Jewellery Glossary
A plain-language reference for the words that come up when you are buying an engagement ring or fine jewellery. Every term gets its own page with a clear definition, a few questions people usually ask next, and links to the related terms worth knowing.
If a setting name, a diamond grade or a metal stamp has you second-guessing, look it up here before you decide. The definitions are written the way we would explain them in the studio, with the Australian context where it changes the answer.
How to use it
Browse the A to Z index below, or follow the related terms at the foot of any entry to read around a topic. The glossary is growing, with new terms added regularly.
Browse every term
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- 10k Gold10k gold is the lowest-purity gold you will commonly see stamped on jewellery sold in the United States, made of 41.7% pure gol...
- 14k Gold14k gold is the most popular gold for fine jewellery in the United States, made of 58.5% pure gold blended with 41.5% of other...
- 18k Gold18k gold is 75% pure gold blended with 25% other metals, which makes it the richest, most golden colour you can get while still...
- 24k Gold24k gold is pure gold, over 99.95% with no other metals blended in, which gives it that intense, almost orange-yellow colour an...
- ÉtuiAn étui is a small, slender case, typically cylindrical or shaped like a slightly elongated oval, made to hang from a chatelain...
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- AbaloneAbalone is the colourful inner shell of a sea snail, a marine mollusc found along coastlines like the Pacific, and in jewellery...
- Accent StonesAccent stones are the small gems set around or alongside a larger central stone to make it look brighter, bigger and more finis...
- AdularescenceAdularescence is the soft, billowy glow that seems to drift just under the surface of certain gemstones, most famously moonstone.
- AestheticismAestheticism was a 19th-century artistic movement that believed art should exist purely for beauty's sake, with no need for mor...
- AgateAgate is a banded variety of chalcedony, which is itself a form of quartz, and it forms in just about every colour you can imag...
- AigretteAn aigrette is a decorative hair ornament built around a feather plume or a spray of jewels, traditionally worn pinned into the...
- AlexandriteAlexandrite is a rare variety of the mineral chrysoberyl, famous for one remarkable trick: it changes colour depending on the l...
- AlloyAn alloy is a blend of two or more metals, or a metal mixed with another element, melted together to create something better th...
- AluminiumAluminium is a lightweight, silvery-white metal that is soft, malleable and highly resistant to corrosion, making it easy to sh...
- AmazoniteAmazonite is a semi-precious stone and a variety of potassium feldspar, ranging in colour from soft pastel mint to a vibrant aq...
- AmberAmber is fossilised tree resin, not a mineral or stone, formed over millions of years from the sticky sap of ancient coniferous...
- AmethystAmethyst is the purple variety of quartz, ranging from the palest lilac to a deep, wine-rich violet, with the colour coming fro...
- AmuletAn amulet is an object worn or carried for protection, good luck or guidance, with the meaning sitting in the wearer's intentio...
- AnnealingAnnealing is the process of heating metal and then letting it cool so it becomes soft and workable again.
- Anniversary RingAn anniversary ring is a ring given to mark a milestone in a marriage or relationship, a way of celebrating years spent together.
- AnodisingAnodising is an electrochemical process where metal is submerged in an acid bath and an electrical current is passed through it...
- Antique JewelleryAntique jewellery is any piece made at least 100 years ago, which is the standard definition used by customs authorities and th...
- AntiquingAntiquing is a finishing technique where a jeweller deliberately darkens the recessed areas of a metal piece, typically gold or...
- AntwerpAntwerp, the port city in northern Belgium, has been the world's most important diamond trading and cutting centre for over 500...
- AquamarineAquamarine is a transparent blue to blue-green variety of beryl, the same mineral family as emerald, and its name comes from th...
- ArabesqueArabesque is a decorative style built from flowing, interlaced lines, curling tendrils and stylised plant forms, typically repe...
- Art ClayArt clay is a brand of metal clay, a mouldable material made from microscopic particles of pure metal, most commonly fine silve...
- Art DecoArt Deco jewellery emerged in the 1920s and 1930s, taking its name from the 1925 Paris exhibition L'Exposition Internationale d...
- Art NouveauArt Nouveau jewellery emerged in the 1890s and continued through to around 1910, marking the transition from the heavier decora...
- Arts and CraftsThe Arts and Crafts movement began in Britain in the late 1800s as a reaction against the poorly designed, machine-made goods f...
- AssayAn assay is the formal testing of a precious metal to determine how much pure gold, silver, platinum or palladium it actually c...
- Asscher CutThe Asscher cut is a square step-cut diamond with cropped corners that give it an octagonal outline, developed by the Royal Ass...
- Aurora BorealisIn jewellery, aurora borealis refers to a thin iridescent coating applied to glass or crystal beads and stones, developed by Sw...
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- Baguette CutA baguette cut is a small, elongated rectangular step-cut diamond or gemstone with only 14 facets and straight, unclipped corne...
- BailA bail is the small finding that connects a pendant to a chain or necklace, allowing it to hang freely.
- BakeliteBakelite is an early synthetic plastic, patented in 1909 by Belgian-American chemist Leo Baekeland, and it became one of the mo...
- BandeauIn jewellery, a bandeau is a narrow ornamental band worn horizontally across the forehead, sitting lower than a tiara and follo...
- BangleA bangle is a rigid, inflexible bracelet, usually circular or oval in shape, that is slipped over the hand and worn around the...
- Bar NecklaceA bar necklace is a pendant style featuring a horizontal metal bar, plain or set with stones, suspended from a chain so it sits...
- BaroqueBaroque has two related meanings in jewellery.
- Baroque PearlA baroque pearl is any pearl that formed in an irregular, non-spherical shape, ranging from smooth oval and teardrop forms thro...
- Base MetalBase metals are common metals that are not classified as precious, including copper, brass, zinc, nickel, tin and aluminium.
- Belle ÉpoqueBelle Époque, French for beautiful era, refers to the period in European history from roughly 1880 to 1914, and in jewellery it...
- BerylBeryl is a mineral made of beryllium aluminium silicate, and in its pure form it is colourless.
- BevelledA bevelled edge is a flat surface that has been cut or filed at an angle, typically 45 degrees, to meet the main face of a ring...
- Bezel SettingA bezel setting holds a gemstone inside a custom-shaped collar or rim of metal that is pushed or rubbed over the edge of the st...
- BijouterieBijouterie is a French term for the craft and trade of making fine personal jewellery, traditionally pieces that rely on the sk...
- BirthstoneA birthstone is a gemstone associated with a particular month of birth, and wearing your birthstone is a tradition that traces...
- Biwa PearlBiwa pearls are freshwater cultured pearls that take their name from Lake Biwa in Japan, where they were first commercially cul...
- Black AntiqueBlack antique is a dark patina or oxidised finish deliberately applied to metal jewellery to give it a shadowed, aged appearance.
- Black DiamondBlack diamonds are real diamonds, but they differ from white or coloured diamonds in that their colour comes from dense interna...
- Black Star of QueenslandThe Black Star of Queensland is a 733-carat black star sapphire found in Anakie, Queensland, Australia, and for decades it was...
- BlemishA blemish is a flaw or irregularity on the external surface of a gemstone, as distinct from an inclusion, which is an internal...
