A pavé engagement ring has small diamonds set close together along the band, held by tiny beads or claws of metal, so the band itself sparkles alongside the centre stone. It adds brilliance and a fuller look without changing the main diamond, and it suits almost any centre shape. See our pavé engagement rings page for the styles we commission.
Pavé comes from the French word for paved, as in a street laid with cobbles. Here is what to know before choosing it.
How pavé is set
The goldsmith drills a row of seats into the band, places each small diamond, then raises or shapes tiny beads of metal over the edges to hold them. The stones sit almost level with the surface, which is what gives pavé its smooth, glittering look.
Illustration of a pavé band, not a finished À Vie piece.
Types of pavé
- Classic pavé. Small diamonds with visible beads, a timeless look.
- Micro pavé. Very small stones and very fine beads for an almost continuous line of sparkle.
- Cut down or shaped pavé. Metal is carved away around each stone to let in more light.
- Double row pavé. Two rows side by side for a wider, more glamorous band.
For the detail on each, see our guide to pavé vs micro pavé vs cut down pavé.
Half, three quarter or full pavé
Pavé does not have to run all the way round. Many clients choose pavé across the top half of the band, where it is seen, and plain metal underneath. This keeps the ring more comfortable, makes resizing easier and reduces wear on stones at the base of the finger.
Pavé with different centre stones
- Round and oval. A fine pavé band keeps the focus on the centre stone and adds sparkle at every angle.
- Emerald and Asscher. The contrast between step cut flashes and pavé brilliance can look striking.
- Pear and marquise. A tapering pavé band can draw the eye toward the point of the stone.
Is pavé durable?
Pavé is suitable for daily wear when it is well made, but small stones held by small beads need a little more care than a plain band. Knocks against hard surfaces can loosen a stone over time. Our article on whether pavé weakens a ring explains the trade offs honestly.
Pairing a pavé engagement ring with a wedding band
A pavé engagement ring sits well beside a plain band, which gives a calm contrast, or beside a matching pavé band for a fuller stack. Check the two rings sit comfortably together, as pavé on both can rub. Our guide to choosing a wedding band to match your engagement ring covers this in more detail.
Caring for pavé
- Clean gently with warm soapy water and a soft brush to keep the stones bright.
- Take it off for the gym, gardening and heavy work.
- Look at it under good light now and then for any stone that looks raised or missing.
- Have it checked during regular servicing.
Designing yours with us
Every piece is designed with you in CAD first, and you can have as many revisions as you need, within reason. Once you are happy, a 70% deposit starts the making. Your piece is crafted by specialist goldsmiths, UK hallmarked and sent by insured tracked courier. Diamonds come with a GIA or IGI report. Bespoke rings start from £600.
Browse our lab grown diamonds, design your bespoke engagement ring, or read about the bespoke journey to see how a commission works from first chat to delivery.
Frequently asked questions
What is a pavé engagement ring?
An engagement ring with small diamonds set closely along the band, held by tiny metal beads, so the band sparkles too.
Is pavé suitable for everyday wear?
Yes, when well made, though it benefits from regular checks and from being removed for heavy work.
Can a pavé engagement ring be resized?
Usually, especially if the pavé only runs across the top of the band. Full pavé is harder to resize.
What wedding band goes with a pavé engagement ring?
A plain band gives a calm contrast, while a matching pavé band creates a fuller stack.