A pavé wedding band is a ring that features many tiny diamonds or gemstones set close together along the band, creating a continuous line of sparkle. The term pavé comes from the French word for paved, as the ring resembles a paved or cobblestone road. The small diamonds or gemstones are typically held in place by small metal beads or tiny prongs, creating the illusion of a surface paved with stones. This setting adds sparkle and style to the ring, enhancing the brilliance of the centre stone. Pavé settings are a popular choice for wedding bands as they are more affordable than larger diamonds and can make the centre stone appear larger.
Characteristics | Values |
---|---|
Name Origin | The term pavé comes from the French word for "paved" or "paving" |
Stone Size | The diamonds or gemstones used are small, known as diamond melees, and are often around 0.01 to 0.02 carats in size |
Setting | The stones are set close together in the band of the ring, also known as the shank, giving the appearance of a continuous line of sparkle |
Stone Placement | The diamonds are placed into tiny holes drilled into the setting and held in place by small metal beads or tiny prongs |
Metal Choice | White metals such as platinum or white gold are commonly chosen to accentuate the sparkle of the setting |
Design | Pavé settings can be added to various ring designs, including vintage, swirl, infinity, and bands with colour stone accents |
Cost | Pavé settings are typically more expensive due to the labour-intensive process of setting each stone individually |
Cleaning | Cleaning a pavé setting can be challenging due to the grooves and hidden areas where dirt can accumulate |
Resizing | Resizing a pavé setting can be difficult, especially if the pavé surrounds the entire shank of the ring |
Stone Security | There is a small risk of stones becoming loose or dislodged if struck by a hard blow |
What You'll Learn
The name 'pavé' comes from the French word for 'paved'
The name pavé comes from the French word for "paved" or "paving". The word originates from Middle French pavé, meaning "pavement". In jewellery, pavé refers to the setting of gemstones such that no metal is visible, especially when the stones are set very close together. This technique is popular for engagement rings and wedding bands as it adds a beautiful dimension of sparkle and texture to the ring.
The pavé setting is characterised by very small gemstones that are set so close together that the surface appears to lack metal holding the stones in place. The stones are typically held in place by small metal beads or tiny prongs. The diamonds are first placed into tiny holes drilled into the setting, providing additional security and holding the stones in place. The beads are then fixed around the diamond to hold it securely.
The pavé setting is a popular choice for engagement rings and wedding bands as it adds sparkle and style to the ring. It is also a cost-effective way to add multiple stones to a ring, as many tiny stones are less expensive than a few larger ones. The pavé setting can also make the centre stone appear larger, as the surrounding stones reflect light and add sparkle.
There are several types of pavé settings, including the U-cut pavé, micro pavé, and bright cut pavé. The U-cut pavé is a popular modern pavé setting where the grooves into which the diamonds are set resemble the letter U. Micro pavé settings use incredibly small diamonds, usually smaller than 0.01 carats, placed in multiple rows to cover the band from every angle. Bright cut pavé, also known as channel set pavé, is one of the oldest styles of pavé and is considered the most secure setting.
The pavé setting is a beautiful and sparkling addition to any ring, but it is important to note that resizing and cleaning pavé rings can be difficult due to the close setting of the stones.
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Pavé settings are popular for engagement rings and wedding bands
The diamonds used in a pavé setting are minuscule, known as diamond melees, and are often around 0.01 to 0.02 carats in size. If the diamonds are even smaller, then the setting is considered a micro-pavé setting. The pavé setting is a versatile option as it can be added to a wide range of engagement and wedding ring settings. It accentuates the centre stone, drawing attention to it, and adds ample sparkle, making the ring look brilliant and luxurious.
The pavé setting is also popular because it can be used with a variety of metals, such as white gold, yellow gold, rose gold, or platinum. Choosing a white metal can accentuate the brilliance of the pavé setting as the metal beads or prongs holding the diamonds will be less visible, creating no contrast in the setting.
However, there are some downsides to pavé settings. They can be more expensive than other settings due to the labour-intensive process of creating them. Additionally, cleaning and resizing pavé settings can be difficult because of the small grooves and hidden areas where dirt can get lodged, and the small prongs that hold the diamonds in place.
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The setting makes the centre stone appear larger
The pavé setting is a popular choice for engagement rings and wedding bands. The name "pavé" comes from the French word for "paved" or "cobblestoned", referring to the way the ring is paved with tiny diamonds or gemstones. This setting can make the centre stone appear larger than it is.
