# Pavé setting

> Pavé covers a metal surface with many small stones held by tiny beads of metal, as if “paved”; it gives continuous sparkle.

- Source: https://www.711grados.com/en/pave-setting/
- Language: en
- Note: This entry was drafted with the help of AI and is pending review by the author.
- Published: 2026-09-26
- Updated: 2026-09-26
- Translation (es): https://www.711grados.com/es/engaste-pave/
- Author: Sandra Sánchez
- Site: 711 Grados (https://www.711grados.com/)

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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.

![Steps of the technique: Drill, Raise beads, Seat, Close, Shape, Polish](https://www.711grados.com/media/diagrams/pave-steps.en.svg "Summary of the steps")

## 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](https://www.711grados.com/en/jewelers-loupe-and-microscope/))
- 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](https://www.711grados.com/en/stone-settings-types/)
- [Halo, cluster and three-stone settings](https://www.711grados.com/en/halo-cluster-and-three-stone-settings/)
- [Channel setting](https://www.711grados.com/en/channel-setting/)