How do you pronounce...

[jewelangel]

I always said it "Meh-leeee"
Like the name Emily, but the emphasis on the second syllable.
Apparently I'm VERY wrong! LOL
Also, I always said "SPINE-L" in my head, until I heard someone pronounce it "SPIN-ELL" and am so glad I didn't make that mistake out loud.
This thread is very entertaining!

 

[GemFever]

jewelangel -- that's how I imagine melee as well. And I'm sticking to it

VL -- thanks for the Mahenge. I will now sound like I know what I'm talking about when I go to Intergem in a couple days

 

[daintyG]

How do you pronounce/spell Yukitiel (from IDJ)?

 

[John P]

Melly like belly, really? I want a vendor or appraiser to tell us their opinion on that one.

RE the word Melee:

USA jewelers mostly say: "méh-lee" (melly).
Dutch diamantaires say: "méh-lay"

No one I know in the diamond industry pronounces it "may-lay" which is how I learned to pronounce mêlée; from the old French meslee, describing a hand-to-hand battle.

 

[cygnet]

I know the jewelers pronounce it "melly," but I just can't bring myself to say it. I speak French and it seems a sin to pronounce such an obviously French word in such a bizarre manner. I'm not trying to be a snob, exactly, I just can't make "melly" come out of my mouth.

As for Leon Mege, it's "meh-zhay," if that makes sense. If you are still having trouble, here is a video where he says his name out loud:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p1ZK58QTU4E

Perry is in the video and says melee and paraiba as well.

Oh, but the comments on the video are horrid. That's youtube for you.