Pavé diamonds have become increasingly popular in recent times, but they do have a long history. Pavé jewelry diamond cuts of any sort are characterized by setting a number of small stones together so closely that they give the impression of not being held together or set in any form of metal.
The type of metal that can be used with Pavé Diamonds does vary, although white gold tends to be the most popular. Because of the color of white gold, it enables the metal to more easily disappear behind or underneath the Pavé Diamonds, creating the best possible effect.
How to pronounce Pavé
The word Pavé is pronounced pah-vay.
What Is The History Of Pavé Diamonds?
The term Pavé actually has French origins from the word “paved”. The way the Pavé Diamonds are set gives the impression in some ways of a paved road. Pavé settings have actually been around for centuries.
They were first used as far back as the 1700s. However, they gained real popularity in the 1900s. In more recent times, there are a few celebrities that have received Pavé engagement rings. This has certainly increased their popularity around the world. Some of these celebrities include Reese Witherspoon, Natalie Portman, and also Blake Lively. It is also worth reading up on how diamonds are made to gain more insight.
What Are The Benefits Of Using A Pavé Setting In Rings Or Jewelry?
Pavé Diamonds are often used in wedding bands or in engagement rings. There are a variety of benefits to using a Pavé setting. Pavé Diamonds add a very interesting and captivating texture to a ring. Because many smaller stones are used to complete the ring, it often becomes more cost-effective than one big diamond or gemstone.
If Pavé diamonds are used on a ring on the shank part of the ring, which is the part that rests against the wearer’s finger, it can actually have the effect of making the main or centre stone appear much larger.
A Pavé Halo setting has a similar benefit. When the smaller stones are set around the larger diamond
What Are The Different Types Of Pavé Settings?
There are a variety of Pavé settings, each different to the other in small but significant ways.
Micro Pavé
In the micropave setting, diamonds are placed very close to each other, and are held securely in place with tiny prongs. This setting really minimises the impact of the metal. The work required is incredibly fine, and so jewellers will often use lasers to complete this very intricate work, and to make sure that the diamonds are held in place securely.
French Pavé
The French Pavé uses a setting in which small V shape cuts are made in the metal underneath each diamond. For Pavé Diamonds, this setting allows the maximum amount of light to shine onto the diamond, and reduces the amount of metal that shows on the ring, creating a quite incredible looking ring.
Plain Pavé
The Plain Pavé setting uses prongs that are more prominent than some of the other settings, which hold the stones securely in place.
Petite Pavé
The Petite Pavé setting uses prongs that are very intricate and small. They also give diamonds the appearance of crisscrossing or being stacked in rows.
How To Clean And Care For A Pavé Setting
Cleaning and caring for a Pavé setting ring or piece of jewelry needs to be done extremely carefully. While the prongs used are strong, being too rough or careless with these rings can result in stones and diamonds becoming loose. As such, Pavé settings must be cleaned with cleaning solutions that have been designed and tested with specific stones and metals.
A very soft-bristled toothbrush and warm soapy water can be used in place of cleaning solutions.
Remember that harsh brushes and abrasive chemicals should be avoided, as these can damage the ring quite easily.
Another option is to have the Pavé diamonds professionally cleaned. Jewellers will be able to do this using a steam cleaning device or even using an ultrasonic cleaner, which will ensure that the piece of jewelry reaches its best possible finish.
It is a good idea to remove these rings while you are cooking or cleaning. These oils and greases can cause damage to the Pavé Diamonds, and as such, it is often better to take preventative actions rather than having to do serious cleaning afterwards.
Tips for Buying A Pavé Diamond
When looking at purchasing a Pavé Diamond ring, there are some helpful hints to remember and things to look out for.
- It is a good idea to check the ring for any damage to the diamonds, especially small cracks that might appear. This is best done with a strong magnifying glass or otherwise an instrument known as a loupe.
- The surface of the setting should be as smooth as possible. What happens is that if there are any overlaps, this can over time result in small chips forming, or even larger breakages of the diamonds.
- It may seem obvious but check the ring carefully for any loose diamonds. If they even have even a slight wiggle, over time this will increase and it won’t be long before that diamond becomes completely loose.
- The prongs used should be perfectly sized. If they are too large, or stick out too far, over time these will merely become damaged, and this can compromise the whole ring. These prongs should also not hide or mask any of the diamonds and will give a good indication of the quality of the craftsmanship.
- Make sure that the ring is correctly sized before the Pavé diamonds setting is completed. In many cases, it becomes very difficult to resize the ring at a later stage, and so it is important to get this sizing correct at the onset.
Cost of Pavé Diamonds
It is difficult to give a price for Pavé rings. There are so many factors at play, which include the type of metal that is used. Then the cost can vary dramatically because of the total number of diamonds that are used in the ring, as well as the carat weight of the stones. In addition, each jeweller will charge varying amounts for the services and labour.
Whatever you spend, it’s sure to be worth it!