A:
4Cs: The 4 Cs are the globally accepted standard for describing the quality of a diamond.
The 4 Cs are Carat, Color, Clarity and Cut.
Accent Gemstones: Describes the complimenting or supporting stones – not the main gemstone but the side gemstones. Accent gemstones add a touch of elegance or glamour to a ring design.
Alloy: A metal made by combining two or more metallic elements, especially to give greater strength or characteristics.
Anniversary Band: Typically set with Diamonds partially or fully encircling a band. The band signifies romance or celebrates a personal milestone.
B:
Bale or Bail: A teardrop shaped metal component used to attach a pendant or charm. The bail is normally placed in the center of the necklace where the pendant hangs.
Band: Typically designed to be the same width all the way around. They can be worn alone or as a set with an engagement ring.
Bangle Bracelet: A rigid, closed bracelet usually made without a clasp that can slip over the hand, they sometimes have a hinged opening or a clasp.
Baroque: Baroque pearls are pearls with an irregular non-spherical shape. Shapes can range from minor aberrations to distinctly ovoid, curved, pinch, or lumpy shapes.
Bar Set: Describes a gemstone setting between two parallel metal bars where the sides of the gems are left open – allowing the maximum amount of light to enter the gemstones, creating extraordinary brilliance and sparkle.
Basket Setting: Refers to a setting where the prongs support the main gemstone in a shape similar to a basket – allowing light into the gemstone to optimize it’s brilliance and allowing the gemstone to be set ‘low’.
Bead Setting: Bead setting is a generic term for setting a stone directly into metal using gravers, also called burins, which are essentially tiny chisels.
Bezel-Set: Bezel settings use a type of elevated collar which wraps the rim of the gemstone in a complete metal edging. This type of diamond rings setting is the most secure fastener for the stones.
Birthstone: A gemstone associated with the month of your birth.
January – Garnet
February – Amethyst
March – Aquamarine
April – Diamond
May – Emerald
June – Pearl
July – Ruby
August – Peridot/Praseolite
September – Sapphire
October – Opal/Tourmaline
November – Citrine
December – Blue Topaz
Bracelet: An ornamental band for the wrist or arm. Derived from the French word ‘bracel’.
Bridal Set: A set of two rings that fit together an engagement ring and a wedding band.
Brilliance: Used to describe gemstones ‘brightness’ or luster.
Brooch: An ornamental piece of jewelry that can be fastened to clothing with a hinged pin and catch.
Bypass Design: A design where the two sides of the band do not meet in a straight line, but overlap or criss-cross each other.
C:
Cabochon: A cabochon, from the Middle French word caboche (meaning "head"), is a gemstone which has been shaped and polished as opposed to faceted. The resulting form is usually rounded with a flat reverse.
Carat: A unit of weight for precious and semi-precious gemstones.
Center Gemstone: The focal or main gemstone in a piece of jewelry.
Chain: a piece of jewelry consisting of a string of gemstones or beads or a chain of gold, silver, or other metal.
Chandelier Earring: A pair of earrings that are ‘dangle’ in design and can drop more than one level.
Channel Setting: A setting where the gemstones are set close together into the grooves of the channel/two parallel walls of the band.
Charm: Charms are minatures that can be an object, numbers or letters and can either be described as a bead (bracelet threads through center of charm) or clip-on where a spring clasp is used to attach to a chain bracelet.
Charm Bracelet: Either a link bracelet (for clip-on charms) or cord like (for bead charms).
Choker: A necklace that fits close to the neck.
Clarity: The term used to describe the presence of internal or external flaws in a gemstone.
Classic Diamond: Near colorless diamond with good cut and clarity.
Clasp: A clasp is used to join two ends of chains, bracelets, and necklaces. The clasp is held closed by a spring located inside the clasp.
Cluster: Used to describe a setting where a group of gemstones are clustered but not overlapping each other in a setting.
Color: Used in the 4s of Diamonds – Color is defined by the GIA to be on the scale between D to Z, with D being considered colorless and higher in vale.
Comfort Fit: Rounded edges of a ring designed to be more comfortable.
Contemporary: More modern than traditional designs.
Cord: A flexible strand used for bracelets and necklaces. Cord can be made from leather, cotton, or stainless steel.
Crown: Refers to the faceted area of a gemstone located above the girdle but below the table.
Cufflinks: A way of fastening together the sides of a shirt cuff, typically a pair of linked studs or a single plate connected to a short swiveling rod, passed through a hole in each side of the cuff.
Culet: Refers to the base point of a Diamond.
Cut: A diamond cut is a style or design guide used when shaping a diamond for polishing such as the brilliant cut. Cut does not refer to shape (pear, oval), but the symmetry, proportioning and polish of a diamond.
CZ: Short for Cubic zirconia is similar to a diamond with its brilliance and crystal clarity, but it is a man-made material that is colorless, hard, and flawless. It is an affordable alternative to diamonds.
D:
Dangle Earring: Earrings that hang below the earlobe and swing loosely.
Decorative Wedding Band: A stylized wedding band.
