What Is Pavé Jewellery? Settings, Stones & Hoops

Pavé describes a way of setting small stones close together so they create a surface of sparkle. It describes the setting, rather than the identity of the stones. Before choosing pavé jewellery, read the stone description, look at how the accents are arranged and compare the dimensions of the complete piece.

What does pavé mean in jewellery?

In a traditional pavé setting, small stones sit close together and are held by small beads of metal. The Gemological Institute of America’s guide to settings explains pavé as a form of bead setting. The closely arranged stones can cover a section of a ring, pendant or earring rather than forming one large centre stone.

For a shopper, the useful distinction is between the arrangement and the material. “Pavé” tells you about the setting style; the rest of the product description should tell you which stones are used.

Does pavé mean diamonds?

No. A pavé design can use diamonds or other stones. The word alone does not establish a diamond claim, a carat weight or a stone grade. For example, Reef & Rose’s Jessamine Large Pavé Hoops list cubic zirconia accents in a pavé setting.

Cubic zirconia is a different material from diamond. GIA’s introduction to imitation gem materials identifies cubic zirconia as a material that can resemble diamond while having different properties. Jessamine should therefore be compared as the cubic-zirconia design described on its product page.

What to look for in a close-up

Start with the whole piece, then use a detail photograph to see where the accent stones sit. On Jessamine, the clear accents follow the curved front of the hoop, while the rest of the visible surface is polished metal. The close-up below helps you see the repeated stones and their surrounding metal.

A close-up is useful for understanding the design, but its crop does not show the earring at life size. It also does not establish a stone grade or a test result.

Compare the complete earring size

Jessamine’s listing gives an approximate outside hoop diameter of 29–31 mm and a hoop width of 3 mm. It is sold as a pair of two earrings, with Gold and Silver colour options. The outside diameter describes the overall hoop, rather than the open space inside it.

If you already have hoops you like, compare the same measurement on those earrings. For a more detailed explanation of diameter, width and drop, read our earring size guide. Do not substitute the diameter of an individual accent stone for the size of the whole earring.

How to style pavé earrings

Let the line of accents be the detail that leads, or repeat a small clear accent elsewhere in your jewellery. A plain chain can give the earrings visual space; a more detailed necklace can work too if you prefer a fuller combination. Try the actual pieces with your outfit and hairstyle so you can see the balance from the front and side.

For more outfit and hairstyle ideas, see our earring styling guide. There is no requirement to match every stone or finish.

Care for the complete piece

Handle the earrings gently, store them separately from pieces that could rub against the accents, and follow the Materials & Care guidance. If a setting catches unexpectedly, an accent moves or you notice a missing stone, stop wearing the piece and contact our team rather than attempting a repair.

A short pavé shopping checklist

• Identify the named stone material separately from the setting style.
• Look at the full design and a close-up of the accents.
• Check the complete piece’s dimensions and whether it is sold singly or as a pair.
• Choose the available finish and confirm the current product details before ordering.

Explore Jessamine Large Pavé Hoops for this design, or browse the earrings collection to compare different shapes and levels of detail.