- BlingBling is informal slang for jewellery or accessories that are deliberately flashy, heavily encrusted with stones, or oversized...
- Blister PearlA blister pearl is a pearl that has grown attached to the inner wall of a mollusc shell rather than forming freely inside the t...
- BlockchainBlockchain is a decentralised digital ledger that records transactions or data across many computers so that no single entry ca...
- Blue ChalcedonyBlue chalcedony is a pale, milky blue variety of chalcedony quartz, ranging from soft powder blue to a deeper periwinkle, with...
- Blue Lace AgateBlue lace agate is a variety of chalcedony quartz known for its delicate, lacy banding in soft shades of pale blue, periwinkle,...
- Blue TopazBlue topaz is topaz that starts out colourless or pale brown and is irradiated and then heated to produce its characteristic bl...
- Bog OakBog oak is ancient wood, usually oak or yew, that was submerged in the anaerobic peat bogs of Ireland thousands of years ago, w...
- Bolt Ring ClaspA bolt ring clasp is a circular metal finding used to fasten necklaces and bracelets, consisting of a hollow ring with a small...
- Book ChainA book chain is a type of necklace that originated in the Victorian era, made from flat rectangular links of gold or silver, ea...
- Box SettingA box setting is a type of gemstone setting where a small rectangular or square enclosure of metal is built around the stone, w...
- BraceletA bracelet is any ornamental band, chain or cuff worn around the wrist, and it encompasses one of the broadest categories in je...
- BraidedIn jewellery, braided refers to a design where two or more strands of metal wire, chain or cord are woven or plaited together t...
- BrassBrass is an alloy of copper and zinc that has a warm, golden-yellow colour, which is why it is sometimes used as a base metal i...
- BrillianceBrilliance is the white light that returns from inside a diamond or other transparent gemstone to the observer's eye, creating...
- Brilliant CutThe brilliant cut is a cutting style for diamonds and other gemstones that uses a specific arrangement of 58 facets, comprising...
- BrioletteA briolette is a drop-shaped gemstone cut, typically pear or oval in outline, covered entirely in small triangular or diamond-s...
- BronzeBronze is an alloy primarily of copper and tin, typically around 88% copper and 12% tin, though the exact ratio varies.
- BroochA brooch is a decorative jewellery piece designed to be pinned to clothing, bags or scarves, fastened at the back with a hinged...
- Brushed FinishA brushed finish is a surface texture created on metal by drawing a fine wire brush or abrasive tool across it in one consisten...
- BurnishingBurnishing is the process of polishing metal by pressing and rubbing a smooth, hard tool called a burnisher firmly across the s...
- Bypass RingA bypass ring is a ring where the two ends of the shank do not meet but instead pass or spiral past each other, often with the...
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- Cable ChainA cable chain is one of the most classic necklace styles, made from a series of uniform oval or round links connected so that e...
- CabochonA cabochon is a gemstone that has been shaped and polished into a smooth, convex dome rather than cut with facets.
- CADCAD, short for computer-aided design, is the use of software to create precise three-dimensional digital models of a jewellery...
- CaliperA caliper is a precision measuring instrument with two adjustable jaws used by jewellers and gemologists to measure the exact d...
- CameoA cameo is a piece of jewellery or decorative object carved in raised relief, meaning the design stands above the background ra...
- Canary DiamondA canary diamond is an intensely yellow fancy colour diamond, named for the bright yellow of a canary bird.
- CaratCarat has two separate meanings in jewellery and it is worth knowing which is which.
- CarbideIn a jewellery context, carbide almost always refers to tungsten carbide, a compound of tungsten and carbon that is one of the...
- Carbon FibreCarbon fibre is a strong, lightweight material made from thin strands of carbon that are woven or compressed together and set i...
- CarnelianCarnelian is a translucent variety of chalcedony quartz that comes in warm shades of orange, red-orange and deep brownish-red,...
- CartoucheIn jewellery, a cartouche is an oval or oblong frame, inspired by the ancient Egyptian royal cartouche, which enclosed a pharao...
- CastingCasting in jewellery making is the process of melting metal and pouring or injecting it into a hollow mould so it takes a speci...
- CatalinCatalin is a trade name for a cast phenolic plastic, a type of phenol-formaldehyde resin produced from the mid-1920s onwards.
- Cathedral SettingA cathedral setting is a ring design in which arched metal supports rise from either side of the band up to the setting, liftin...
- CelluloidCelluloid is one of the earliest synthetic plastics, made from nitrocellulose and camphor and developed in the 1860s and 1870s.
- Celtic JewelleryCeltic jewellery draws on the visual language of the ancient Celtic peoples of Ireland, Scotland, Wales, Brittany and other par...
- Centre StoneA centre stone is the main gemstone in a piece of jewellery, the largest and most prominent stone placed at the focal point of...
- Chain NecklaceA chain necklace is a necklace formed from a series of connected metal links or elements, worn on its own or with a pendant.
- ChalcedonyChalcedony is a variety of quartz with a microcrystalline structure, meaning its crystals are too small to see individually, gi...
- ChamplevéChamplevé is an enamelling technique in which the metalsmith cuts, etches or routes shallow recesses directly into the surface...
- Channel SettingA channel setting holds a row of uniformly sized gemstones between two parallel metal rails, with the stones sitting flush in t...
- CharmA charm is a small decorative object, usually made from metal and sometimes set with gemstones or enamel, attached to a bracele...
- Charm BraceletA charm bracelet is a chain or bangle bracelet to which small decorative charms are attached, with each charm representing some...
- ChatelaineA chatelaine is a decorative clasp or hook worn at the waist, from which multiple small chains hang to carry useful or ornament...
- Chaton CutA chaton cut is a round crystal stone shape with a flat or pointed back and a faceted upper surface, traditionally with 12 face...
- ChokerA choker is a close-fitting necklace designed to sit at the base of the neck, typically measuring 35 to 40 cm in length.
- ChromeIn a jewellery context, chrome, the element chromium, plays two distinct roles.
- ChrysoberylChrysoberyl is a naturally occurring mineral and gemstone composed of beryllium aluminium oxide, with a hardness of 8.5 on the...
- ChrysopraseChrysoprase is a variety of chalcedony quartz coloured by trace amounts of nickel, which gives it a vibrant apple-green to blue...
- CitrineCitrine is the yellow to orange variety of quartz, with colour ranging from the palest straw yellow through warm golden tones t...
- ClarityClarity is one of the four main quality factors used to assess diamonds and other gemstones, measuring how free the stone is fr...
- Claw SettingA claw setting, also called a prong setting, holds a gemstone in place using small finger-like metal claws or prongs that exten...
- CloisonnéCloisonné is an enamelling technique in which thin strips or wires of metal are bent into shapes and soldered or glued onto a m...
- Cluster SettingA cluster setting groups multiple smaller gemstones tightly together, either around a larger central stone or gathered as their...
- Cocktail RingA cocktail ring is a large, bold statement ring built around a prominent central gemstone or cluster of stones, designed to sta...
- ColletA collet is a band or collar of metal formed into a ring or cup that wraps around the edge of a gemstone to hold it in place.
- Comfort FitA comfort fit ring has an inner surface that curves or domes slightly, rounding off the edges where the band contacts the finger.
