Jewelry Glossary

Below are definitions to some common jewelry terms. If there is a word that is not on this list, and you would like to learn its definition, please contact us.

 

Alloy

The mixture of two or more metals which strengthens the metal, and/or enhances its appearance.

 

Bangle

A bracelet that is rigid and slides over the hand. Bangle bracelets sometimes don't have a clasp.

 

Bead Setting

Diamonds or color gemstones are set evenly with the surface of the metal, and secured by bead-like prongs between the stones.

 

Bezel Setting

A diamond or gemstone is wrapped with the metal, where only the crown and table can be seen.

 

Blemish

An imperfection on the surface of a diamond.

 

Brilliance

The amount of sparkle or shine which is reflected from the diamond.

 

Cabochon

A gemstone cut which is polished into a smooth, rounded dome-like surface, instead of having facets.

 

Carat Weight

A diamond's measurement for weight, which is equal to 0.2 grams, as described in the four Cs of diamonds.

 

Cathedral Setting

A setting that has cathedral-like arches on each side of the diamond or gemstone.

 

Channel Setting

Diamonds or color gemstones are arranged adjacent to one another in a channel, with no metal between each stone.

 

Clasp

A device which is used to fasten the end of chains, necklaces, bracelets and watches.

 

Cleavage

Cracks, openings, or fractures in diamonds or color gemstones.

 

Cluster Setting

Diamonds or color gemstones are grouped together, which can be arranged to look like one large stone.

 

Crown

The upper part of a diamond or gemstone, beneath the table and above the girdle.

 

Culet

The small facet on the bottom point of a diamond, beneath the pavilion. Not all diamonds have a culet.

 

Facet

The flat surface on a diamond or color gemstones. The arrangement of a gemstone's facets determine its cut and return of light.

 

Fire

The flashes of color that can be seen when a diamond or gemstone is moved or rotated.

 

Flawless

The highest grading on the diamond clarity scale, which has no visible inclusions or blemishes under 10x magnification.

 

Flush Setting

A hole is created in the metal surface, and a diamond or gemstone is placed inside, where its table is evenly set with the surface of the metal.

 

Four Cs

The four characteristics of a diamond - color, clarity, cut and carat weight - which are used to establish the quality and value of diamonds.

 

Girdle

The middle section of a diamond or gemstone, which can be polished or faceted on a diamond, and typically unpolished on color gemstones.

 

Hardness

The ability of a diamond or gemstone to resist scratches, which is measured using the Moh's scale of hardness from 1-10, with 10 being the hardest.

 

Ideal Cut

An ideal cut diamond has the highest quality of proportions, symmetry and polish, and returns the maximum amount of light from the top of the diamond.

 

Inclusions

The natural unique \"fingerprints\" within a diamond or gemstone, which consist of other elements such as minerals, gases, or other substances.

 

Inlaid Setting

Diamonds or color gemstones are set flush within the surface of the metal, where a part of the metal setting is cut away and replaced by the stone.

 

Invisible Setting

A diamond or gemstone is set in an arrangement where the metal cannot be seen, making it appear as there is no setting behind the stone.

 

Karat

The standard measurement for gold, where 24 karats is pure gold. 14-karat or 18-karat gold is mixed with other metal alloys to strengthen it, and to

enhance its appearance.

 

Moh's Scale

The scale which is used to measure the hardness of a diamond or gemstone, or its resistance to scratches, ranging from 1-10, with 10 being the hardest.

 

Pavé Setting

Small diamonds or color gemstones are held in place by small handcrafted prongs, where all the tables of the stones are set evenly with the metal surface.

 

Pavilion

The bottom portion of a diamond, between the girdle and the culet.

 

Pink Gold

Pink gold is created when pure gold is combined with more copper than other alloys, and is sometimes called rose gold.

 

Polish

The amount of smoothness, or shininess on a metal's surface. The more polished, the more light reflects off a metal's surface.

 

Play of Color

The spectral colors that can be seen in an opal when it is rotated or moved.

 

Prong Setting

A diamond or gemstone is mounted to the metal with prongs that wrap around its girdle, and are usually secured to the crown of the stone.

 

Proportions

The relationship of a diamond's parts to one another, such as crown angle, crown height and table percentage, which ultimately determine a stone's brilliance.

 

Scintillation

The flashes of light that can be seen in a diamond when rotated under a natural or artificial light source.

 

Solitaire

Rings, pendants, earrings, bracelets, or necklaces that feature one diamond in its setting.

 

Symmetry

The precision of the alignment of a diamond's facets. The more symmetrical, the better the return of light.

 

Table

The flat surface on the top of a diamond or gemstone.

 

Tension Setting

A diamond or gemstone is suspended inside the metal setting, where most of the diamond is exposed.

 

Toughness

The ability for a diamond or gemstone to resist breakage (or fracturing) from impact.

 

White Gold

Made by combining pure gold with copper, zinc and nickel (or palladium) alloy, such as rhodium.

 

Yellow Gold

Gold that retains its natural yellow color. Pure gold is typically combined with copper and silver alloys to enhance its durability.