Pink Melee Prices

[minicat]

Hi All,

I had another thread going, but it seemed to be morphing into a different topic so I thought Id restart another so other people who may be interested will know the topic discussed by the more relevant title. Basically I have a pear that I am going to make into a ring with a halo and I am considering using pink diamonds. ([URL='https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/help-please-melee-proportions-for-pear.200770/']https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/help-please-melee-proportions-for-pear.200770/[/URL])

Having never seen any pinks I am not sure how pink I need to be to be able to see they are pink (or more specifically for other people to see they are pink!). I realise that I really need to go and see some, but I dont really know what they cost yet. While my budget isnt set, I know if I feel a bit light headed at the thought, Ill steer away from the pink idea..... if that makes sense!

From what I can gather I am looking for anything from Light Fancy to Fancy (and possibly up to Vivid to get something that clearly looks pink. But I am assuming that will be out of budget anyway).

Size wise I think Iam looking for about 1.5mm. But Im not sure if that is in a different price bracket to say 1.3mm or 1.6mm.

I have contacted a well known vendor on here who I already knew who is telling me that they are $150 per point (1.3mm). I also have someone here in Birmingham (UK) telling me that they think that I will be looking at around £7,000 per ctw, which is about $11,750. But i see and am told on here that the going rate is about $6,500. Have prices jumped suddenly, or am I not comparing apples with apples? Are far as I know we are all talking about fancy pink (or there abouts as they are not cert'd).

Im not sure exactly what my question is but if anyone can add some comments thats always been of great help in the past

 

[pinkjewel]

I haven't looked at your other thread so am unsure if you are planning to set your pinks in rose gold or a white/platinum metal. I would not do fancy light pink in either- I just don't think they show up as very pink even in rose gold. Fancy pink in rose gold should show up as pink. You notice I say "should". I have seen a fairly wide range of pink colors called "fancy pink" and some of these I'd personally call "fancy light pink". This may be where you are seeing a price difference in melee quotes. I also think different vendors just charge different amounts depending on suppliers. "Fancy pink" will not show up as pink in a white metal. Now if you want it to look quite pink, buy fancy intense pinks. However, there is a huge price jump between "fancy pink" and "fancy intense pink". Last year I bought a couple of fancy intense pink melees from Leibish (Argyle mine) around 1.9 or 2 mm. They were around 800.00 for the pair- and I'm pretty sure prices have gone up from a year ago. The intense and vivid pinks are becoming increasingly difficult to find. Fancy intense pink will show as pink in a white metal. Obviously fancy vivid pink will show up even more pink in either rose gold or white gold, but they will be extremely expensive and probably very difficult to source. If you can afford it, I'd buy fancy intense pinks. If not, as long as you plan on setting the melee in rose gold, fancy pinks will look beautiful- just make sure whoever is sourcing them gets true "fancy pinks".

 

[pinkjewel]

OK- I just read your other thread and have a few comments. As a pink diamond lover, I was rather amazed at the comments trying to talk you out of pink diamonds-sheesh. And based on the size of the pear, you would actually be fine with 1.3mm,but could go to 1.5mm if you like a larger halo. Have the diamond set with a white gold or platinum basket and prongs and the halo in rose gold with fancy pink diamonds to get maximum contrast between the two and I think that will give you the effect you want. Here in the US some jewelers won't work with customers melee- so you might want to check on that.
About africagems- they are legit. However, last I heard, Marc didn't have much pink melee available even though he has it listed online- so you may want to shoot him an email. Also, I think his pink melee is a purplish pink if that makes a difference to you. If you want to order online, send Leibish an email (closed right now for Passover). They are a great company and where I have purchased at least 6 pink diamonds. Tell them what you are looking for- a parcel of matching fancy pink diamond melee in the 1.3 to 1.5 range and see if they can help you.

 

[Acinom]

Perhaps using pink sapphires could also be an option if the pink doamonds stretch your budget too much?

Good luck with your project and don't forget to post lots of pics once its ready

 

[Sunstorm]

Hi, I know I already contributed to your other thread but wanted to answer a couple of your questions here as well. Normally, no 1.5 mm would not be in a different price bracket but would obviously cost more because that is about 1.5 points. 1 pointers are approximately 1.2-1.3 mms so only a bit smaller but less expensive proportionally here because of the carat weight factor. I think that 1 pointers would be a very good option considering the size of the center stone.