- Compressed TurquoiseCompressed turquoise is made by collecting small pieces and offcuts of natural turquoise, pressing them together under high pre...
- Contemporary JewelleryContemporary jewellery is jewellery that reflects current design sensibilities, made in the present day with a conscious awaren...
- CopperCopper is a reddish-orange metal used in jewellery for thousands of years.
- CoralCoral used in jewellery is the hard skeletal material secreted by colonies of tiny marine polyps.
- CorundumCorundum is the mineral species that includes both ruby and sapphire.
- Costume JewelleryCostume jewellery, also called fashion jewellery, is any jewellery made without precious metals or genuine gemstones.
- CountersinkA countersink in jewellery making is the widening of the entry to a drilled hole, cut at an angle so the opening forms a shallo...
- Creole EarringsCreole earrings are a style of hoop earring that is noticeably wider or more triangular at the bottom than at the top, giving t...
- Crimp BeadA crimp bead is a small metal sphere or short tube threaded onto beading wire or cord and then squeezed flat with pliers to loc...
- CrossA cross in jewellery is a pendant, charm or motif based on two intersecting lines, one vertical and one shorter horizontal bar.
- CrownThe crown is the upper portion of a cut gemstone, all the facets above the girdle.
- CrystalIn jewellery, crystal refers to two related but different things.
- Cuban LinkA Cuban link chain is made from thick, slightly oval or round links that interlock with one another in a tightly woven, uniform...
- Cubic ZirconiaCubic zirconia, shortened to CZ, is a synthetic gemstone made from zirconium dioxide, grown in a laboratory and cut to resemble...
- Cuff BraceletA cuff bracelet is a rigid or semi-rigid bracelet with a gap that allows it to slide onto the wrist from the side rather than p...
- CufflinksCufflinks are decorative fasteners for dress shirts that have buttonholes on both sides of the cuff rather than a button, known...
- Cullinan DiamondThe Cullinan Diamond is the largest gem-quality rough diamond ever discovered, weighing 3,106.75 carats when found at the Premi...
- Cultured PearlA cultured pearl is a pearl grown inside a living oyster or freshwater mussel with the assistance of a pearl farmer, who implan...
- Cushion CutA cushion cut is a square or rectangular gemstone cut with gently rounded corners, giving it the soft, pillow-like shape that l...
- Custom JewelleryCustom jewellery is a piece designed and made specifically for one person, rather than selected from a jeweller's existing coll...
- Cut SteelCut steel jewellery is made from small steel studs that have been machine-stamped, cut with multiple facets and polished to a m...
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- Dainty JewelleryDainty jewellery refers to pieces that are fine in scale, delicate in construction and subtle in presence.
- DamasceneDamascene is a decorative metalworking technique in which fine gold or silver wires are hammered into the surface of a darker b...
- Dangle EarringsDangle earrings are a style designed to hang below the earlobe and swing freely as you move, which is exactly the point; that g...
- DepthIn gemstone grading, depth is the measurement from the flat top surface of the stone, called the table, down to the lowest poin...
- DiademA diadem is a jewelled headband or crown worn around the head as a symbol of royalty, authority or high honour.
- DiamondA diamond is a gemstone made entirely of carbon atoms arranged in a crystal structure so tight and regular that it becomes the...
- Diamond ColourDiamond colour is one of the four main quality factors used to grade a white diamond, measuring how much yellow or brown tint t...
- Diamond CutDiamond cut refers to how well a diamond has been shaped, proportioned and faceted to interact with light, and it is widely con...
- Diamond GradingDiamond grading is the systematic evaluation of a diamond's quality by trained gemologists, using standardised criteria to desc...
- Dog Collar NecklaceA dog collar necklace is a wide, snug necklace worn very high on the neck, close to the throat, traditionally made from multipl...
- Double Clip BroochA double clip brooch, sometimes called a duette, is made of two complementary halves on a shared frame.
- Double HaloA double halo is a ring style where the centre stone is framed by two concentric rows of small pavé-set diamonds rather than ju...
- Draw PlateA draw plate is a flat, hardened metal tool, traditionally made from steel or tungsten carbide, containing a series of holes in...
- Dresden Green DiamondThe Dresden Green Diamond is one of the largest and most celebrated natural fancy green diamonds in the world, weighing approxi...
- Drop EarringsDrop earrings are earrings where the main feature sits slightly below the earlobe, typically as a single element suspended from...
- DuetteA duette is a piece of jewellery consisting of two separate clip-on brooches that can be mounted side by side on a shared pin b...
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- Ear ClimbersEar climbers, also called ear crawlers, are elongated earrings designed to follow the curve of the ear lobe and creep upward fr...
- Ear CuffsEar cuffs are pieces of jewellery that clip around the outer rim or cartilage of the ear without needing a piercing, making the...
- EarringsEarrings are ornaments worn on the ear, most commonly through a piercing in the lobe, and they come in a wider range of styles...
- Eco-Friendly JewelleryEco-friendly jewellery is made with materials and processes that aim to reduce harm to the environment, covering everything fro...
- Edwardian JewelleryEdwardian jewellery spans roughly 1901 to 1915, the reign of King Edward VII and the years of the Belle Époque that followed, a...
- ElectroformingElectroforming is a process where a thin shell of metal, usually gold, silver or copper, is built up inside or over a mould by...
- ElectroplatingElectroplating is the process of depositing a thin layer of metal, most often gold, silver or rhodium, onto the surface of an o...
- ElegantIn jewellery, elegant describes a quality of refined simplicity and graceful proportion, where the design feels considered and...
- EmeraldEmerald is a variety of the mineral beryl coloured a rich, vivid green by traces of chromium and vanadium, and it is one of the...
- Emerald CutAn emerald cut is a rectangular gemstone cut with long parallel facets arranged in steps along the sides and a flat, open table...
- En TremblantEn tremblant is a French term meaning trembling, and in jewellery it describes pieces where one or more elements are mounted on...
- EnamelEnamel in jewellery is coloured glass powder that is applied to metal and then fired at high temperature, fusing the glass perm...
- Engagement RingAn engagement ring is a ring given when one person proposes marriage to another, worn as a visible symbol of the commitment bet...
- EngravingEngraving is the technique of cutting lines, letters, patterns or images directly into the surface of metal using sharp steel t...
- Estate JewelleryEstate jewellery is the trade term for any previously owned piece of jewellery that has come to market from a person's estate o...
- EtchingEtching is the process of using acid to selectively eat into the surface of metal, creating recessed patterns, textures or desi...
- Eternity BandAn eternity band is a ring set with a continuous, unbroken row of identically cut gemstones running all the way around the band...
- Euro ShankA euro shank is a ring band that has a flat or slightly squared underside rather than a fully rounded one.
- Eye-CleanEye-clean describes a gemstone whose inclusions are not visible to the naked eye when viewed face-up at a normal viewing distan...
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- FacetA facet is one of the flat, polished surfaces ground onto a gemstone by a cutter or lapidary.
- FaienceFaience is one of the oldest man-made materials used in jewellery, created by covering a quartz or sand core with a vitreous gl...
- Fancy Colour DiamondA fancy colour diamond is a natural diamond with a clear, distinct hue that falls outside the standard colourless-to-light-yell...
- Fashion RingA fashion ring is a ring worn purely for decorative enjoyment rather than to mark a commitment or milestone.
