Pave lines the shank with many very small diamonds set close together and held by little beads of metal, so the surface reads as one continuous shimmer. Side stones are fewer and larger, set beside the main diamond so each one shows as a distinct gem. The name pave comes from the French word for paved, which describes the look well.
Think of pave as texture and side stones as structure. A pave setting softens the metal and makes it glint from every angle, while a side stone setting adds width at the top of the finger and frames your chosen stone more boldly. If you like the idea of a diamond band but want something more defined, larger side stones are the way to go.
The two also wear differently. Pave sparkle comes from many tiny stones working together, so it reads as glitter rather than as separate diamonds and adds little bulk. Larger stones beside the center bring their own size and outline to the design, so look at how they line up with your diamond's shape in the product images.
A bright shank sits right beside the main stone, so any difference in tone is easy to spot. In white gold and platinum, which show warmth more than yellow or rose gold, a center toward the top of the G to J range keeps it from looking tinted next to the accents. Yellow or rose gold gives you more room on color. Cut matters as much as ever, because a well cut diamond holds attention even when the metal around it is busy.
Finished pave engagement rings for women help you judge how much sparkle along the finger suits you, and platinum pave settings show the look in a naturally white metal.
A diamond lined engagement ring changes the wedding band question. A plain band gives the stack contrast and a resting point for the eye, while a second diamond band doubles the sparkle. If you go with diamonds, know that a full eternity band, set all the way around, is hard or impossible to resize, while a half eternity band with stones across the top is easier to adjust later. You can browse eternity rings to see both. Under a raised head, a curved or notched band may be needed so the pair sits together without a gap.
Width counts as well. Women's wedding bands are often 2 to 3 mm wide, and keeping the second ring slim stops a diamond lined pair from feeling heavy on the finger.