to SI, with some I1 used in lower-priced goods. Consistency within a parcel is key.
Cut: The "make" or cut quality of melee (even for single cuts or full cuts) significantly impacts its sparkle and thus the overall appearance of the finished jewelry. Better make commands higher prices.
Natural vs. Lab-Grown (CVD/HPHT) Melee: Lab-grown melee is increasingly used due to its lower cost and consistent supply, especially for price-sensitive jewelry lines. Our calculator provides distinct pricing for both natural and lab-grown melee, a vital consideration for manufacturers in US, BE, and HK.
Shape: While round brilliant melee is most common, small princess cuts, baguettes, or marquise shapes are also used.
Pavé/Halo K-Gold Setting Cost Calculator:
Creating settings with numerous small diamonds is labor-intensive and requires precision. This calculator component aids in estimating these specialized costs.

Types of Intricate Settings:
Pavé: Diamonds set closely together, held by tiny beads of metal, creating a "paved" surface of sparkle.
Micro-Pavé: An even more delicate version of pavé using very small melee (often under 0.01 ct) set with precision under a microscope.
Halo Settings: A ring of melee diamonds surrounding a center stone, enhancing its perceived size and brilliance. Can be single, double, or even triple halos.
Channel Setting (for small stones): Diamonds set between two parallel walls of metal.
Metal Choices (14K, 18K Gold; White Gold is Common):
14K or 18K white gold is frequently used for these settings to maximize the brilliance of the diamonds. Yellow or rose gold can also be used for stylistic contrast. The calculator estimates material costs for these metals.
Labor Costs – The Critical Factor:
Stone Setting Labor: This is the most significant cost. It depends on the number of stones, their size, the complexity of the setting style (pavé vs. micro-pavé), and the skill of the setter.
Layout & Drilling: Precisely mapping and drilling holes for each stone.
Finishing: Careful polishing around intricate settings without damaging the prongs or stones.
CAD Design & Manufacturing: Modern pavé and halo designs often utilize CAD for precision layout, followed by casting. The calculator factors in these manufacturing steps.
This specialized calculator is for a professional customer: jewelry manufacturers who need to cost new designs featuring extensive melee work; independent jewelers creating custom halo engagement rings; and diamond dealers specializing in supplying melee to the trade. Service scenarios include: a Hong Kong manufacturer pricing a production run of 18K white gold micro-pavé diamond eternity bands; a Belgian diamond house valuing parcels of calibrated natural melee for international clients; or a US custom jeweler estimating the labor for a complex double halo engagement ring. It helps professionals maintain competitive pricing and manage production costs for some of the most popular and visually stunning jewelry styles.