- FeatherIn gemmology, a feather is a small fracture or crack inside a diamond or other gemstone, named for its wispy, feathery appearan...
- Fede RingA fede ring is a ring whose bezel is shaped as two clasped hands, from the Italian word fede meaning faith or trust.
- FerronnièreA ferronnière is a narrow ornament worn around the forehead, usually a fine chain or band with a single jewel or pendant centre...
- FerrousFerrous simply means containing iron, from the Latin ferrum.
- FiligreeFiligree is a technique in which fine threads or beads of precious metal wire are twisted, bent and soldered into delicate, lac...
- FindingsFindings is the collective term for the functional hardware components used to construct, connect and fasten jewellery.
- Fine JewelleryFine jewellery is jewellery made with precious metals such as gold, platinum or sterling silver and set, where stones are used,...
- Fine SilverFine silver is pure silver with a minimum content of 99.9%, often stamped 999.
- FinenessFineness measures how much precious metal is in an alloy, expressed as parts per thousand.
- Flat BandA flat band is a ring with a flat, squared-off profile rather than the rounded dome of a court or comfort-fit band.
- FlawIn gemmology, a flaw is a general term for any imperfection in a gemstone, whether inside or on its surface.
- Fleur-de-LisThe fleur-de-lis is a stylised motif depicting a three-petalled iris or lily, and it is one of the most enduring symbols in Wes...
- FlorentineFlorentine jewellery refers to pieces made in Florence, Italy, or strongly inspired by its goldsmithing traditions.
- FluorescenceDiamond fluorescence is the visible glow a diamond emits under ultraviolet light, most often blue-white, though yellow and oran...
- Flush SettingA flush setting, also called a gypsy or burnish setting, places a gemstone directly into a drilled hole in the metal so the top...
- Free FormA free form gemstone is one that has been cut and polished into an organic, irregular shape rather than a standard symmetrical...
- French CutThe French cut is an early step cut applied to small square or rectangular stones, characterised by a flat table and typically...
- French WireA French wire is a curved hook fitting used for drop and dangle earrings, designed to pass through a pierced earlobe and hang f...
- Freshwater PearlFreshwater pearls are cultured in freshwater mussels living in rivers and lakes, rather than in saltwater oysters.
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- GarnetGarnet is a large family of silicate minerals that share a similar crystal structure but come in an impressive range of colours.
- GemologistA gemologist is a specialist trained in the identification, grading and valuation of gemstones, including diamonds, coloured st...
- GemologyGemology, also spelled gemmology in British usage, is the science concerned with the study of gemstones.
- GemstoneA gemstone is a mineral crystal, rock or organic material that is valued for its beauty, rarity and durability and cut or polis...
- Georgian JewelleryGeorgian jewellery refers to pieces made between 1714 and 1837, spanning the reigns of Kings George I through George IV in Brit...
- GIAGIA stands for the Gemological Institute of America, a non-profit organisation founded in 1931 and based in California.
- Gimmel RingA gimmel ring is a ring formed of two or more separate hoops that interlock and nest together so perfectly they appear as a sin...
- GirandoleA girandole, in jewellery terms, is an earring style characterised by three pear-shaped pendants or drops hanging from a centra...
- GoldGold is a naturally occurring precious metal, warm yellow in its pure state, prized for thousands of years for its beauty, rari...
- Gold FilledGold filled jewellery is made by pressure-bonding a layer of solid gold to a base metal core under heat, creating a durable gol...
- Gold WashedGold washed describes jewellery with an extremely thin surface coating of gold, applied by dipping the piece briefly in a gold...
- Gold-PlatedGold plated jewellery has a very thin layer of gold applied to a base metal, usually brass or copper, through an electroplating...
- Golden Jubilee DiamondThe Golden Jubilee Diamond is the largest cut and faceted diamond in the world, weighing 545.67 carats.
- Green GoldGreen gold, known historically as electrum, is a gold alloy that gains its subtle greenish tone from a high proportion of silve...
- Grey GoldGrey gold is a gold alloy that contains a high proportion of iron, which shifts the usual warm yellow of gold toward a cool, st...
- GrillzGrillz are removable jewellery pieces designed to fit over the teeth, typically over the upper or lower front teeth or both, an...
- GrisailleGrisaille is a technique of painting or enamelling in a single colour, most commonly shades of grey or white on a dark ground,...
- Guilloche EnamelGuilloche enamel is a decorative technique in which a metal surface is first engraved with a repeating geometric pattern using...
- Gypsy SettingA gypsy setting is a way of setting a gemstone in which the stone is sunk directly into the metal of the ring shank, with the t...
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- HallmarkA hallmark is a mark stamped on a piece of precious metal jewellery to confirm the metal's purity and, in some systems, to reco...
- Hammered FinishA hammered finish is a surface texture created by repeatedly striking metal with a hammer or punch, leaving a pattern of small...
- Hand EngravingHand engraving is the craft of cutting decorative designs, lettering or patterns directly into metal using hand-held tools call...
- HardnessHardness, in the context of gemstones and jewellery, refers to how well a material resists being scratched, and it is rated on...
- HeadA head, in jewellery, is the upper portion of a ring setting that grips and holds the gemstone in place.
- Heart CutA heart cut diamond is a modified brilliant cut shaped like a heart, with a rounded arch divided by a cleft at the top and comi...
- HeirloomAn heirloom is a jewellery piece that passes from one generation to the next within a family, usually because it carries both f...
- HematiteHematite is an iron oxide mineral and the primary ore of iron, used in jewellery for its distinctive opaque, gunmetal-grey surf...
- Hidden HaloA hidden halo is a ring of small accent stones set just below the girdle of the centre stone, tucked into the base of the setti...
- Hoop EarringsHoop earrings are circular or semi-circular earrings designed to pass through an ear piercing and form a complete or near-compl...
- Hope DiamondThe Hope Diamond is a 45.52-carat deep blue diamond, one of the most famous gemstones in the world and now on permanent display...
- Huggie EarringsHuggie earrings are small, thick hoop-style earrings designed to sit close to the earlobe, with a depth and body that standard...
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- IGIIGI stands for the International Gemological Institute, a gemological laboratory founded in Antwerp in 1975 and one of the larg...
- Igneous RockIgneous rock forms when molten magma or lava cools and solidifies, either deep underground or at the earth's surface, and it is...
- ImperfectionIn gemology, imperfection is a general term for any internal or external characteristic of a gemstone that affects its clarity,...
- InclusionAn inclusion is any internal characteristic trapped within a gemstone during its formation, including tiny crystals of other mi...
- IngotAn ingot is a bar or brick formed by pouring molten precious metal into a mould and letting it solidify, creating a solid, stan...
- Initial NecklaceAn initial necklace is a piece of personalised jewellery featuring a letter-shaped pendant, worn to represent your own name, a...
- InitialsInitials in jewellery refers to any piece personalised with the first letters of a person's name, whether engraved on the back...
- InlaidInlaid describes jewellery or metalwork in which a material has been set into a recessed or hollowed area of the surface so tha...
- InlayInlay is a decorative technique in which a section of the surface of a jewellery piece is cut away and a contrasting material i...
- IntaglioAn intaglio is a design carved down into the surface of a gemstone or hardstone, so the image sits below the surrounding level...
