Pavé Stone Setting

A popular method of stonesetting, "pavé" comes from the French word for paved or cobblestoned. In jewelry, this refers to surfaces that have been set with diamonds or gemstones close together in a patterned arrangement. This technique gives the glamourous appearance of a continuous covering of jewels.

Products Used for Pave Stone Setting

Pave Stone Setting Process

Pave Stone Setting - Marking a Grid

1. Mark a Grid

Measure and carefully scribe a grid where the stones will be set. The squares of the grid should be large enough to fit the desired stone size with a small amount of space between stones.

Pave Stone Setting - Marking Pilot Holes

2. Mark Pilot Holes

Mark the center positions of the stones where pilot holes will be drilled.

Pave Stone Setting - Drilling Pilot Holes

3. Drill Pilot Holes

Drill pilot holes using a twist drill bur that is about one-half to two-thirds the diameter of the stones.

Pave Stone Setting - Burring Holes

4. Burr Holes

Use a round bur that is the same diameter or slightly smaller than the desired stones. Gradually deepen the first hole to where the table of the stone is flush with the metal surface of the jewelry. Cut out the other seats to match.

Pave Stone Setting - Sawing Grooves

5. Saw Grooves

Use a saw to divide the metal between the seats to create prongs, or grains.

Pave Stone Setting - Setting Stones

6. Set Stones

Set the stones in the seats, ensuring the gem tables are even and flush with the jewelry surface.

Pave Stone Setting - Raising Grains

7. Raise Grains

Use a half-round scorper to raise the grains and secure the gemstones in place.

Pave Stone Setting - Polishing Clean

8. Polish Clean

Remove excess debris using a rotary polisher.

Finished Pave Setting

9. Finished Pave Setting

Use a beading tool to round off the grains, and your pavé setting is complete.