The Beauty of Small Diamonds
Pave settings use miniscule diamonds to cover portions of a ring. These stones are set close together to create the impression of jewelry paved with 
diamonds. A fraction of a carat gives diamond rings an air of luxury. Their brilliance makes pave diamond bands popular as wedding and anniversary bands.
While huge diamonds exist, the ones that arrive at the earth’s surface are usually small. Miniscule gems are more common than moderate ones. While the littlest ones may not be as dramatic when mounted alone, as a group they’re impressive. Pave mounts are used in many eye-catching ways.
These settings are made one of two ways. Prongs may be molded directly onto the band for quicker mounting. With other rings, holders are carved from the shank. The latter style tends have smaller prongs, providing greater focus on the diamonds. Jewels are sorted by color and size, and further organized by face up appearance. Only a select few make it onto the band.
There is no one way to use pave settings on diamond rings. Sometimes they take the place of side stones. They can extend a small distance away from the central jewel, or halfway down the sides of the ring. With other styles, pave settings sit where the main stone would be, creating a field of glitter. The diamonds may also serve as halos.
Some designs cover the entire band with little jewels. Diamond eternity bands feature a row of diamonds surrounding the shank. Pave allows for more stones and extra sparkle. With less conventional styles, like a snake coiling around the finger, pave adds both brilliance and texture.
Micro pave uses still smaller diamonds for an even finer glitter. It’s a good choice for those who want an especially delicate look to their diamond bands. Micro pave can be used on slimmer rings and fill in the smallest spaces.
