Jewel HowA Quick Look at Pave Diamonds
The word “pave” doesn’t necessarily refer to the cut of the diamond or the actual diamond itself. Pave actually pertains to the style of the setting. It came from the French term that means “pavement.” A pave diamond is set close to each other in a way that looks like a diamond. It means that the ring has been “paved” with diamonds.
With this setting, several small gemstones or diamonds accentuate the primary stone to create a field of sparkle. The diamonds are often so closely set that it is almost impossible to distinguish the metal under them from the diamond. This is the reason why many buyers choose white gold as their band to be guarantee minimal visibility of those metal prongs holding the diamonds in place. Pave settings are also called bead settings.
Due to the extra shimmer, pave settings can make diamonds look bigger than they actually are. This lets you save money because you can always go for a smaller center stone. The pave setting is not the same with rings with side stones due to the density and number of stones. Pave settings look like a diamond-paved street while side stone rings may use bigger gemstones or diamonds for accentuating the center stone.
Is a Pave Diamond a Real Diamond?
No, pave diamonds are not really diamonds. The word pave doesn’t pertain to the diamond or its cut. Pave is the word referring to the setting of the ring. Every single small diamond in the pave setting is attached with metal droplets often called beads. The small diamonds can also be anchored using tiny prongs.
A pave ring is not paved only with diamonds either. Pave rings can be paved with any specific gemstone of your preference.
Most couples like pave diamond settings as these can add a subtle brilliance and flash to an engagement ring or wedding band with no steep addition to the price. A pave setting can also showcase the exquisite focal stone beautifully and this makes them a very popular choice for engagement rings.
Popular Styles of Pave Diamond Settings
Pave diamond settings come in different styles and these include the following:
Micropave
With micropave, small prongs are used to secure the accent diamonds that are set closely to each other. This setting draws all the attention to the diamonds while reducing the appearance of the metal. A jeweler should work with high precision to come up with this particular setting. They often use lasers to make sure that a flawless result will be produced in the end.
Scallop or U-cut Pave
In a scalloped or U-cut setting, there are U-shaped cutouts below the metal beads that hold the accent diamonds together that further add a unique element to the design.
French Pave
Just like micropave, this particular style also features a tiny V-shaped cutout below each diamond. This allows more light to strike the stone with less metal showing on the ring.
In the shared prong style, the same prong holds the two accent stones together that minimizes the metal and allows a tighter and more consistent appearance. This also lets light strike the diamonds and enhances the sparkle.
Channel or Bright Cut
The channel setting or bright cut is the most traditional setting by far. It is named this way since the diamonds seem like two metal walls are holding them together. The setting has enjoyed resurgence in fame due to the increasing interest in vintage-style and vintage jewelry and engagement rings.
Bar
Metal bars on either side hold the diamond accents in proper place in the bar setting. This is secure style of setting that is often used for diamonds of baguette style in eternity bands or three-stone rings.
Surface Prong
Surface prong is the most usual setting wherein a small metal prong holds every diamond tightly in place. These can be V-shaped, pointed, flat, or rounded.
Bezel
In the bezel setting, metal encloses the gemstones or diamonds. It holds the stone tightly in place while adding a beautiful design element. Rings with bezel are very popular not only among women but also among men and are known for their lasting appeal.
All of the different pave settings are gorgeous in their own rights and there are several stylish ways of adding pave designs in different jewelry. Pave details can be used for the following:
- Form tiers of diamonds with no need to bulk up the design of the ring
- Illuminate the center stone with a halo
- Add a faint sparkle to the dainty wedding band
- Accentuate the engagement ring’s large center stone
Reasons to Get a Pave Diamond Setting
Probably the number one reason to get a pave diamond setting is the fact that you can get more brilliance and sparkle at a fraction of a cost.
The pave set rings feature a single continuous shine that creates the illusion that there are bigger and more diamonds than what are actually there. Pave settings also makes it possible to highlight and exemplify the center stone thanks to the side stones and their sparkle.
Pave in halo setting wherein tiny diamonds surround the bigger stone can make the center stone seem bigger and create an extra shine for a low set center stone.
The pave diamond setting is also quite flexible and can work beautifully with both vintage-style and modern engagement rings.
Important Considerations About Pave Diamonds
Just like other ring styles, the pave diamond also has its own set of caveats. This is recommended exclusively for diamonds since it doesn’t provide any protection for gemstones that are more fragile. Aside from that, resizing the ring might be difficult because of the close pave setting. There is also the risk that the side stones will get lost.