- IoliteIolite is a transparent to translucent gemstone cut from the mineral cordierite, ranging in colour from a soft violet to a rich...
- IridescentIridescent describes a surface that produces shifting, rainbow-like colours as the angle of light or the viewing angle changes,...
- IridiumIridium is a dense, silvery-white metal belonging to the platinum group, and in jewellery it is used primarily as an alloying e...
- IrradiationIrradiation is a treatment applied to gemstones and pearls to alter or enhance their colour by exposing them to controlled radi...
- IvoryIvory is the hard, creamy white dentine that forms the tusks of elephants, walruses and a few other animals, and it has been ca...
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- JadeJade is the name given to two distinct minerals, jadeite and nephrite, which look similar but have different chemical compositi...
- JadeiteJadeite is a sodium aluminium silicate mineral and the finer, rarer of the two minerals known as jade.
- JasperJasper is an opaque, fine-grained variety of chalcedony quartz that forms in virtually every colour, with reds, yellows, browns...
- JetJet is a dense, black variety of lignite, essentially a fossilised wood formed from ancient trees compressed over millions of y...
- Jewellery AppraisalA jewellery appraisal is a written assessment of a piece's monetary value, carried out by a qualified appraiser or certified ge...
- Jump RingA jump ring is a small, circular or oval ring made from a single loop of wire with a cut that allows it to be opened and closed...
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- KaratKarat, often spelled carat in Britain and Australia and shortened to ct or k, is a measure of the purity of gold, expressed as...
- Knife EdgeA knife edge ring has a band that comes to a sharp, narrow ridge along the top of the shank, so the profile looks like the spin...
- KnotIn jewellery, a knot is a decorative motif made from curved or looped metal pieces that are interlaced and then soldered togeth...
- KnottingKnotting is the technique of tying a small, tight knot in the thread between each pearl or bead on a strung necklace or bracelet.
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- Lab-Grown DiamondA lab-grown diamond is a real diamond grown in a laboratory rather than mined from the earth, and it has exactly the same chemi...
- Lab-Grown GemstoneLab grown gemstones are real gems produced in laboratory conditions using processes that replicate the chemical and physical en...
- LabradoriteLabradorite is a feldspar mineral first collected on the Labrador coast of Canada, and it is prized in jewellery for an optical...
- LapidaryLapidary refers to the craft of cutting, shaping and polishing gemstones and minerals, and also to the person who practises it.
- Lapis LazuliLapis lazuli is an opaque metamorphic rock prized for its intense royal blue colour, used in jewellery and art for over five th...
- Laser DrillingLaser drilling is a clarity treatment used on diamonds, where a fine laser beam is aimed at a dark inclusion inside the stone,...
- Laser EngravingLaser engraving on jewellery uses a focused, high-powered laser beam to vaporise a shallow layer of metal and etch a design, te...
- LavaliereA lavaliere is a delicate necklace from which a single ornament or gemstone hangs at the centre of a fine chain.
- Lever BackA lever back is a type of earring fastening where a curved wire passes through the ear piercing and then clips shut under a sma...
- Light LeakageLight leakage in a faceted gemstone describes what happens when light entering the crown passes straight out through the pavili...
- Lobster ClaspA lobster clasp is a small, spring-loaded clasp shaped roughly like a lobster claw, with a hinged gate that opens when you pres...
- LocketA locket is a pendant with two hinged halves that opens to reveal a small space inside, traditionally used to hold a photograph...
- London Blue TopazLondon Blue Topaz is the darkest and most intensely saturated variety of blue topaz, showing a deep steely blue with subtle gre...
- LoupeA loupe is a small, portable magnifying glass used by jewellers and gemologists to examine gemstones, hallmarks, settings and s...
- Low-Profile SettingA low-profile setting is one where the centre stone sits close to the band of the ring rather than being raised up on a tall he...
- LuciteLucite is a brand name for polymethyl methacrylate, commonly known as acrylic, produced by DuPont.
- LustreLustre is the way a material's surface appears to reflect light, determined by the quantity of light returned and the quality a...
- Luxury JewelleryLuxury jewellery is fine jewellery made from precious metals such as gold and platinum, set with high-quality diamonds or gemst...
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- Mabé PearlA mabé pearl, also spelled mabe, is a cultured blister pearl grown against the inner surface of a mollusc shell rather than fre...
- MalachiteMalachite is an opaque green copper carbonate mineral known for its striking concentric bands and swirling patterns in shades o...
- Maltese CrossA Maltese cross is a symmetrical cross shape with four broad arms of equal length that widen towards the tips, each arm having...
- MarcasiteMarcasite jewellery uses small, faceted stones cut from iron pyrite, set into silver or white metal to create a dark, glinting...
- Marquise CutA marquise cut is an elongated, boat-shaped diamond or gemstone faceted with an oval outline that tapers to a sharp point at ea...
- Matching JewelleryMatching jewellery describes a set of two or more pieces designed to be worn together, unified by shared elements such as the s...
- Matte FinishA matte finish on jewellery is a surface treatment that creates a smooth, flat, non-reflective appearance rather than the brigh...
- MeleeMelee is the term used in the diamond trade for small diamonds, generally those weighing less than around 0.20 carats each, use...
- Memento MoriMemento mori is a Latin phrase meaning remember that you will die, and memento mori jewellery is worn as a deliberate reminder...
- Metamorphic RockMetamorphic rock is rock that has been transformed by intense heat, pressure or hydrothermal fluids deep within the earth, chan...
- MeteoriteMeteorite jewellery uses slices or inlays of real meteorite, most often iron-nickel meteorite, set into rings, pendants and cuf...
- Micro MosaicMicro mosaic jewellery is made by fitting hundreds of tiny coloured glass pieces, called tesserae, into a glass or hardstone ba...
- MilgrainMilgrain is a decorative technique in which a row of tiny metal beads or dots is pressed along the edge of a setting, band or b...
- MillefioriMillefiori, Italian for a thousand flowers, is a glasswork technique in which rods of different coloured glass are fused togeth...
- MinaudièreA minaudière is a small, rigid evening bag made from metal, lacquer or wood, often decorated with gemstones, enamel or intricat...
- Minimalist JewelleryMinimalist jewellery is a design approach that strips pieces back to clean, simple forms with no excess decoration, letting the...
- Mixed Metal JewelleryMixed metal jewellery combines two or more metal colours, most often yellow gold, white gold or silver, and rose gold, either w...
- Mizpah RingA Mizpah ring is a broad gold or silver ring engraved with the word MIZPAH, a Hebrew term meaning watchtower or lookout.
- Mohs Hardness ScaleThe Mohs hardness scale is a ranking from 1 to 10 that describes how resistant a mineral or gemstone is to being scratched, whe...
- MoissaniteMoissanite is a gemstone made of silicon carbide, originally discovered in 1893 by Henri Moissan in a meteorite crater in Arizona.
- Mokumé GaneMokumé gane is a Japanese metalworking technique in which sheets of different metals, typically combinations of gold, silver, c...
- Money ClipA money clip is a small, flat device, usually made from metal, that holds folded banknotes and a few cards together in a compac...
- Montana SapphireMontana sapphires are natural sapphires mined in the state of Montana, USA, primarily from the Yogo Gulch deposit and several a...