Secondly, vendors may be quoting you different prices because of the intensity of color mostly, there is a vast difference between faint pink and vivid pink. Then again other factors like clarity and cut factor in as well but here not as much as color. As I have stated before I would be looking at at least a fancy grade in the melee but preferably vivid since you want the color to show up. To give you an example if I am setting a 1 carat fancy yellow in a yellow halo I will be using vivid melee if I want to get matching or near matching color.In your case since your center is white it does not matter as much but why pay a really high price if the pink does not show up.

As to prices yes fancies have gone up in general especially certain colors and prices are not set in any case, here you also have so many factors influencing price that it is really not easy to price fancy colors. While in the case of colorless it is already hard because of cut influencing the value highly and inclusions vary within the same clarity grade in the case of fancy colors evaluation is extremely difficult and subjective because no certificate can accurately determine the desirability and appeal of the color and light performance. I have seen two yellows both graded fancy by GIA and yet one having color closer to vivid the other being a gorgeous cut actual fancy. Then modifying hues play a great role too. With melee you have an easier time since they are sold as parcels normally and graded a bit more consistently but what I have found is that here again the source is the most important as even within whites I have received greatly varying qualities even within the same color and clarity grade; again precision and uniformity in cut and sizes were what made the difference and between two vivid pink parcels from two different vendors quality may greatly vary. A higher price does not necessarily equate that you are being overcharged but you may be offered higher quality. It is extremely difficult for jewelers to work with melee that is not cut well and uniformly (among other problems).

I myself am also thinking about using pinks for a halo right now and think it would be a beautiful touch for your stone, love pears by the way.

 

[pinkjewel]

I really do not think the OP needs to go with fancy vivid to get pinks to show up as long as he sets the pinks in rose gold. The color grade goes :fancy light pink, fancy pink, fancy intense pink, fancy vivid pink , fancy deep pink which being "trade" I assume you already know. Since you are trade I will also assume your prices for pinks are much less than the OPs, so if you want to use vivid pinks that's great. As a consumer who has purchased a lot of pink diamonds I can say I would not spend the money for vivid pinks when fancy intense pinks would show up as very, very pink in a halo. The pink melees in my avatar are 5pp- or equivalent to fancy intense purplish pink and show up as very, very pink. The main pink diamond in the orchid is fancy purplish pink which also shows up as quite pink. A halo with true fancy pinks will show up as pink which is what the OP originally wanted to know. Obviously intense and vivid will be more pink. It just depends on how much the OP wants to spend on his project. I am also only talking about natural pinks with no treatments.

Also- checked the prices on the intense pink melee I referred to earlier and it was closer to $600.00, not $800.00. I purchased a pair of larger pinks around the same time from them that were $800.00 and got the 2 transactions confused.

 

[WinkHPD]

I really do not think the OP needs to go with fancy vivid to get pinks to show up as long as he sets the pinks in rose gold. The color grade goes :fancy light pink, fancy pink, fancy intense pink, fancy vivid pink , fancy deep pink which being "trade" I assume you already know. Since you are trade I will also assume your prices for pinks are much less than the OPs, so if you want to use vivid pinks that's great. As a consumer who has purchased a lot of pink diamonds I can say I would not spend the money for vivid pinks when fancy intense pinks would show up as very, very pink in a halo. The pink melees in my avatar are 5pp- or equivalent to fancy intense purplish pink and show up as very, very pink. The main pink diamond in the orchid is fancy purplish pink which also shows up as quite pink. A halo with true fancy pinks will show up as pink which is what the OP originally wanted to know. Obviously intense and vivid will be more pink. It just depends on how much the OP wants to spend on his project. I am also only talking about natural pinks with no treatments.

Also- checked the prices on the intense pink melee I referred to earlier and it was closer to $600.00, not $800.00. I purchased a pair of larger pinks around the same time from them that were $800.00 and got the 2 transactions confused.

Can you clear up a confusion that I am having. Are you quoting fancy pink diamond melee at $600 per carat? That is less than good white melee. It has been many years since I used pink melee and I was paying at that time in the thousands of dollars per carat for well cut sparkly pink melee.

