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Everything You Need to Know About Pave Style Rings
The Pave Liberty with a 2.5 carat Radiant cut Diamond and The Myra with a 2.5 carat Radiant cut Diamond in White Gold
The pavé ring uses the brilliance of numerous small diamonds to detail your engagement ring, creating a dazzling display that is fitting for a statement ring. This short guide will equip you with the essentials of the pavé setting and the different variations and features of this exquisite engagement ring style.
What are pavé engagement rings?
Pavé engagement rings are embellished with single or multiple rows of small, pavé-set diamonds
Pavé engagement rings are embellished with single or multiple rows of small, pavé-set diamonds. The term pavé is French for 'pavéd', describing the appearance of the stones. This unique diamond setting creates rows of diamonds set so closely together, that the precious metal prongs and beads that hold them in place may appear imperceptible.
Pavé diamonds may:
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Partially or completely cover the shank or band of the ring (pavé diamond shank or diamond band engagement rings).
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Surround the center stone.
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Be used to create a central feature in the ring.
History of the pavé setting
This intricate gemstone setting is likely to have developed from ancient techniques, but it first came to prominence in 18th century England as a popular method for embellishing intricate Georgian jewelry. The original technique involved carving small holes called divots in the metal to set the stones with the creation of prongs that were pushed up and over the stone to hold it in place.
Why choose a pavé ring?
The Pave Navy set with a 2 carat Round cut Diamond in White Gold
Many small brilliant diamonds constructed together make pavé rings unforgettable:
Stunning appearance
Pavé detailing adds intricacy to any engagement ring design. Placing more diamonds in an engagement ring multiplies the reflection of light to increase the overall brilliance of the entire ring. Pavé-set diamonds are effective at enhancing the beauty of a center stone, as they pick up light from every angle.
Versatile design
You can include pavé-set diamonds in a variety of engagement ring styles. Though they add brilliance they won't overwhelm or distract from your center stone. These rings also stack beautifully with plain or accented wedding bands or matching eternity rings.
Exceptional craftsmanship
The design and creation of a pavé engagement ring requires the expertise and skill of a master setter, who may have to set tens or hundreds of these miniature stones in a single ring. This labor-intensive work contributes significantly to the cost of a diamond band engagement ring.
Pavé-set diamonds create a dazzling display
Engagement rings of this style include pavé-set diamonds, known as melee or accent diamonds, which are small brilliant-cut diamonds that are between 0.001 and 0.2 carats in size. The diamond size largely determines the width of the band.
Types of pavé ring setting
Innovations of the tools and techniques used to set the individual pavé diamonds have led to the development of several versions of the pavé setting. Here are the most common types of pavé-setting used in engagement rings:
Petite Pavé
This form of pavé is like the traditional technique but uses extremely small prongs to hold the diamonds in place. This achieves maximum exposure for an enhanced visual effect.
Micropavé
Micropavé is a modern technique that forms lines of uniformly sized diamonds less than 0.01 carat in size. This more recent pavé technique sets tiny diamonds directly into drilled holes in the surrounding metal. Multiple rows of these diamonds create a honeycomb pattern.
French Pavé
This distinctive form of pavé, also known as fishtail pavé, uses V-shaped grooves to hold the individual diamonds in place. The effect produced makes a ring look as if it is a single multi-faceted diamond.
Pros of the Pavé Ring
This exquisite design is a vivacious and elegant choice for your ring
Here are some of the pros:
More sparkle!
The pavé diamonds deliver a dazzling upgrade to any ring design and are sure to delight both the wearer of this ring and the admirers it will encounter. The brilliance and scintillation of these smaller stones will attract all eyes to your ring finger. This is especially the case if you have chosen a diamond band engagement ring.
A larger-looking center stone
Pavé detailing can make your center stone appear larger. These small brilliants multiply the number of facets that reflect light, creating a glow that enhances the beauty of your center stone.
A cost-effective way of upping your carats
A pavé setting increases the total carat weight of the engagement ring without a marked uptick in cost. This considered enhancement is usually more cost-effective than increasing the carats of your center stone.
Cons of the Pavé Ring
The Pave Clara with a 2 carat Round Cut Diamond in White Gold and The Pave Liberty with a 3 carat Radiant Cat Diamond in Yellow Gold
Bear these key points in mind when selecting a pavé engagement ring:
Pavé is not understated
The pavé engagement ring may be too bold for someone who is looking for a classic solitaire or other understated design. The brilliance of pavé can be worked into a more nuanced design by including a hidden halo.
Be prepared for snagging
If you are a lover of merino or cashmere, a ring with particularly prominent settings and prongs can snag on these fabrics.
Resizing can be difficult
Take care to size your pavé engagement ring carefully, with professional help if required. Resizing and other modifications can be difficult and consequently expensive if you have a diamond band as your jeweler will have to add or remove whole stones.
Is a pavé ring fragile?
The many, individual settings of small stones increase the potential of losing an individual stone. Over a lifetime of wear, like other rings, the settings can loosen or a stone can become dislodged due to accidental impact. This does not mean that the stones were not competently set. Since they are small diamonds, should you need to, you can affordably replace them.
Caring for a pavé engagement ring
Pavé rings can benefit from caraful wear, avoiding rough activities that may increase the risk of dislodging a stone. Gentle cleaning methods like ultrasonic cleaning are also protective. You can also have a pavé engagement ring checked and serviced annually to ensure that the settings remain secure.
Conclusion
Pavé diamonds are ideal for maximizing the sparkle of your engagement ring while keeping all eyes on your center stone. Though pavé engagement rings cost more, a lifetime of beauty and fine craftsmanship is well worth the investment.
