The question What are Pave Diamonds? Is one that we get a lot of emails about, and something that we noticed is a great source of confusion. The very way that the question is framed, and how it is asked shows that it is confused with a particular type of diamond cut. Before we delve into our detailed guide on Pave Diamonds, let’s save you some time by explaining that the term Pave Diamonds refers to a particular type of setting that is extremely popular for wedding and engagement rings.

In this post, we’ll cover everything you could possibly want to know about Pave Diamond Settings, from their history, their pros and cons, and some highly valuable pre and post-purchase tips. So let’s begin, shall we?

What are Pave Diamonds Exactly?

brilliant round cut pave diamond ring-min

As previously mentioned, a pave diamond is often confused with a particular diamond shape such as the Princess Cut Diamond for example. That is not the case at all. Pave Diamonds are particular settings that are quite popular, combining a relatively large diamond piece at the center, followed by accent diamonds surrounding the ring.

Why the Name Pave Diamonds?

Originally pavé (meaning to pave), but used in English with the same meaning of pavement or road. These diamond settings are called this way because of their design and implementation. Small diamonds at close proximity to one another circling the ring band thus creating a pavement of sparking luxury.

How do Jewelers Create Pave Ring Settings?

Choosing a reputable jeweler is always something that we recommend, but this is especially the case when it comes to Pave Rings, as they require true artistry. The attention to the care required to create the desired effect from the pave, combined with ensuring sustainable, and safe housing for each piece is crucial.

Generally speaking, pave rings can involve drilling or embedding holes of various shapes depending on the particular style of paving you chose, right into the band of the ring, and using small prongs within to support and secure the diamonds placed inside.

The more detail required of the jeweler, for example, if there are multiple rows of micro paves, the more skilled the jeweler you choose has to be.

Benefits of Pave Diamond Settings


A distraction less enhancement of your center stone.

Unlike many other settings, the Pave Settings is a case where adding more doesn’t hurt your center diamond piece, but in fact helps put more focus it, due to the size disparity and positioning of the paved diamonds compared to the center stone.


Work with Almost Any Type of Ring

Be it Contemporary or Vintage Ring designs the Paved Setting works seamlessly, which is why you can often see it in anything from Solitaire Rings to Five Stone Rings.


Budget-Friendly Approach to Diamonds With Optimal Results

Not everyone can afford a center diamond as large they would have hoped for. The use of paved settings offers a budget friendly way to make your center diamond look bigger and put extra focus on it, and since the diamonds used for the settings are point diamonds (0.1-0.3 or lower) they are not as costly as some other options.

What Are Some of the Drawbacks of Pave Ring Settings?

With all of the charm that a Pavé Engagement or Wedding Ring brings to the table, it’s important to know the cons and the areas where it’s weakest at in order to make an educated purchase. Below are some of the things to take into account.

  • Due to the multiple nooks and crannies, Pavé Settings tend to have, they collect dirt and require maintenance, more so than other settings.
  • While the use of smaller diamonds reduces cost, generally speaking, the overall pricing of Pavé Settings due to the mastery and meticulous work required to create them makes them more expensive overall.
  • While it’s a relative myth that Pave Settings have a higher chance of falling than other settings, it is true that due to the use of small, multiple individual diamonds will mean that on such a rare occurrence you will most likely not notice a piece is missing before any chance of tracking it.
  • Resizing is difficult and sometimes not recommended (more on that later).

Types of Pave Diamond Settings

While there are seemingly endless stunning combinations available with this type of design, most of which can be summarized by three categories, which are primarily different because of the difference in the size of the diamonds surrounding the center stone. While all of them are beautiful in their own way, what makes one ideal over another will be the relative comparison between them and the size of your center stone.

U-Cut Pave Diamond Settings

U Cut Pavé Engagement Rings

The U-Cut Pave Setting is one that often comes to mind of consumers when hearing the term pave. The name stems from the shape of the metal grooves prepared with the specific goal of making a visually stunning home for each diamond piece, as their side positioning gives it an uncanny resemblance to the letter U. The unique positioning of this settings is quite sophisticated as not only does it provide a smooth wave like atmosphere to the ring, it also allows for more exposure of each piece and more light to be shined, while significantly reducing the amount of metal in clear eye view.

French Pavé Diamond Settings

French Pavé Diamond Settings

The French Pavé, also known as the V Shaped Pave, is a setting that has taken over a large amount of the market share due to its sheer elegance and uncanny charm. Like most pave designs it uses metal beads to hold each individual small diamond in place, but the positioning and place of the diamonds is what gives it its unique look, as each piece has a V like shape groove that is cut or engraved into the ring for that particular purpose placed underneath under each small piece. The benefits are numerous, as this allows a clear side view of your ring for everyone to enjoy, and a more natural view of the paved road of diamonds that appear in front of the viewer’s eyes with very little noticeable metal on the way due to its intelligent positioning.

