Glossary of Jewelry Terms

  1. Alloy: A mixture of two or more metals, often used to create jewelry with improved durability and desirable properties.

  2. Asscher Cut: A square-shaped diamond or gemstone cut with cropped corners and step-cut facets.

  3. Baguette: A small rectangular or tapered diamond or gemstone cut often used as accents in jewelry.

  4. Bail: A small loop or finding on a pendant through which a chain or cord can pass, allowing the pendant to hang securely.

  5. Bezel Setting: A metal rim that surrounds and secures a gemstone by completely or partially encasing it.

  6. Birthstone: A gemstone associated with a specific month and believed to bring luck and good fortune to those born during that time.

  7. Brilliance: The brightness and sparkle exhibited by a gemstone, especially diamonds, due to the way it reflects and refracts light.

  8. Briolette: A teardrop-shaped gemstone cut with triangular or diamond-shaped facets and drilled to be hung as a bead.

  9. Cabochon: A smooth, rounded gemstone with a flat bottom, often used in vintage-style jewelry.

  10. Carat (ct): A unit of measurement for the weight of gemstones, with one carat equivalent to 200 milligrams.

  11. Charm: A small decorative piece that holds personal significance and is often attached to a bracelet or necklace.

  12. Choker: A close-fitting necklace worn snugly around the neck.

  13. Clarity: A grading term used to describe the clearness or purity of a gemstone, especially diamonds.

  14. Cocktail Ring: A large and bold ring often featuring a prominent gemstone or intricate design, typically worn for formal occasions.

  15. Cubic Zirconia (CZ): A synthetic gemstone that closely resembles a diamond. It is a popular and affordable alternative to diamonds in jewelry design.

  16. Cushion Cut: A square or rectangular diamond or gemstone cut with rounded corners and brilliant-cut facets.

  17. Diamond Cut: The manner in which a diamond is shaped and faceted to enhance its brilliance and sparkle.

  18. Drop Earrings: Earrings that hang below the earlobe, often featuring gemstones or decorative elements.

  19. Enamel: A decorative glass or ceramic coating fused to metal jewelry, adding vibrant colors and intricate designs.

  20. Engagement Ring: A ring given as a symbol of a commitment to marry, often featuring a prominent gemstone, typically a diamond.

  21. Eternity Band: A ring with gemstones or diamonds set continuously around the entire band, symbolizing everlasting love.

  22. Filigree: Delicate and intricate metalwork, often in lacy patterns, used to decorate jewelry.

  23. Gold Vermeil: Sterling silver coated with a layer of gold, creating an affordable gold-plated jewelry option.

  24. Halo Setting: A design feature where smaller gemstones or diamonds surround a larger center stone, creating a dazzling frame effect.

  25. Hallmark: A stamped mark on jewelry indicating the metal's purity and the maker's identity. It provides authentication and information about the piece's origin and quality.

  26. Heart Cut: A diamond or gemstone cut in the shape of a heart, often used in romantic-themed jewelry.

  27. Hoop Earrings: Circular earrings that form a continuous loop, available in various sizes and designs.

  28. Iolite: A violet-blue gemstone known for its pleochroism, displaying different colors from different angles.

  29. Karats (K): A unit of measurement for the purity of gold, with 24 karats representing pure gold and lower karatages indicating gold mixed with other metals.

  30. Lariat Necklace: A long necklace that does not have a clasp and is worn by draping it around the neck.

  31. Lobster Clasp: A type of jewelry clasp that features a spring-loaded lever, allowing for easy and secure fastening.

  32. Marquise Cut: A diamond or gemstone cut in an elongated shape with pointed ends, resembling a boat.

  33. Metal Stamping: A technique of impressing letters, numbers, or designs onto metal to create personalized jewelry pieces.

  34. Milgrain: A decorative edge or border created by tiny bead-like metalwork, often seen on vintage-inspired jewelry designs.

  35. Morganite: A pink to peach-colored gemstone, known for its romantic and feminine appearance.

  36. Necklace Extender: An additional length of chain or clasp that allows a necklace to be adjusted to different lengths.

