Pavé setting

Pavé (French for “paved”) is the setting in which many small stones are placed very close together so they look like a continuous surface of sparkle.

How it is done #

1. Seats are drilled for each stone.
2. The stones are set.
3. With a graver, tiny beads of metal (“grains”) are raised to hold each stone.
4. They are refined and polished.

Variants #

Traditional pavé, micro-pavé (with tiny stones seen under a loupe) and pavé with an open-work base.

Use #

Rings, bands, pendants, earrings and watches.

Care #

It is delicate: a small stone can come loose from a knock. Have it checked regularly.

Step by step #

1. Drill. Make a seat per stone.
2. Raise beads. With a graver, lift a bead of metal next to each stone.
3. Seat. Place the stones.
4. Close. Push each bead toward the stone.
5. Shape. Round them with a beading tool.
6. Polish. Clean between stones.

Tools and materials #

• Gravers and beading tools
• Calibrated stones
• Microscope or loupe (loupe)
• Setter's wax

Common mistakes #

• Unequal stones.
• Beads too small to hold.
• Pushing without control: edges chip.
• Not checking after polishing.

See also #

• Stone settings: types and how to choose
• Halo, cluster and three-stone settings
• Channel setting