Jewelry setting and process for setting precious stones

A method of setting a plurality of stones in a jewelry setting, each stone having a pavillion, a girdle and a crown, comprising the steps of:

• providing said jewelry setting, wherein said jewelry setting is formed of
• (a) a base metal with a central cavity surrounded by a base peripheral wall of a uniform height, said central cavity defining a first layer;
• (b) a first plurality of retaining cavities partially elevated relative to said central cavity, surrounding said central cavity and defining a second layer, wherein each of said first plurality of retaining cavities are individually defined at the front portion thereof by said base peripheral wall;
• (c) a second plurality of retaining cavities surrounding said first plurality of retaining cavities and defining a third layer, wherein each of said second plurality of retaining cavities are individually defined at the front portion thereof by first layer peripheral walls positioned at the rear of said first plurality of retaining cavities;
• (d) incisions in said first layer peripheral walls, said incisions positioned in said first layer peripheral walls to retain the girdle of a stone;
• securing one of said plurality of stones in said base cavity of said jewelry setting and securing the remaining stones in said first plurality of retaining cavities and in said second plurality of retaining cavities;
• wherein when said plurality of stones are set in said central cavity and said retaining cavities, the stones set in a layer other than the first layer marginally overlap stones set in the preceding layer.