  37. Opal: A gemstone known for its iridescent play-of-color, displaying a wide range of hues.

  38. Pave Setting: A setting that features small gemstones set closely together, covering the metal surface with a continuous sparkle.

  39. Pearl: A lustrous and organic gemstone produced inside the shell of certain mollusks.

  40. Princess Cut: A square or rectangular diamond or gemstone cut with pointed corners and brilliant-cut facets.

  41. Prong Setting: A setting in which metal claws or prongs hold a gemstone in place, allowing maximum light exposure to enhance brilliance.

  42. Rolo Chain: A type of chain with symmetrical round or oval links.

  43. Rose Gold: A gold alloy with a warm pinkish hue, achieved by blending gold with copper.

  44. Ruby: A red gemstone, one of the most valuable and precious gemstones.

  45. Sapphire: A blue gemstone, one of the most popular and valuable gemstones.

  46. Semi-Precious Gemstone: Gemstones that are not as rare or valuable as precious gemstones but are still prized for their beauty.

  47. Solitaire: A single gemstone, usually a diamond, set as the centerpiece of a ring or pendant.

  48. Split Shank: A ring band that divides into two or more strands before reaching the center setting.

  49. Tennis Bracelet: A bracelet consisting of a line of individually set gemstones, usually diamonds, linked together.

  50. Toggle Clasp: A two-piece clasp that consists of a bar and a ring, with the bar fitting through the ring to secure the jewelry.

  51. Topaz: A gemstone available in various colors, known for its brilliance and fire.

  52. Tourmaline: A gemstone available in a wide range of colors, prized for its versatility.

  53. Vermeil: A process of coating sterling silver with a layer of gold, usually 14K or 18K, resulting in a more affordable gold-plated jewelry option.

  54. Vintage Jewelry: Jewelry items that are at least 20 to 30 years old and reflect the style and design of a particular era.

  55. White Gold: A gold alloy with a silvery-white appearance, achieved by blending gold with white metals, such as palladium or nickel.

  56. Yellow Gold: The natural color of gold, achieved by using the pure metal without any additional alloys.

  57. Zircon: A gemstone available in various colors, known for its brilliance and fire.

  58. Art Deco: An influential design style that emerged in the 1920s, characterized by geometric shapes, bold colors, and intricate patterns, often seen in vintage jewelry.

  59. Art Nouveau: An artistic movement in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, known for its flowing and organic designs, often seen in vintage jewelry.

  60. Briolette: A teardrop-shaped gemstone cut with triangular or diamond-shaped facets and drilled to be hung as a bead.

  61. Cocktail Ring: A large and bold ring often featuring a prominent gemstone or intricate design, typically worn for formal occasions.

  62. Cushion Cut: A square or rectangular diamond or gemstone cut with rounded corners and brilliant-cut facets.

  63. Diamond Cut: The manner in which a diamond is shaped and faceted to enhance its brilliance and sparkle.

  64. Filigree: Delicate and intricate metalwork, often in lacy patterns, used to decorate jewelry.

  65. Heart Cut: A diamond or gemstone cut in the shape of a heart, often used in romantic-themed jewelry.

  66. Iolite: A violet-blue gemstone known for its pleochroism, displaying different colors from different angles.

  67. Marquise Cut: A diamond or gemstone cut in an elongated shape with pointed ends, resembling a boat.

  68. Pave Setting: A setting that features small gemstones set closely together, covering the metal surface with a continuous sparkle.

  69. Princess Cut: A square or rectangular diamond or gemstone cut with pointed corners and brilliant-cut facets.

  70. Rolo Chain: A type of chain with symmetrical round or oval links.

  71. Ruby: A red gemstone, one of the most valuable and precious gemstones.

  72. Sapphire: A blue gemstone, one of the most popular and valuable gemstones.

  73. Topaz: A gemstone available in various colors, known for its brilliance and fire.

  74. Vintage Jewelry: Jewelry items that are at least 20 to 30 years old and reflect the style and design of a particular era.

  75. Zircon: A gemstone available in various colors, known for its brilliance and fire.

As you explore the exquisite jewelry offerings at JewelsObsession.com, this comprehensive glossary will serve as a valuable resource, providing a better understanding of the terminology associated with various pieces and styles.