Pavé, micro pavé and cut down pavé all cover a ring in small diamonds, but they differ in stone size and in how much metal you see. Pavé uses slightly larger stones held by small beads, micro pavé uses much smaller stones for an almost continuous sparkle, and cut down pavé sets the stones lower with the metal carved away beside them so the edge looks clean and defined.
None of the three is better than the others. Each one suits a different look, a different lifestyle and a different centre stone. Here is how they compare.
What is pavé?
The name comes from the French for paving, because the diamonds sit close together like stones on a street. Each small diamond sits in its own hole drilled into the metal, and the setter raises tiny beads of metal over the edge of each stone to hold it in place.
Classic pavé usually uses stones that are easy to see one by one. The beads are visible on close inspection, which gives the surface a gentle texture. It can be set in a single row or several rows, and it works well on shoulders, halos and wedding bands.
A grain set pavé band, with small diamonds held by raised beads of metal.
What is micro pavé?
Micro pavé follows the same idea with much smaller diamonds and much finer beads. Setting it is slow, careful work, often done under a microscope. The result is a surface where the metal almost disappears and the band reads as a single band of light.
Because the stones are so small, micro pavé can follow curves and fine details that larger stones cannot, such as a slim halo or a domed band with several rows.
A micro pavé band with several rows of very small diamonds across a domed surface.
What is cut down pavé?
Cut down pavé, sometimes called cut down claw or castle setting, sets a single row of stones along the edge of a band. The metal between the stones is cut away into small V or scalloped shapes, so you can see the sides of each diamond and more light reaches it. It looks crisp and slightly architectural, and it is a popular choice for solitaire shoulders and matching wedding bands.
Pavé vs micro pavé vs cut down pavé at a glance
| Pavé | Micro pavé | Cut down pavé | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stone size | Small | Very small | Small |
| Look | Sparkle with a little visible texture | Almost continuous sparkle | Clean, defined row with open sides |
| Metal visible | Beads visible up close | Very little | Shaped metal between stones |
| Rows | One or more | Often several | Usually one |
| Suits | Shoulders, halos, bands | Fine halos, domed bands, detail work | Solitaire shoulders, wedding bands |
Which is most practical for everyday wear?
All three can be worn every day when they are well made. With any small stone setting, it is worth having the ring checked from time to time, because the beads and claws that hold the stones can wear over years of use. Our guide on how often to get your ring checked explains what to look for, and does pavé setting weaken a ring? looks at strength in more detail.
If you work with your hands a lot, a single row of slightly larger stones may be easier to look after than many rows of very small ones. We can talk this through at your consultation.
How to choose
- Choose pavé if you want sparkle with a little of the craft still visible.
- Choose micro pavé if you want the band to look like a line of light, or you love delicate detail.
- Choose cut down pavé if you prefer a cleaner, more tailored look, especially beside a solitaire.
Every bespoke ring starts with a CAD design you can change as often as you need, within reason, so you can see how each style looks with your stone before anything is made. You can read how that works on our bespoke journey page, and our guide to claw, pavé and tension settings covers other options. Bespoke rings start from £600, and every piece is UK hallmarked.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between pavé and micro pavé?
Micro pavé uses much smaller diamonds and finer beads than pavé, so less metal shows and the sparkle looks more continuous.
What is cut down pavé?
A single row of diamonds where the metal beside each stone is cut away into small V or scalloped shapes, leaving the sides of the stones open to light.
Is micro pavé durable?
Well made micro pavé can be worn every day. Like any setting with small stones, it benefits from regular checks.
Can pavé be added to a solitaire?
Yes, pavé or micro pavé shoulders are a common way to add sparkle to a solitaire. It is usually simplest to plan this at the design stage.
Can a pavé band be resized?
Often a little, depending on how far the stones go around the band. Our guide to resizing full eternity rings explains why, and our guide on resizing a half eternity or pavé ring covers partly set bands.