Pavé Diamonds The Difference Between Pavé and Micro-Pavé

A ring doesn’t require a large central stone to dazzle. Often you’ll get a lot of sparkle from a ring with lots of tiny diamonds. They will be placed close together on a band to give a constant sparkle giving a more detailed look to a simple looking ring.

This is known as a pave diamonds setting. Found on engagement rings, wedding bands, earrings and other high quality pieces of jewellery. Pave comes from the French word for paved as the small stones look as though they have been paved onto the metal.

Whilst they look delicate in appearance they require skill to create. How far apart the stones are, their size and how strong the tiny claws of metal are will impact on the overall look.

What makes pave diamonds unique?

Pave is not a specific shape or grade of diamonds. Instead it refers to how small diamonds are set onto jewellery.

Multiple small stones are placed close together and held down with tiny metal beads or claws. As there is very little metal showing between the stones it gives the appearance that the piece of jewellery is completely covered in diamonds.

The individual diamonds are usually round brilliants as the shape works well in small sizes.

Pavé should not be confused with channel settings. Channel set rings have diamonds between two pieces of continuous metal. Pave stones are usually set with individual beads or small shared claws which means that more of the top of the stone shows.

Why pave diamonds look more sparkly

Multiple tiny diamonds can create a stunning effect. Each diamond has its own facets meaning that each time your hand moves there will be a different sparkle than if you had one larger diamond (even though the carat count could be similar).

The colour of the metal can also play a part. White gold and platinum can match well with colourless diamonds so the setting won’t stand out too much. Yellow gold will create a warmer contrast. Rose gold will give a softer colour combination.

However having more stones does not always create more sparkle. If the diamonds do not match well, are not spaced evenly or the metal is too bulky then the pave band may not look as high quality.

Pave Diamonds on Engagement Rings

One of the reasons why pave settings are still popular is that they can be paired with multiple shapes of centre stone.

A classic round brilliant solitaire will look familiar with a pave band. However, the same band can look very different next to an oval, pear, cushion or emerald cut diamond.

A narrow band can help to make the centre stone look more prominent. However if the band is too thin it may not be as ideal for those who use their hands a lot.

Some designs will only have diamonds on the top half. Others will have them surrounding the whole piece.

Half pave settings will give a plain area underneath your finger which can make resizing easier. Full pave settings will give a continuous look however can be difficult to resize.

When looking at different designs in the UK Novita Diamonds would be a great place to look at different styles of diamond jewellery.

Can man made diamonds be used with pave settings?

Yes! Pave jewellery can be created using natural or man made diamonds (also known as laboratory-grown) diamonds.

Lab-grown diamonds are chemically identical, have the same crystal structure and have the same optical properties as natural diamonds. However they aren’t created in the same way.

Consistency of the stones is key. When you have small stones that are all similar in diameter, colour and appearance they will create a continuous look.

Also ensure that you take note of the centre stone and the smaller stones. Just because the centre stone has a grade does not mean that all the small stones will be described in the same way.

Novita Diamonds would be a good jeweller to compare lab grown diamonds in the UK.

Micro pave vs traditional pave – Which looks better?

The main difference is the size of the diamonds and how they are set.

Micro pave uses extremely small diamonds often with very fine metal claws. This creates a delicate look with very little metal showing.

Traditional pave can use slightly larger stones or more obvious beads. You will be able to see the diamonds more easily.

Neither option is better. Micro pave is great for detailed jewellery. A slightly larger pave band can give a textured look.

Quality of the setting is more important.

Things to consider when buying pave diamonds in the UK

Whilst comparing rings you should look at more than just the carat weight. Two pave designs could look very different even if the weight of diamonds is the same.

Ensure that the stones are even, the claws look smooth and that the band will be comfortable next to your other fingers.

Find out what metal they are using, the quality of the accent diamonds and what their policy is if a stone goes missing.

Also consider how the engagement ring will look next to your wedding band. Some settings with some height or unusual shapes can create a gap.

Novita Diamonds would be another good reference. Whichever jeweller you go for ensure that you check the details of the setting and what aftercare they can provide. As much thought should go into the setting as the centre stone.

How to keep your pave jewellery clean

Tiny gaps between the diamonds can cause build up of hand cream, soap scum and dirt.

Using warm water, a mild dish soap and a soft brush will usually clean the ring. Don’t scrub aggressively around the claws.

Take off your pave rings when doing heavy lifting, gardening or anything where they could get a hard knock.

If any stones look loose or the claws snag on your clothes stop wearing them and get a jeweller to check. It can be helpful to have them checked professionally as intricate settings can be tricky to spot any small issues without magnification.

A well made pave ring can be worn regularly however you’ll need to take care of the delicate details occasionally. Ensure that you choose a band that will match your personal style and how you’ll be wearing the jewellery.