Pave Setting
A pave setting places many tiny stones closely together, held by small beads of metal, to create a paved surface of sparkle.
Pave, from the French for paved, sets many small diamonds side by side across a surface, each secured by tiny raised beads of metal worked up from the piece itself. From a short distance the metal almost disappears and the surface reads as continuous sparkle, which is why pave is so popular on bands, halos and shoulders.
How pave holds so many small stones
The setter drills a seat for each melee stone, then uses a graver to raise small beads of metal from the surrounding surface and pushes them over the stone's edge to grip it. Rows of stones share beads between them, so a handful of beads can hold several diamonds.
Because the effect depends on the surface looking uniform, the melee must be closely matched in size, colour and cut. A single stone that is off in size or a bead that is uneven breaks the illusion.
Where pave works, and its upkeep
Pave adds intense, fine sparkle to engagement ring shoulders, eternity bands and halos around a centre stone, and it makes a piece feel more luxurious without a single large diamond.
The small stones and delicate beads do need care. A knock can dislodge a melee stone, so pave pieces benefit from occasional inspection, and the many tiny stones make accurate inventory of matched parcels important for the workshop.
- Many small stones are held by tiny raised beads of metal
- The surface reads as continuous sparkle with little visible metal
- Melee must be closely matched in size, colour and cut
- Common on bands, halos and engagement ring shoulders
- Small stones can dislodge, so pieces benefit from checks
Pave Setting, in short.
What are the beads in a pave setting?
They are tiny grains of metal raised from the piece's own surface with a graver and pushed over each stone to hold it. They are formed from the setting, not added as separate parts.
What is micro pave?
Micro pave uses especially small stones and beads for an even finer, more seamless field of sparkle. It demands very precise bench work because everything is scaled down.
Do pave stones fall out easily?
They are secure when set well, but the small beads can wear or be knocked, so an occasional stone may loosen over years. Periodic inspection catches problems before a stone is lost.
Related terms
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