Twist Pave Settings

While not exactly a unique method of positioning or setting the individual stones into place, the concept of Twisted, or Split Shank Ring Design combined with Pave settings is a match made in heaven. Most commonly you would see the Paved Diamonds combined with a Criss Cross type of Twist Ring, but it can also work well in what is known as an East to West type of entanglement.

Consider Mixing Gemstones with Pave Diamonds

Nowadays mixing Gemstones with your Paved Diamonds has become increasingly popular, especially with the Blue Fiery Sapphires. It is usually implemented by placing a Gemstone between each individual diamond piece. So one Diamond, followed by one Gemstone, and the process continues. Ruby’s are also a popular combination.

Micro Pavé

Micro Pavé Settings Engagement Rings

Another highly sought after option when it comes to Pave settings is the Micro Pavé. As you may have guessed it has gotten its name from how small each individual piece is. Each piece is smaller than 0.1 points of carats (with the exception of the center stone), but contain more pieces, or more rows than your normal pave settings. The small size of each piece allows the jeweler to place each one in closer proximity to one another, and the result is extremely stunning, making the entirety of the ring appear as if it was made of diamonds. Micro Pave settings are an incredibly rewarding choice results wise, especially when done by true artists, but while the diamonds themselves are very inexpensive compared to standard sizes, it does take more hours of work to create them, which could result in them being more expensive than some of the other types of Pave Settings on the list.

Bright Cut Pave

bright cut Pavé Engagement Ring

An old-time classic that is still being used today, which also goes by the name of Channel settings. A predecessor of today’s modern pave settings, which remains a beloved choice to this day, especially when used in vintage and antique style designs. As opposed to the U or V-Shaped settings that are used in modern times, the use of the traditional, much more visible metal beads with melee diamonds, most often round cuts. Besides the vintage, or antique appeal that the Bright Cut Pave can deliver on, the metal frames, while more obvious to the observers, are also an added security and durability, helping to prevent damage to individual pieces.

Frequently Asked Question About Pave Diamonds

Below you will find some of the most frequent questions asked by us at Ava Diamonds regarding Pave Settings, as well as other places online where we felt did not address the questions properly or in enough detail.

Can Pave Diamond Rings be Resized?

Getting the absolute accurate measurements of you or your loved one’s finer size is extremely crucial when it comes to rings with pave settings. Why? Due to the relatively small-sized diamonds implemented in pave settings, and especially when opting for micro pave settings, resizing is a remarkably difficult task, especially since the prongs that put each diamond in place are in proportion to the size of the diamonds. Some exceptions exist within those pave settings that implement diamonds partially, and not throughout the entirety of the ring, but even then, it could prove costly, and would only be achieved with a high-level artisan.

How do Jewelers Create Pave Ring Settings?

Choosing a reputable jeweler is always something that we recommend, but this is especially the case when it comes to Pave Rings, as they require true artistry. The attention to care required to create the desired effect from the pave, combined with ensuring a sustainable, and safe housing for each piece is crucial.

Generally speaking, pave rings can involve drilling or embedding holes of various shapes depending on the particular style of pave you chose, right into the band of the ring, and using small prongs within to support and secure the diamonds placed inside. The more detail required of the jeweler, for example if there are multiple rows of micro paves, the more skilled the jeweler you choose has to be.

What Are the Differences Between Pave and Micro Pave Settings?

Both the Classic Pavé, and The Micro-Pavéare stunning in their own right, but there are some noticeable differences.

The Micro Pave, as its name, hints at implements even smaller individual diamonds compared to the classic, lower than .01 cts.
As a result, a significantly larger amount of diamonds can surround the ring, and less visible prongs are needed to secure each stone. However, this can potentially make the Micro-Pavé much more delicate and gentle and should be taken into consideration.

What Size Diamonds Should I Opt For in My Pave Setting Engagement Ring?

The size of the diamonds used for pave settings are quite small, ranging from 0.3-0.6 points for the standard pave settings, and with micro pave settings even smaller, as low as 0.01. Due to the lack of certification such as the famous GIA grading system, for diamonds as small as this (simply won’t be financial to grade them), it is highly recommended to find reliable and trusted vendors to ensure the quality of the diamonds you pay for.

Can Pave Diamond Rings be Resized?

Getting the absolute accurate measurements of you or your loved one’s finer size is extremely crucial when it comes to rings with pave settings. Why?

Due to the relatively small-sized diamonds implemented in pave settings, and especially when opting for micro pave settings, resizing is a remarkably difficult task, especially since the prongs that put each diamond in place are in proportion to the size of the diamonds. Some exceptions exist within those pave settings that implement diamonds partially, and not throughout the entirety of the ring, but even then, it could prove costly, and would only be achieved with a high level artisan.