- MoonstoneMoonstone is a variety of feldspar mineral, ranging from white and grey through peach, champagne and occasionally blue, and it...
- MorganiteMorganite is the pink to peach variety of beryl, the same mineral family that includes emerald and aquamarine, with its colour...
- Mosaic JewelleryMosaic jewellery uses small pieces of stone, glass or ceramic, called tesserae, pressed or set into a base of mortar, metal or...
- Mother of PearlMother of pearl is the iridescent inner lining of mollusk shells, also called nacre, and it is the same material that makes up...
- Mourning JewelleryMourning jewellery is jewellery made and worn to commemorate the death of a loved one, a tradition with deep roots in the Georg...
- Moval CutA moval cut is a gemstone shape that sits between a marquise and an oval, borrowing the tapered pointed ends of a marquise and...
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- NacreNacre is the iridescent material that mollusks such as oysters and mussels secrete in thin crystalline layers as a protective c...
- Natural DiamondA natural diamond is a diamond formed in the earth's mantle under extreme heat and pressure over billions of years, brought clo...
- Natural PearlA natural pearl is one that forms entirely without human involvement, produced when a wild mollusc, most often an oyster, respo...
- NecklaceA necklace is an ornament worn around the neck, ranging from a delicate chain with a single pendant to a multi-strand statement...
- NickelNickel is a hard, silvery metal used in jewellery primarily as an alloy ingredient, added to white gold to achieve its pale col...
- Nickel SilverNickel silver, also called German silver, is a silver-coloured alloy made from copper, nickel and zinc that contains absolutely...
- NielloNiello is an inlay technique in which grooves or recesses engraved into gold or silver are filled with a black composition made...
- NumismaticsNumismatics is the study and collection of coins, banknotes, tokens and medals, with an interest in their history, artistry and...
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- OilingOiling is a gemstone treatment in which a colourless or lightly tinted oil or resin is introduced into surface-reaching fractur...
- Old European CutThe old European cut is the primary antique round diamond cut used from approximately 1890 to the 1930s, before modern cutting...
- Old Mine CutThe old mine cut is the earliest form of modern-style diamond cutting, originating in the 1700s and remaining popular through t...
- OnyxOnyx is a variety of chalcedony quartz that forms with parallel banding of alternating colours, most commonly black and white.
- OpalOpal is a mineraloid, not a crystal, formed from silica and water, and it is prized for its play of colour, the shifting spectr...
- OpalescentOpalescent describes a surface that shows a soft, milky, shifting play of colour, the kind of luminous rainbow sheen you see on...
- OpaqueOpaque, in the context of gemstones and jewellery, means that no light passes through the stone at all.
- OreOre is naturally occurring rock or mineral material that contains metal in high enough concentrations to make extraction worthw...
- Oval CutAn oval cut is a faceted, elongated gemstone shape, rounded at both ends and wider in the middle, cut in the brilliant style so...
- OxideAn oxide is a compound that forms when a metal reacts with oxygen, and in jewellery making these surface reactions are a consta...
- Oxidised JewelleryOxidised jewellery is metal, most often silver, that has been deliberately treated with chemicals to produce a darkened, aged s...
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- Padparadscha SapphireA padparadscha sapphire is one of the rarest and most coveted varieties of corundum, distinguished by its unique blend of pink...
- PalladiumPalladium is a rare, naturally white precious metal that belongs to the platinum group of elements and is found mainly in Russi...
- PallionsPallions are the tiny pre-cut pieces of solder used in jewellery making, snipped from sheet or wire solder into small squares o...
- ParureA parure is a matched suite of jewellery, designed so that each piece shares the same style, materials and gemstones, creating...
- Paste JewelleryPaste jewellery uses carefully formulated lead glass to simulate gemstones, cut and polished by hand into faceted stones that m...
- PatinaPatina is the surface layer that forms on metal as it ages and reacts with its environment, changing its colour and texture in...
- PavéPavé is a setting style in which many small stones are set closely together across the surface of a piece, with minimal metal v...
- Pear CutA pear cut is a teardrop-shaped gemstone that combines the rounded base of an oval with the pointed tip of a marquise, cut in t...
- PearlA pearl is an organic gem formed inside a mollusc, most commonly an oyster or mussel, when the creature responds to an irritant...
- PearlescentPearlescent describes a surface finish or material that has the soft, deep, slightly iridescent lustre associated with a fine p...
- PendantA pendant is a decorative element designed to hang freely from a necklace chain, cord or strand, making it the central feature...
- PeridotPeridot is a yellow-green gemstone and the gem-quality variety of olivine, one of the few gemstones that comes in only one colour.
- Petite JewelleryPetite jewellery refers to pieces made on a smaller, finer scale than standard sizing, whether that means a narrower band, a sm...
- PewterPewter is a metal alloy composed primarily of tin, typically at least 90%, with small amounts of copper, antimony or bismuth ad...
- PicklePickle, in jewellery making, is a mildly acidic solution used to clean metal after it has been heated for annealing, soldering...
- Picture JasperPicture jasper is a variety of jasper, which is itself an opaque form of chalcedony quartz, characterised by naturally occurrin...
- Piercing SawA piercing saw is a fine-bladed frame saw used in jewellery making to cut metal sheet, pierce interior shapes and create intric...
- Pietra DuraPietra dura is an Italian mosaic technique in which precisely shaped pieces of coloured semi-precious stones are inlaid into a...
- PinchbeckPinchbeck is a copper-zinc alloy with a convincingly gold-like colour, invented around 1720 by London watchmaker and jeweller C...
- PlanishingPlanishing is a metalworking technique where a jeweller or smith repeatedly hammers a piece of metal with a polished, slightly...
- PlatingPlating is the process of depositing a thin layer of one metal onto the surface of another, most often by passing an electrical...
- PlatinumPlatinum is a naturally white, very dense precious metal found in small quantities in South Africa and Russia, and it has been...
- Plique-à-JourPlique-à-jour is a form of cloisonné enamelling where the cells of enamel have no metal backing, so light passes right through...
- PolishIn jewellery, polish refers to two related things.
- PomanderA pomander is a small decorative case designed to hold scented materials, worn as a pendant or carried in the hand, and it was...
- PorosityPorosity in jewellery refers to a manufacturing defect that occurs during casting, when air or gas bubbles become trapped insid...
- Posy RingA posy ring is a simple band engraved with a short verse, phrase or motto, usually in French or Latin in medieval examples and...
- Pot MetalPot metal is a broad informal term for alloys made from a mixture of low-cost metals, typically including combinations of zinc,...
- Precious GemstonePrecious gemstone is a traditional classification applied to just four stones: diamond, ruby, sapphire and emerald.
- Precious MetalPrecious metals are naturally occurring metallic elements prized for their rarity, durability and attractive appearance, and in...
- Princess CutThe princess cut is a square or slightly rectangular diamond cut with brilliant-style faceting on its lower half, meaning it de...
- PyritePyrite is an iron sulphide mineral with a bright, brassy-gold metallic lustre that has fooled prospectors for centuries, earnin...
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- Radiant CutThe radiant cut is a rectangular or square diamond with cropped corners and brilliant-style faceting on both its crown and pavi...
- RefinishingRefinishing in jewellery is the process of restoring a piece's surface to its original appearance after it has been worn, scrat...