I love your avatar by the way, I am just confused by the pricing and wondering if I need to search out a better supplier for colored melee if I ever need it again.

Wink

 

[diamondseeker2006]

Such great advice, pinkjewel! Your experience is so valuable to others!

I just want to say that you need to decide on a setting maker and have them quote you the project with the pink diamonds. They can get the diamonds wholesale, and in fact, some will not accept customer melee for a project anyway. I would think that Victor Canera and Steven Kirsch would be my two top US prospects for a pink diamond halo setting.

 

[diamondseeker2006]

I really do not think the OP needs to go with fancy vivid to get pinks to show up as long as he sets the pinks in rose gold. The color grade goes :fancy light pink, fancy pink, fancy intense pink, fancy vivid pink , fancy deep pink which being "trade" I assume you already know. Since you are trade I will also assume your prices for pinks are much less than the OPs, so if you want to use vivid pinks that's great. As a consumer who has purchased a lot of pink diamonds I can say I would not spend the money for vivid pinks when fancy intense pinks would show up as very, very pink in a halo. The pink melees in my avatar are 5pp- or equivalent to fancy intense purplish pink and show up as very, very pink. The main pink diamond in the orchid is fancy purplish pink which also shows up as quite pink. A halo with true fancy pinks will show up as pink which is what the OP originally wanted to know. Obviously intense and vivid will be more pink. It just depends on how much the OP wants to spend on his project. I am also only talking about natural pinks with no treatments.

Also- checked the prices on the intense pink melee I referred to earlier and it was closer to $600.00, not $800.00. I purchased a pair of larger pinks around the same time from them that were $800.00 and got the 2 transactions confused.

Can you clear up a confusion that I am having. Are you quoting fancy pink diamond melee at $600 per carat? That is less than good white melee. It has been many years since I used pink melee and I was paying at that time in the thousands of dollars per carat for well cut sparkly pink melee.

I love your avatar by the way, I am just confused by the pricing and wondering if I need to search out a better supplier for colored melee if I ever need it again.

Wink

Wink, if you read her posts above, she was referring to a pair of stones that she bought, so two melee stones.

 

[pinkjewel]

Here are examples of some pieces I own with natural pink diamond halos or pink diamond melee, so this might help with visuals.

First up is a J colored pear with what was quoted to me as a fancy pink halo. To me this looks like fancy light and I don't think it shows up as pink. I could have had it redone, but liked the general look enough to keep it as is- but I don't think it looks very pink.

next up is my YZ light yellow diamond with natural fancy pink halo (pinks are about 5pointers).

And here are a couple of pics with my yellow/pink ring and my RDG orchid ring.The orchid ring is a fancy purplish pink oval with 5pp pink diamond melee (equivalent to fancy intense pinks). I have lots more natural pink diamonds in all different shades of pinks (lol) if you want to see more.

 

[pinkjewel]

I really do not think the OP needs to go with fancy vivid to get pinks to show up as long as he sets the pinks in rose gold. The color grade goes :fancy light pink, fancy pink, fancy intense pink, fancy vivid pink , fancy deep pink which being "trade" I assume you already know. Since you are trade I will also assume your prices for pinks are much less than the OPs, so if you want to use vivid pinks that's great. As a consumer who has purchased a lot of pink diamonds I can say I would not spend the money for vivid pinks when fancy intense pinks would show up as very, very pink in a halo. The pink melees in my avatar are 5pp- or equivalent to fancy intense purplish pink and show up as very, very pink. The main pink diamond in the orchid is fancy purplish pink which also shows up as quite pink. A halo with true fancy pinks will show up as pink which is what the OP originally wanted to know. Obviously intense and vivid will be more pink. It just depends on how much the OP wants to spend on his project. I am also only talking about natural pinks with no treatments.

Also- checked the prices on the intense pink melee I referred to earlier and it was closer to $600.00, not $800.00. I purchased a pair of larger pinks around the same time from them that were $800.00 and got the 2 transactions confused.

Can you clear up a confusion that I am having. Are you quoting fancy pink diamond melee at $600 per carat? That is less than good white melee. It has been many years since I used pink melee and I was paying at that time in the thousands of dollars per carat for well cut sparkly pink melee.

