Pave Diamond Cost Calculator

Estimate the cost of pave diamond settings including stones and setting labor.

Pave Setting Cost Estimator

Calculate total cost of a pave diamond setting.

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Pave Type Comparison

Compare costs across different pave styles.

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Pave Stone Count Estimator

Estimate number of stones and cost by ring coverage.

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Formula

Pave Cost = (Melee Diamond Cost/ct × Total CTW) + Setting Labor + Metal Cost
Micro-pave labor is 30-50% higher than standard pave

Frequently Asked Questions

How much do pave diamonds cost?
Melee diamonds cost $80-300/ct. A typical pave ring uses 0.25-0.75 ctw costing $50-200 for stones plus $300-800 for labor. Micro-pave costs more in labor.
What is micro-pave vs standard pave?
Standard pave uses 1.0-1.5mm stones. Micro-pave uses under 1mm stones for smoother sparkle. French pave has V-shaped grooves for extra light. Each costs different labor rates.
Do pave diamonds fall out?
They can loosen with wear. Quality setting work and annual inspections reduce risk. Insure pave jewelry as stone loss is the most common claim.

Understanding Pave Diamond Costs

Pave settings use many small diamonds (melee) set closely together to create a continuous surface of sparkle. The cost consists of the melee diamonds themselves (relatively affordable per carat) and the labor-intensive setting work (often the larger cost component). Micro-pave requires exceptional skill and takes longer, driving up labor costs.

The total carat weight of pave diamonds depends on stone size, band coverage, and number of rows. A single-row half-band might use 0.15-0.25 ctw, while a full eternity band with triple rows could use 1.5-2.5 ctw or more. Consider that more pave coverage means more maintenance and higher replacement costs if stones are lost.

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