Sealed packet of melee diamonds.
(NEW YORK) – Following a five-month pilot program, clients can now submit round D-to-Z melee-size diamonds for GIA’s Melee Analysis Service. The fully automated system, which rapidly and accurately analyzes and sorts diamonds ranging from 0.90 to 4.00 mm in diameter (approximately 0.005 ct to about 0.25 ct.), addresses trade concerns about the possibility of synthetic or treated diamonds being mixed into parcels of melee. The service is currently offered at most GIA laboratories.
The GIA Melee Analysis Service separates natural, untreated diamonds from simulants and potentially synthetic or treated diamonds, and sorts the screened diamonds by color range. Clients can also specify a size range for their parcel. The system applies GIA’s decades of research into and examination of treated and synthetic diamonds, and processes 1,800 to 2,000 stones per hour around the clock.
The cost of the service ranges from eight to 40 cents (U.S.) per stone based on diameter, with a minimum of 500 pieces in each parcel. Once sorted, the melee is sealed in secure packaging for shipment directly to a third party – upon request and when permissible – or back to the submitting client.
More information about the service and how to submit parcels can be found on GIA’s website, www.gia.edu. GIA laboratory clients may e-mail melee@gia.edu for further details.