I love your avatar by the way, I am just confused by the pricing and wondering if I need to search out a better supplier for colored melee if I ever need it again.

Wink

Oh, wow, Wink- if I could find nice natural fancy pinks at 600.00 or 800.00/ct- I'd snap up everything I could find!! However, I was referring to 1 pair of argyle fancy intense pinks totaling .04ct. and they are very, very pink!!
and thank you for the compliment on my avatar- it was designed and made by Mike Robinson from RDG in New Zealand.

 

[pinkjewel]

Such great advice, pinkjewel! Your experience is so valuable to others!

I just want to say that you need to decide on a setting maker and have them quote you the project with the pink diamonds. They can get the diamonds wholesale, and in fact, some will not accept customer melee for a project anyway. I would think that Victor Canera and Steven Kirsch would be my two top US prospects for a pink diamond halo setting.

thanks, DS!! I don't really get into all that many discussions on here anymore- but one thing I eat and breathe are pink diamonds

I think the OP said he lived in the UK and wanted to use jewelers there, but I also said he might want to check with them as to whether they would use customers own melee. If he wanted to go US I might also suggest Maytal Hannah as it looks like her pink diamond melee is quite nice, also.

 

[minicat]

Hi Pink Jewel,
Thanks for your reply
We were leaning towards a platinum setting, but i think that was more of a default choice. Since I have been looking around I have noticed an abundance of rose gold, which i assumed helped accentuate the pinkness and is definitely worth considering. Infact, id say is probably more likely to be a must have.
I think Ill dismiss the idea of fancy light pink as personally dont see the point in getting them if they cost extra, and they are being sought for their pinkness when its pretty hard to see they are pink for my uses! Id rather spend more to get something we want, or not at all.... So i guess ill try and find someone who can show me a fancy and a fancy intense so we can actually see it. Although your post has certainly helped me form a clearer idea in my mind of what to expect.
I did some working out on your figures: 1.9-2mm as about 0.032 ct, or 0.064 ct for $800, which works out to be £12500 ctw? But thats for fancy intense pink, although it was one year ago.


I have noticed that this forum doesnt have a PM facility - or at least i cant find it. Can anyone help me out here? Its just that I would like to contact some people on here - but I dont want to breach commercial/sales type rules.

 

[minicat]

WOW so many replies - i half wrote my previous post, finished it off and posted it and suddenly there were loads for replies - I got to dash out for a while, so im not being rude my disappearing but Ill have a good read later. Thanks guys

 

[pinkjewel]

And here are the 2 Fancy intense pink melee I purchased from Leibish so you can see how very pink they are

And another pendant I have with a G colored diamond and halo with 6 2 pointer fancy pink diamond accents.

 

[pinkjewel]

Hi Pink Jewel,
Thanks for your reply
We were leaning towards a platinum setting, but i think that was more of a default choice. Since I have been looking around I have noticed an abundance of rose gold, which i assumed helped accentuate the pinkness and is definitely worth considering. Infact, id say is probably more likely to be a must have.
I think Ill dismiss the idea of fancy light pink as personally dont see the point in getting them if they cost extra, and they are being sought for their pinkness when its pretty hard to see they are pink for my uses! Id rather spend more to get something we want, or not at all.... So i guess ill try and find someone who can show me a fancy and a fancy intense so we can actually see it. Although your post has certainly helped me form a clearer idea in my mind of what to expect.
I did some working out on your figures: 1.9-2mm as about 0.032 ct, or 0.064 ct for $800, which works out to be £12500 ctw? But thats for fancy intense pink, although it was one year ago.


I have noticed that this forum doesnt have a PM facility - or at least i cant find it. Can anyone help me out here? Its just that I would like to contact some people on here - but I dont want to breach commercial/sales type rules.

glad to help- there is no PM function on PS.
As pink diamonds get larger- they will also increase in price per carat weight, too. So, I would expect FIP 1.3s to 1.5s to maybe be a little less per carat- but I haven't priced any this year- so they may be around $12,000.00/ct- but you don't need all that many.

eta- I would still use platinum to set your white diamond and just do the halo in rose gold with the pink diamonds- that gives you maximum color and contrast.

