Your comprehensive, interactive guide to jewelry terminology with pronunciations, etymology, and expert insights
A metal made by combining two or more metallic elements. This is done to give greater strength or resistance to corrosion.
A step or trap cut with rectangular facets that emphasize depth and draw the eye into the stone
Small, usually rectangular, step-cut diamonds or gemstones with straight or tapered edges.
A rigid bracelet or anklet typically without a clasp
A diamond or gemstone is wrapped with the metal, where only the crown and table can be seen.
An imperfection on the surface of a diamond.
The amount of sparkle or shine which is reflected from the diamond.
A circular cut for diamonds and other gemstones in the form of many-faceted pyramids joined at their bases, the upper one truncated near its apex.
A jewelry setting designed to mimic cathedrals, using arches to frame the gem as the focal point of the jewelry.
A type of ring setting where stones on the shank of the ring are set along a track between two walls of metal.
A mechanism that allows a necklace or bracelet or any piece of jewelry requiring to be wrapped around to easily be put on and taken off without causing any damage.
The ability of certain gemstones to split naturally along certain planes based on its internal crystalline structure.
A smaller diamonds are set closely together to resemble a larger diamond
The facets or portions of a gemstone, located above the girdle
A flat face on the bottom of a gemstone.
A flat, polished surface on a cut gemstone typically with three or four sides.
A term used to describe a gemstone that does not have any discernible flaws.
A setting style where the diamond or gemstone is set into a drilled hole in the band, so the stone sits within the band of the ring and does not significantly stick out.
Four characteristics of a diamond used to establish the quality of a diamond. The C’s stand for color, clarity, cut and carat weight.
The outer edge or band of a faceted stone and is the largest diameter of the stone.
GIA certified diamonds or gemstones undergo GIA’s rigorous grading process and reports
A ring of small accent stones, typically pavé diamonds, that encircle a larger center stone.
How well a diamond or gemstone resists scratches. Hardness is measured by Moh’s scale from 1-10. 10 is the hardest and 1 is the softest.
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.
A setting designed to make it appear as though there is no setting behind the stone. This is achieved by setting a diamond or gemstone is set in an arrangement where the metal cannot be seen.
An infinity setting features a unique, beautiful design with an “8”-shaped pattern made up of two interlinking bands.
The standard measurement for gold, where 24 karats is pure gold. 14-karat or 18-karat gold is mixed with other metal alloys.
The universal scale used to measure the hardness of a diamond or gemstone. The scale ranges from 1-10, with 10 being the hardest.
An indicator of the ring’s setting, typically referring to how the diamonds are set
The bottom portion of a diamond.
A metal that’s almost entirely pure. Typically used in the finest jewelry at a ratio of 950 parts per thousand—making platinum the finest metal available.
Pink gold or rose gold is made up of pure gold is combined with more copper than other alloys.
The amount of smoothness, or shininess on a metal’s surface.
A ring setting which utilizes four or six metal prongs. The stone is mounted to the prongs and is wrapped around the girdle to secure the stone.
The lower portion of the ring. The shank is a prong with a little metal claw that holds the diamond in place. Prongs can be rounded, pointed, flat, or V-shaped.
An engagement ring has two thin shanks on either side of the center stone, which come together towards the bottom.
A square or rectangular shape with facets arranged as parallel lines to one another on all four sides.
Flashes or sparkles of light seen within a diamond. It is caused when the stone is rotated under a light source.
All jewelry such as rings, pendants, earrings, bracelets, or necklaces that have one diamond in its setting.
A diamond or gemstone is suspended inside the metal setting, where most of the diamond is exposed.
The ability for a diamond or gemstone to resist fracturing or breakage if impacted
A type of corrosion on metals. Tarnish is a thin layer that is a result of moisture, chemical or air exposure. It tends to appear as a dark surface of discoloration on your jewelry. Typically, around the areas the jewelry meets your skin.
The result of combining different colored materials in the same jewelry piece.
Made by combining pure gold with copper, zinc, and nickel alloy.
Gold that retains its natural yellow color.
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