Jewellery Glossary

Jewellery Glossary

Discover a helpful guide to commonly used jewellery terms, covering natural gemstones, precious metals, jewellery settings, manufacturing techniques and styles. This glossary is designed to make understanding fine jewellery clearer and more enjoyable.

Alloy
A mixture of two or more metals combined to improve strength, colour or durability. For example, rose gold is created by alloying pure gold with copper.

Baguette Cut
A gemstone cut into a long, narrow rectangular shape with straight edges and step-cut facets, often used as accent stones.

Bar Brooch
A brooch designed in a horizontal bar shape, typically decorated along its length or set with gemstones at the centre.

Bezel Setting
A secure setting where a rim of metal fully surrounds the edge of a gemstone, offering excellent protection and a clean, modern look.

Bolt Ring
A circular clasp with a spring-loaded mechanism, commonly used on necklaces and bracelets. It opens via a small lever and closes automatically when released.

Brilliant Cut
A cutting style, most commonly used for diamonds, featuring numerous facets to maximise sparkle and light reflection. A standard brilliant cut diamond has 58 facets.

Cabochon
A smooth, rounded gemstone cut with no facets and a domed surface, typically highly polished.

Carat
The unit of weight used to measure diamonds and gemstones. One carat is equal to 100 points.

Channel Setting
A setting style where stones of uniform size are set between two parallel metal walls, creating a smooth, continuous row.

Claw Setting
A setting that uses metal prongs (claws) to hold a gemstone securely in place while allowing maximum light exposure.

Crown
The upper portion of a gemstone, located above the girdle and below the table.

Curb Chain
A chain made from interlocking links that lie flat when worn, offering strength and flexibility.

Cushion Cut
A square or rectangular gemstone cut with softly rounded corners, resembling a pillow shape. Known for excellent fire and a vintage-inspired look.

Culet
The small facet or point at the base of a gemstone, particularly visible in older diamond cuts.

Cut
The shape and faceting style given to a gemstone from its original rough form.

Emerald Cut
A rectangular or square cut with step-cut facets and chamfered corners, designed to highlight clarity rather than sparkle.

Facets
Flat, polished surfaces on a gemstone that reflect and refract light. The number and arrangement of facets affect brilliance and fire.

Fire
The colourful flashes of light seen within a diamond as it disperses light into spectral colours.

Gold
A highly malleable precious metal that does not tarnish. Pure gold is alloyed for jewellery use and measured in carats:

• 9ct: 37.5% pure gold

• 18ct: 75% pure gold

Girdle
The widest part of a gemstone, separating the crown from the pavilion.

Hallmark
An official stamp confirming the purity of precious metals such as gold, silver, platinum or palladium, applied by an authorised assay office in accordance with UK law.

Lap Setting
A setting where the gemstone is sunk into the metal with a domed surface that sits flush with the bezel.

Lobster Clasp
A secure clasp shaped like a lobster claw, commonly used on bracelets and necklaces, operated by a spring-loaded lever.

Marcasite
Small faceted stones made from iron ore, typically dark grey with a metallic sparkle, often set in clusters.

Marquise Cut
A gemstone cut into an elongated oval shape with pointed ends, designed to maximise perceived size.

Mohs Scale
A scale measuring the hardness of minerals from 1 (softest) to 10 (hardest). Diamond ranks at 10, making it the hardest known natural material.

Mother of Pearl
An iridescent material found inside shells, available in white, grey, pink and black, prized for its luminous surface.

Pavé Setting
A setting style where many small gemstones are set closely together, creating a surface that appears paved with stones.

Pavilion
The lower portion of a gemstone below the girdle, responsible for reflecting light back through the crown.

Pear (Teardrop) Cut
A gemstone cut combining a rounded end with a pointed tip, creating a graceful teardrop shape.

Plating
A process where a thin layer of precious metal is applied over another metal for appearance or protection.

Platinum
A rare, dense and naturally white precious metal that does not tarnish and is highly durable.

Point
A gemstone weight measurement. One carat equals 100 points.

Post and Butterfly Fastening
A common earring fastening consisting of a straight post secured with a butterfly-shaped backing.

Princess Cut
A square or rectangular diamond cut with sharp corners and brilliant-style faceting for high sparkle.

Rose Gold
An alloy of gold and copper that produces a warm pink hue. Pure rose gold does not exist.

Rub-Over Setting
A setting where metal is pressed over the edge of the gemstone to secure it, similar to a bezel but often finer.

Seed Pearl
Very small pearls, usually under 2mm in diameter, found naturally or cultured.

Setting
The method used to secure gemstones into jewellery.

Step Cut
A gemstone cut featuring long, parallel facets that resemble steps, commonly used in emerald and baguette cuts.

Sterling Silver
A silver alloy containing 92.5% pure silver and 7.5% copper, used for strength and durability.

Vermeil
A technique where a thick layer of gold is applied over sterling silver.

White Gold
An alloy of gold mixed with white metals, usually finished with a rhodium plating for a bright white appearance.

This glossary is designed to help you better understand jewellery terminology, empowering you to make confident and informed choices when selecting fine jewellery and watches.