 

[Gossamer]

I'm going to get blue in the face saying this, but two things:

1) As a consumer, you should not be trying to source your own melee. Let the jeweler who builds your piece do that. You should know how much he is paying and that the vendor is a legitimate vendor, but that's it. There have been problems with melee parcels containing simulants, lab diamonds, etc., and there's not yet a good melee mass-screening tool, though several are in various stages of development. So "know your supplier" is very important in melee. Also let your jeweler deal with shipping and issues like what happens if one of the pieces breaks during setting.

2) As I mentioned in this thread, the asking price of fancy pink pointer melee from legitimate vendors (at least one of which has been mentioned in this thread) as of a couple of months ago was $6500/ct and up. If you buy a big order or buy multiple things you can get the price lower than that. Few vendors put their melee inventory online. So you have to call or email... once Passover is done.

 

[WinkHPD]

My thanks to both Pink Jewel and Diamond Seeker for getting me back on the path. (Especially for doing it gently!)

These ten to twelve hour days this past couple of months are obviously beginning take a toll on my reading comprehension skills. Proof positive that even us trade members need to read before we comment or risk showing that our knowledge is less than complete to the issue at hand.

It has been a pleasure to see some of the beautiful pieces posted in this thread.

Wink

 

[pinkjewel]

I'm going to get blue in the face saying this, but two things:

1) As a consumer, you should not be trying to source your own melee. Let the jeweler who builds your piece do that. You should know how much he is paying and that the vendor is a legitimate vendor, but that's it. There have been problems with melee parcels containing simulants, lab diamonds, etc., and there's not yet a good melee mass-screening tool, though several are in various stages of development. So "know your supplier" is very important in melee. Also let your jeweler deal with shipping and issues like what happens if one of the pieces breaks during setting.

2) As I mentioned in this thread, the asking price of fancy pink pointer melee from legitimate vendors (at least one of which has been mentioned in this thread) as of a couple of months ago was $6500/ct and up. If you buy a big order or buy multiple things you can get the price lower than that. Few vendors put their melee inventory online. So you have to call or email... once Passover is done.

Based on some of your comments, are you in the jewelry business?

I haven't had problems with melee stones I have purchased, although they have all been from reputable sources. But, I do agree, I'd see what the OP's jeweler could source for them. All finished pieces I've posted, the diamond melee was sourced by the jeweler-not me.

 

[Gossamer]

I'm not in the biz, but I recently completed a piece with extensive pink melee. Since there are about 85 pieces of melee in there (I forgot exactly how many), the jeweler and I spent a lot of effort to get that part right.

I generally believe in separating the cost of the workmanship from the metal from stones so that you can bid each part separately, but I think melee is an exception. (Some jewelers won't work with stones they didn't sell, but there are many who will.)

Here's a good explanation of the problems of synthetics and simulants in supposedly natural melee, and here's an article on the current status of melee screeners. By the way, synthetic diamonds aren't necessarily a problem as long as they're disclosed as such and the buyer understands the similarities and differences vs. natural stones.

 

[kenny]

My favorite vendor for colored diamonds is Leibish at www.fancydiamonds.net … but they don't list melee.

The below vendor does, in many colors and color strengths.
They list prices too.
I've never bought from this vendor so I can't recommend them; I'm just aware of them.
If I wanted pink melee I'd ask Leibish whether they could call it in for me.

http://www.langerman-diamonds.com/shop/small-diamonds

They offer pinks in four saturations.

Here's the price list for lightest pink.

The strongest pink is much more expensive, around four times the price.

 

[Rockdiamond]

One thing that is very important to remember: few, if any of these melee sized stones are being sold with GIA grading. So basically, it's up to the supplier to accurately grade the stones. In many cases there are inconsistencies in color grading from one vendor to the next. This makes it even more difficult for the consumer.
I agree with those suggesting to allow the jeweler to source the stones

 

[Gossamer]

Good point. The most powerful force to ensure fair dealing is the promise of doing business over and over again. If one professional gives another professional bad stuff, they either sort it out or they don't do business again. Once word gets around, the bad suppliers see their business dry up. (Perhaps they then set up shop to sell to consumers instead?) As a consumer, you're not likely to do business again with the supplier, so you really are dependent on the supplier's good graces and, with no certification or even an efficient way to tell you've gotten real diamonds, you have essentially no way to be sure you're getting anything close to what you're paying for. Thus you need to work with an established jeweler who knows his suppliers and who is known by the suppliers.