The pavé setting features several small diamonds or other gemstones set very close to each other, creating a field of sparkle. The diamonds are usually so close together that the metal beneath them is almost invisible. This creates the illusion that the diamonds are bigger than they are, allowing the wearer to save money by choosing a smaller centre stone. The thin band of the ring also enhances the size of the centre stone.
The pavé setting is different from a ring with side stones. A pavé setting resembles a street paved with diamonds, while a side stone ring may use larger diamonds or gemstones to accentuate the main stone. The pavé setting is also more affordable than a ring with side stones, as small diamonds are abundant and do not require much faceting.
The pavé setting is a versatile option that can be added to a wide range of engagement and wedding ring settings. It is a design element rather than a type of setting, so it can be incorporated into most ring styles. The pavé setting is an excellent choice for those who want a ring that stands out.
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The setting is more affordable than other diamond rings
The pave setting is a popular choice for wedding bands, as it offers an eye-catching, glamorous sparkle. The name comes from the French word for "paved", as the ring is paved with tiny diamonds or gemstones. This setting can be more affordable than other diamond rings, and here's why:
Firstly, the accent diamonds used in pave settings are much smaller, typically less than 0.1 carats. These smaller diamonds are more abundant and require less faceting, making them more affordable. Additionally, the colour and clarity of these accent diamonds are not considered as high-quality, further reducing the cost. While pave diamonds may not be entirely colourless, their small size makes it hard to spot any tint with the naked eye. Similarly, the clarity of these smaller diamonds is usually lower, as they contain more inclusions. These factors contribute to a more affordable price tag for pave settings.
Secondly, the pave setting itself enhances the appearance of the centre stone, making it seem larger and more brilliant. This allows buyers to choose a smaller, more affordable centre stone without compromising on the overall look of the ring. The added shimmer of the pave setting creates the illusion of larger diamonds, providing more sparkle for a lower price.
Thirdly, the pave setting is versatile and can be added to almost any ring design. It can be used with a wide range of metals, including platinum, white gold, yellow gold, rose gold, and two-tone gold. This flexibility means that buyers can choose a pave setting that fits their budget without sacrificing their preferred metal or ring style.
While pave settings can be more affordable, it's important to note that creating this setting is labour-intensive and requires skilled craftsmanship. The small diamonds are typically set by hand, and the increased labour, effort, and materials can result in a higher price for the final ring.
Overall, the pave setting is a popular choice for those seeking a sparkling, glamorous wedding band at a more affordable price. The combination of smaller accent diamonds and an enhancing setting allows for a brilliant ring without a steep price hike.
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The setting is difficult to resize
The pavé setting is a popular choice for engagement rings and wedding bands. The word pavé comes from the French word for "paved", as the outer exterior of the ring is paved with tiny diamonds or gemstones. The small diamonds are known as diamond melees and are usually 0.01 to 0.02 carats in size. If the diamonds are smaller, the setting is considered a micro-pavé setting.
The pavé setting is difficult to resize, especially if the pavé surrounds the entire shank of the ring. This is because the diamonds are set very close together, and resizing the ring would disrupt the pattern of the pavé. It is important to get the right ring size at the start to avoid resizing issues.
The pavé setting is created by hand, with each diamond placed individually by the jeweller. This labour-intensive process requires a high level of skill and precision. The diamonds are first placed into tiny holes drilled into the setting, and then small metal beads or prongs are used to hold them in place. Lasers are often used to produce a flawless result.
While the stones are generally secure, there is a small risk of a stone falling out or becoming loose if the ring is struck. Regular cleaning and maintenance are important to ensure that the pavé setting remains secure and sparkling.
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Frequently asked questions
The pave setting gets its name from the French word "pavé", which means paved or cobbled. It features tiny diamonds or gemstones set close together to pave the outer exterior of the ring, creating a continuous sparkle.
The pros of a pave setting are that it accentuates the centre stone, adds ample sparkle, and can be added to a wide range of engagement and wedding ring settings. However, a con of a pave setting is that it can be difficult to clean and resize due to the small grooves and hidden areas where dirt can get lodged.
The diamonds are typically held in place by small metal beads or tiny prongs. They are placed into tiny holes drilled into the setting, and then the beads are fixed around them. This process is labour-intensive and requires skilled craftsmanship, making pave settings more expensive.