- RefractionRefraction is the bending of light as it passes from one transparent medium into another, for instance from air into a gemstone...
- ReliefIn jewellery and decorative arts, relief describes any raised design that projects above the background surface of the material.
- RemountingRemounting is the process of taking an existing gemstone and setting it into a new piece of jewellery, whether to repair a dama...
- RepousséRepoussé is the technique of creating a raised, three-dimensional relief design on sheet metal by working from the reverse side...
- RhinestoneA rhinestone is a faceted piece of glass or rock crystal cut to imitate the sparkle of a diamond, used in costume jewellery and...
- RhodiumRhodium is a rare precious metal belonging to the platinum group, valued for its brilliant white colour, high reflectivity and...
- RhodoliteRhodolite is a variety of garnet with a distinctive pink to violet-red or raspberry colour, sitting between the purple of alman...
- RingA ring is a circular band, typically of precious or semi-precious metal, worn on the finger as decoration, as a symbol of commi...
- Ring EnhancerA ring enhancer, also called a ring wrap or ring guard, is a curved band designed to sit around an existing ring, framing it an...
- Ring SizeRing size is the measurement that describes how a ring fits on the finger, based on the inner circumference or diameter of the...
- RivetingRiveting in jewellery is a cold-connection technique for joining two or more pieces of metal without using heat or solder.
- RivièreA rivière is a necklace consisting of a single continuous line of gemstones, all individually set with no connecting metal link...
- Rock CrystalRock crystal is the name given to colourless, perfectly transparent quartz, one of the most abundant minerals on earth.
- RondelleA rondelle is a small, flat disc-shaped bead used as a spacer between larger beads or gems in strung jewellery.
- RosaryA rosary is a string of beads used in Catholic devotional prayer, with specific groups of beads corresponding to particular pra...
- Rose CutA rose cut is one of the oldest diamond cuts still in use, dating to around the mid-1500s and described as having a flat base w...
- Rose GoldRose gold is a gold alloy where copper is the main additional metal, and it is that copper that gives it the warm, blush-pink c...
- Rose QuartzRose quartz is the pale pink to soft peachy-rose variety of quartz, and it gets its colour from microscopic inclusions of a fib...
- Round Brilliant CutThe round brilliant cut is the most popular diamond shape in the world, designed specifically to maximise the brilliance, fire...
- RubelliteRubellite is the trade name for the richest, most intensely coloured red and pink varieties of tourmaline.
- RubyRuby is a variety of corundum, the mineral form of aluminium oxide, coloured red by traces of chromium in the crystal structure.
- Rutilated QuartzRutilated quartz is transparent rock crystal quartz that contains inclusions of rutile, a titanium dioxide mineral that forms a...
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- Safety CatchA safety catch is the small locking mechanism on a brooch that secures the tip of the pin stem once it has been pushed through...
- Salt-and-Pepper DiamondA salt-and-pepper diamond is a diamond with many black and white inclusions scattered through the stone, creating a speckled, s...
- Sand CastingSand casting is a metalworking method in which a pattern of the desired piece is pressed into specialised compacted sand to cre...
- Sandblasted FinishA sandblasted finish is a deliberately matte, slightly rough surface texture applied to a jewellery piece by blasting it with a...
- SapphireSapphire is a variety of corundum, the same mineral family as ruby, and it comes in almost every colour imaginable: the most fa...
- SardonyxSardonyx is a variety of onyx that shows alternating bands of sard, which is a reddish-brown to orange-brown form of chalcedony...
- Satin FinishA satin finish is a surface texture on metal jewellery created by brushing the surface with a wire brush or abrasive tool to pr...
- ScallopIn jewellery, a scallop refers to a decorative edge consisting of a series of small semicircular or rounded projections that to...
- ScarabA scarab in jewellery is a pendant, ring, brooch or carved gem in the form of a scarab beetle, taken from the ancient Egyptian...
- SceptreA sceptre is an ornamental staff or rod carried as a symbol of royal or spiritual authority, and some of the most heavily jewel...
- ScrollworkScrollwork is a style of decorative metalwork and engraving featuring spiral and curling forms that evoke the appearance of a s...
- Sedimentary RockSedimentary rock is formed by the accumulation and compaction of mineral particles, organic material or chemical deposits over...
- Seed BeadSeed beads are tiny glass beads mass-produced by drawing molten glass into a long thin tube and then slicing it into small, eve...
- Seed PearlSeed pearls are very small natural pearls, usually under two millimetres in diameter and sometimes as tiny as one millimetre, t...
- Semi-Precious StonesSemi-precious stones are natural gemstones that fall outside the four traditionally classified as precious, which are diamond,...
- SettingA setting in jewellery refers to the method by which a gemstone is held securely within the metal of a piece.
- SévignéA sévigné is a jewelled brooch or bodice ornament set with gemstones in the form of a bowknot or ribbon bow, worn pinned to the...
- ShagreenShagreen is the rough, granular skin of rays and sharks, historically prepared and used as a covering material for small luxury...
- ShamrockThe shamrock is a small three-leaved plant, most associated with clover, and serves as the national emblem of Ireland.
- Shield CutA shield cut is a five-sided gemstone shape that is wide across the top and tapers toward a pointed base, vaguely resembling a...
- Signet RingA signet ring is a ring with a flat oval or round face, traditionally engraved with a personal seal, monogram, family crest or...
- SilverSilver is a precious metal prized for its bright, cool-white lustre and the highest reflectivity of any metal, which makes it i...
- Silver ToneSilver tone is a term used to describe jewellery that has a silver-coloured appearance but is made from a base metal, often zin...
- Smoky QuartzSmoky quartz is a variety of quartz that ranges in colour from a pale, cloudy grey-brown through to a deep, nearly black shade,...
- Smoky TopazSmoky topaz is a trade name for smoky quartz, a brown to grey variety of quartz, and it is not a type of topaz at all.
- Snake ChainA snake chain is made from small, tightly fitted round or curved metal rings linked side by side to create a smooth, flexible t...
- SodaliteSodalite is an opaque blue mineral that ranges from a rich denim blue to deep indigo, typically patterned with white or grey ve...
- SolderingSoldering in jewellery making is the process of joining two pieces of metal permanently by applying a third metal, called solde...
- SparkleSparkle in a gemstone or polished metal comes from the way light bounces, bends and scatters as it interacts with the surface a...
- SpinelSpinel is a beautiful gemstone made of magnesium aluminium oxide, found in a wide range of colours including vivid red, pink, b...
- Split RingA split ring in jewellery making is a small finding made from a tightly wound double loop of wire, essentially a miniature key...
- Split ShankA split shank is a ring design where the band divides into two separate arms as it rises toward the centre stone, framing the s...
- Spring Ring ClaspA spring ring clasp is one of the most common ways to fasten a necklace or bracelet.
- SprueIn jewellery casting, a sprue is a thin rod or channel of wax or metal that connects the model piece to the main body of the ca...
- Square CutA square cut is a broad term for any gemstone fashioned into a square outline, and it covers several distinct faceting styles.
- Stacking RingsStacking rings are slim bands designed to be worn layered together on a single finger, mixed and matched in any combination of...