 

[minicat]

I am quite overwhelmed with the time people have taken to respond to me, so thank you all very much.

Pink Jewel - your jewellery is beautiful. And the photos and recommendations have really helped me to gauge a really clear idea of which way we should be going and what to look for. Do you mind me asking what sizes the pear and melee are in your pendent?

One thing that I am thankful for is the concern and reasoning that i buy the melee from the ring maker. Thank you for this advice, but on my journey to making my wifes ering i ended up buying the stone, but for one reason or another didnt get the ring made up. I went and found a design i like and found a model maker to make it. I went to get it cast and the model makers dad polished it up. We took it to a setter who put the stone in, then it went back to the model makers dad for finishing off. The dad was an engraver, and I can only assume that some of the skills transfer. He did an amazing job anyway and I was very Very pleased - I originally intended to send it away to be redone by one of the bigger manes, but there is no need! Although it was/is about as simple a setting as you can get - single stone, 6 claws (a little bit like WF's....but different!)

Anyway, I spoke to the model maker again and he just said to bring him the designs and we go from there. I must say I loved the experience, and Im looking forward to doing it again. The only thing you cant really get here in UK so easily are really well cut H&A....or if you can find them they cost way more. Id hazard a guess that Id probably get better quality pink melee, at a fairer price online than I would going to pretty much any shop around here. But I will have a good read of the links Gossamer provided so I can discuss those points with the model maker

Thanks for the price table Kenny. Thats exactly what I was looking for ie it tells me not to go above 2.80mm! lol Which i think is too big anyway, but good to know. Yeah, what ever colour the second table is - deep? - that makes me feel light headed!!!! lol

Acinom, Yes of COURSE i will post photos when it have it all made up and ready

Thanks again for the replies everyone. I got enough to go on with for now. Ill keep you updated.

Finally...... HAPPY EASTER EVERYBODY

 

[minicat]

i thought I should update that Leibish dont have any FIP melee at the moment, but estimate the price to be 3.5-4 times the price of FP melee, which is currently around $7600+ ish per ctw.

 

[minicat]

Hi Everyone,
I have spoken to most of the vendors whos names I can find on here and the vibe I am getting is that some people may have slightly nicer pinks, but call them the same as others ie there is some variation in classification (thats just a vibe im getting, not fact). I guess some vendors will be more strict with their cut criteria than others etc. Prices were much the same(ish!).

But there was one vendor who said that their Fancy Pink was $2500/ctw. Normally Id just keep walking, but their name pops up a lot here so I was a bit shocked. I emailed to confirm that the price they gave was correct and they confirmed it was. I checked they were natural untreated etc and they confirmed that too. Their FIP price seemed good too, but still a bit more in line with other quotes i am getting at 10-15k/ctw.

Im not sure if its the done thing to mention any names, and I dont really want to anyway. But if I dont then I cant get any meaningful replies. So if I just say the vendors company name starts with an RE then I think most people who may reply will be able to guess who I mean, and it will remain slightly oblique to the rest of the world.

Anyway, my point is that many people here seem to have done biz with them successfully, but this price seems a bit dodgy. But if not then its a good deal. But this would never happen.....right? But if not then the alternative explanation is...?

 

[pinkjewel]

I've never purchased from them, so really can't say for sure. What I have noticed is that they have a lot of FCDs that they grade in house (which basically will be all melee anywhere), but I'm talking about some of their larger diamonds, and I think by their pictures they always give a more intense grade than what I think it should be. And that price seems awfully low- you know the saying " if it sounds too good to be true" ...
They may be light fancy pink or even just a light pink, they may have significant inclusions, they could be brownish pink, or they may be poorly cut- or they could be an incredible buy. I just wouldn't bet on it.

 

[minicat]

And that price seems awfully low- you know the saying " if it sounds too good to be true" ....

Thanks Pink Jewel, thats what I thought too

 

[chrono]

I've never purchased FCDs from that vendor for the same reasons as Pinkjewel.

 

[heididdl]

Pink jewel I am considering a DBTY with pink melee ( I only want it 15" and 4 stones is Leibish my go to or Diamonds by Lauren.. I am also considering putting a .25 yellow pear in the center with the 4 pink on either side who would you use