In a Pave setting, numerous small diamonds or gemstone are placed into grooved, tapered holes almost flush with the surface of the ring. The surrounding metal is then raised to form beads that hold the diamonds in place. Sometimes the metal is engraved to form decorative patterns.

When three or more rows of diamonds are set this way without partitions between the stones, it is called pave, which in French means "paved", like a cobblestone street.

Generally, any kind of bead setting is referred to as pave.

The setting can be flat or dome-shaped, and can be worked to give the impression of one single stone. Pave work can be very expensive.