Pavé set jewellery means that small gemstones are massed together closely in slightly recessed settings in the metal and held in place by a number of tiny beads. Pavé comes from the French for ‘paved’. The massing of the stones in a setting results in striking pieces of jewellery. One of the gemstones used a lot in pavé set antique jewellery was turquoise.
Here are a few pieces that illustrate how attractive turquoise pavé set jewellery can be. The first piece is a stunning large Victorian pendant/locket with a central pavé set dome, surrounded by a turquoise and seed pearl frame. The front is silver and the back was gilded at some stage.
The second piece is an Edwardian ring with a centre pavé set turquoise dome and a gold ribbon border. Some of the turquoise have darkened slightly.
The locket in the photo at the top of the post is a gorgeous piece. It is Victorian and consists of two parts – a round top with an oval locket hanging below. The front is set in silver and the back is gold. There is a glazed back section for a lock of hair or other memento.
The last piece is a Victorian snake bracelet with pavé set turquoise head, a handsome piece.
navette jewellery 