- Stainless SteelStainless steel is a steel alloy containing chromium, usually at least 10.5%, which gives it exceptional resistance to rust and...
- StampingStamping in jewellery making is a technique that uses a hardened steel punch or die, struck with a hammer or press, to leave an...
- Statement JewelleryStatement jewellery is any piece designed to be bold, eye-catching and the clear focal point of an outfit.
- Step CutA step cut is a style of gemstone faceting where the facets are long, rectangular and arranged in parallel rows that step down...
- Sterling SilverSterling silver is an alloy of 92.5% pure silver and 7.5% other metal, almost always copper, which adds the hardness that pure...
- StomacherA stomacher is a large decorative jewelled ornament worn pinned to the front of a bodice, typically filling the triangular area...
- Strap NecklaceA strap necklace typically uses a flat or mesh chain or a ribbon of leather or fabric as its base, from which small pendants ar...
- Stud EarringsStud earrings are the most fundamental pierced earring style: a single decorative element attached directly to a metal post, wh...
- SymmetrySymmetry is one of the three components of a diamond's cut grade, alongside polish and proportions, and it describes how precis...
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- Table FacetThe table facet is the large, flat facet at the very top of a faceted gemstone, sitting at the centre of the crown.
- Tahitian PearlTahitian pearls are cultured saltwater pearls produced by the black-lipped oyster Pinctada margaritifera, farmed primarily arou...
- TanzaniteTanzanite is a blue-violet variety of the mineral zoisite, found only in a small area near Mount Kilimanjaro in northern Tanzan...
- TaperedTapered describes a piece of jewellery, or part of one, that gradually narrows from one end to the other rather than staying th...
- Tapered BaguetteA tapered baguette is a step-cut gemstone, usually a diamond, with a rectangular or trapezoid outline where one end is narrower...
- TarnishTarnish is a thin layer of corrosion that forms on the surface of metal jewellery when it reacts with sulphur compounds in the...
- TemperingTempering is a heat treatment applied to metal after it has been hardened, reheating it to a specific temperature below its har...
- Tennis BraceletA tennis bracelet is a flexible bracelet made from a continuous line of individually set diamonds or gemstones of uniform size,...
- Tension SettingA tension setting holds a gemstone between two opposing metal walls or channels that have been precisely calibrated to grip the...
- Three Stone RingA three stone ring, also called a trilogy ring, features three gemstones set in a row along the top of the ring, traditionally...
- TiaraA tiara is a jewelled ornament worn on the crown of the head, usually in a semi-circular or crescent shape that arches from one...
- Tiger's EyeTiger's eye is a variety of quartz with a distinctive optical effect called chatoyancy, which produces a silky, shifting band o...
- TinTin is a soft, malleable, silvery-white metal that has been used in decorative metalwork and jewellery for thousands of years,...
- TitaniumTitanium is a naturally occurring metallic element prized in jewellery for its exceptional strength-to-weight ratio, meaning it...
- Toggle ClaspA toggle clasp is a two-part jewellery fastening consisting of a ring at one end and a short bar at the other, where the bar is...
- Toi et MoiToi et moi is a French phrase meaning you and me, and a toi et moi ring features two gemstones set side by side on a single ban...
- TopazTopaz is a silicate mineral and a hard, brilliant gemstone rated 8 on the Mohs scale.
- TorsadeA torsade is a style of necklace made from multiple strands of pearls or beads that are twisted together along their length and...
- TortoiseshellTortoiseshell is a material derived from the shell of the hawksbill sea turtle, valued historically for its warm, mottled patte...
- TourmalineTourmaline is a complex borosilicate mineral group and one of the most colour-diverse gemstones in existence, occurring in virt...
- TranslucentTranslucent describes a material that allows light to pass through it but scatters it enough that you cannot see clearly throug...
- Trillion CutA trillion cut, also called a trilliant, is a triangular-shaped diamond or gemstone with three sides that can be either straigh...
- TrinketA trinket is a small ornament or piece of jewellery, typically a charm, pendant or simple ring, that is modest in value and int...
- TsavoriteTsavorite is a rich green variety of grossular garnet, discovered in the Tsavo region of East Africa in the late 1960s and name...
- TungstenTungsten is a grey-white, very heavy metal with an exceptionally high melting point, and in jewellery it is almost always used...
- TurquoiseTurquoise is a blue-to-green phosphate mineral found in dry, copper-rich regions, and its colour ranges from vivid sky blue thr...
- TwistedTwisted in jewellery describes any design where metal is wound, spiralled or interwoven to create a textured, rope-like appeara...
- Two-ToneTwo-tone jewellery is made by combining two different metals in a single piece, with each kept visually distinct rather than bl...
U
- Ultrasonic CleaningUltrasonic cleaning uses a machine that passes high-frequency sound waves through a liquid solution, usually water with a mild...
- Unique JewelleryUnique jewellery refers to a piece that is genuinely one of a kind or is distinctly different from mass-produced designs, eithe...
- Unisex JewelleryUnisex jewellery is designed to be worn by anyone, regardless of gender, and avoids details that are traditionally coded as mas...
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- VermeilVermeil, pronounced ver-MAY, is a specific type of gold-plated jewellery made with a sterling silver base that has been plated...
- Victorian AestheticThe Victorian Aesthetic, in a jewellery context, refers to the style associated with the Aesthetic Movement of the 1870s to 189...
- Victorian JewelleryVictorian jewellery refers to pieces made during the reign of Queen Victoria, which ran from 1837 to 1901, and it spans a remar...
- Vintage JewelleryVintage jewellery is generally understood to mean pieces that are at least 20 to 30 years old but less than 100 years old, at w...
- Vintage-InspiredVintage-inspired jewellery is new jewellery made to evoke the look and feel of an earlier era, drawing on design languages from...
W
- Wedding RingA wedding ring is a band exchanged between partners during a marriage ceremony as a symbol of commitment and enduring love.
- Wedding SetA wedding set is a pair of rings, an engagement ring and a matching wedding band, designed by the same maker to sit flush and l...
- White GoldWhite gold is gold alloyed with pale metals, typically palladium, manganese or silver, to produce a lighter colour than yellow...
- White MetalWhite metal, in a jewellery context, is a broad term for low-cost alloys made from non-precious metals such as tin, lead, antim...
- Wire WrappingWire wrapping is a jewellery-making technique in which wire is coiled, looped and wound around stones, components or other wire...
- Work HardeningWork hardening is what happens to metal when it is repeatedly bent, hammered, rolled or drawn: the internal crystal structure o...
- WristwatchA wristwatch is a small timepiece designed to be worn on the wrist, held in place by a bracelet, strap or integrated band.
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Z
Frequently asked questions
- What is the LILY DIA jewellery glossary?
- It is a plain-language reference for the words you run into when buying an engagement ring or fine jewellery, covering diamonds, gemstones, metals, settings and ring terms. Each entry answers one question and links to the terms that naturally come next.
- How is the glossary organised?
- Every term has its own page, and you can browse the full list alphabetically using the A to Z index above. Terms that mean the same thing are merged into one page, so you are never reading two slightly different versions of the same definition.
- Are the definitions written for Australian buyers?
- Yes. The definitions use Australian spelling and local context where it matters, such as the 9ct gold standard, and they are written by the Melbourne studio rather than pulled from a generic source.
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