Pave Diamond Ring Settings

LoveToKnow Engagement Rings is privileged to have spoken with Darrell Ross, president and CEO of Ross-Simons (http://www.ross-simons.com), the nation“s leading retailer of fine jewelry, giftware, and other items, about the unique elegance of pave diamond ring settings and how best to care for them.

About Ross-Simons

From its founding more than 50 years ago in Providence, Rhode Island, Ross-Simons has grown to be a prominent jeweler with retail and outlet locations located eight states that provide fine jewelry, giftware, home furnishings, and other luxury items to thousands of individuals interested in only the finest pieces. Furthermore, the company distributes more than 50 million international catalogs annually, spreading its elegance and fine tastes throughout the world.

Darrell Ross, son of the company“s founder, Sidney Ross, first pioneered that catalog direct mail venture, and in 1996, he followed it with the company“s highly successful website, allowing interested couples and individuals to peruse the fine Ross-Simons collection with ease and convenience. The company“s distinguished reputation for quality has also led it to be the only jewelry retailer affiliated with QVC, offering its fine jewelry through yet another popular outlet.

Just as Ross-Simons has become increasingly popular, so have pave diamond ring settings become highly sought after engagement ring designs, and LoveToKnow Engagement Rings was privileged to speak with Darrell Ross about these exquisite styles.

The Interview

How is a pave setting different than a channel or invisible setting?

The definition of Pave is setting stones as close together as possible, so as to show the least amount of metal as possible. A channel setting will show a space between stones if rounds are used. An invisible setting is for square or rectangular stones such as radiant, princess and emerald cuts. Pave is always round stones using smaller diamonds.

What are the most popular styles for pave setting engagement rings?

Rounds, radiants, princess, cushion and emerald cuts. Fancy color diamonds and important colored stones are commonly mounted in pave settings.

How does the cost of a pave setting compare to the price of other multi-stone designs?

Pave settings consist of small round diamonds. Therefore, the pave mountings on average are an excellent value. When using fancy shape larger diamonds they are more expensive. Of course, color, clarity and cut of the diamonds along with the metal used always determine the price of any mounting.

What can couples do to trim costs to fit in tighter budgets?

Couples should always keep in mind the center stone should be the highlight of the ring. Too many or too large side stones can be a distraction from the center stone and will increase the cost of the mounting. Couples also should be sure the diamonds used to accent the center stone are a reasonable match for color and clarity. Colorless diamonds should never be used as side stones for a near colorless center stone. Example: If you were to set a 1.00 ct Radiant H - SI1 center diamond with side stones having an E color, VS2 clarity, you would be paying for a higher color and clarity than you need and it would detract from the center stone.

Other than diamonds, what gemstones are popular in pave settings?

Fancy colored diamonds, such as black or yellow. The whole rainbow of sapphire is used, however, traditionally not on engagement rings - more for fashion jewelry.

How easily do diamonds fall out of pave settings?

A pave setting is very safe and secure. There is no need to worry about their security.

What steps are necessary to properly care for a pave setting?

The same as any other jewelry. Rings, especially, should be inspected and cleaned by a professional jeweler at least once every three months. Most diamonds are lost when they are hit against a surface, snag on a fabric, or when the metal prongs simply wear down and are not inspected. Loss can be prevented by a simple inspection and minor repair.

What metals are best to secure pave diamond ring settings?

Platinum is the strongest, however, white gold is the most common and less expensive.

LoveToKnow Engagement Rings would like to thank Darrell Ross for sharing his insight into the popular styles of pave setting engagement rings as well as how to care for them and keep them as brilliant as the day the ring is first slipped onto the bride-to-be“s finger. For more information about Ross-Simons jewelry, visit www.ross-simons.com.

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