Depth: When referring to a gemstone it’s the length from table to culet.
Design Element: Describes a singular design feature.
Diameter: When referring to a gemstone, it is the overall width.
Drop Earring: Earrings that hang below the earlobe and are stationary rather than swing loosely.
E:
Earring: A piece of jewelry worn on the lobe or edge of the ear.
Earring Post: A post is attached to the back of an earring that goes through the earlobe.
Earring Back: A disc which can either be screw back or a ‘push back’ that is threaded onto the earring post to secure the earring to the earlobe.
Emerald Cut: A cut used widely on emeralds and diamonds, in which the girdle has the form of a square/rectangle with truncated corners. This cut in a ring gives the illusion of longer more slender hands.
Enamel: An opaque substance applied to a metal service.
Engagement Ring: A ring given to a person when they agree to marry.
Enhancer: A piece that can be attached to a piece of jewelry to give the item a new look.
Engraving: The ability to carve or enhance a piece of jewelry.
Eternity Band: A band set with continuous row or rows of gemstones that usually encircle the whole band.
Eternitymark Diamond: Exclusive to Amoro the Eternitymark Diamond is an Ideal Cut with perfectly aligned facets that maximize reflected light. Amoro believes that an Ideal Cut Diamond, close to colorless and with inclusions that are virtually unnoticeable to the eye gives the most beauty for money.
F:
Facet: One side of a multi-surface gemstone.
Fashion Ring: A ring that has a more modern design.
Filigree: Describes ornamental work of fine (typically gold or silver) wire formed into delicate tracery.
Finish: A term used to describe the ‘finish work’ e.g. a buff finish.
Fire: When used in reference to diamonds it means the refraction of light that occurs through a diamond.
Flush-Set: Refers to a setting where the gemstone is embedded into the metal leaving only the top of the gemstone visible.
G:
Gemstone: A precious gemstone, cut, polished, and ready to be used in a piece of jewelry.
Gemstone Shape: Refers to the face-up outline form of a gemstone. Shapes can be round, oval, square, marquise, baguette, cushion and so on.
Genuine Gemstone: A genuine gemstone is a piece of mineral crystal which is cut and polished and set in jewelry in comparison to an imitation gemstone that copies the look and color of the real stone but possess neither their chemical nor physical characteristics.
Girdle: The girdle is the thin perimeter of a diamond, dividing the crown above from the pavilion below. When viewing a diamond in its setting or from a profile view, the girdle is the widest part (or the circumference) of the polished diamond - the portion of the stone that makes contact with the setting itself.
Gold: Gold is a relatively soft, shiny precious metal. Many kinds of jewelry, including necklaces, bangles, and wedding rings are traditionally made of gold.
Gram: The weight of gold is measured in troy ounces (1 troy ounce = 31.1034768 grams), but its purity, or "fineness" has been measured in a few different ways: "parts fine," "% gold", and karats.
H:
Half Eternity Ring: A band set with continuous row or rows of gemstones that encircle only half of the band.
Half Bezel-Set: Full bezel settings cover the gemstone from all sides, whereas a half- bezel setting surround only half of it.
Hallmark: A mark stamped on articles of gold, silver, or platinum certifying their standard of purity.
Halo: A style of jewelry which has a central gemstone that is surrounded by supporting gemstones – giving a ‘halo’ effect’.
Head: Part of a jewelry setting that secures the gemstone.
Heirloom Jewelry: Jewelry that is timeless and that is passed from generation to generation.
Hidden Bail: A bail that is located on the reverse side of a pendant – so that the pendant appears to float on the necklace rather than see the bail.
Hoop Earring: A circular earring.
Huggie Earring: An earring that fits closely to the earlobe – effectively ‘hugging’ the earlobe.
I:
Invisible-Set: An invisible setting is a mounting that holds the stones in a ring so that the setting itself is not prominent.
Ideal Cut Diamond: Perfectly cut diamond with optimum brilliance.
K:
Karat: (A major point of confusion is between "carat," which is a measure of weight for precious stones, and "karat", which is a purity measure for gold.
Key Ring: A device to hold keys together.
L:
Lariat Necklace: A long necklace usually without a clasp that can be looped into a knot.
Lever Back: Earrings with a spring closure at the back that secures the earring against the ear.
Line Bracelet: A bracelet that can lie flat when unclasped. A classic line bracelet is a tennis bracelet.
Link Bracelet: A bracelet that has interlocking links.
M:
Micro-pave: Used for small gemstones, it is used to create a glittering effect.
Milgrain: Fine beading on the edges (usually on rings).
Money Clip: A metal clip used instead of a wallet that holds folded cash or credit cards.
Mounting: Refers to an un-set ring setting.
O:
Omega Clip: Earrings with a spring closure at the back that secures the earring against the ear.
Omega Necklace: A flexible necklace made up of small, smooth, curved, metal plates linked together ranging in width from 2mm-6mm.
P:
Palladium: A rare silvery-white metal resembling platinum.
Pave: Bead set gemstones set in rows with precision.
Pearl Enhancer: A pendant that has a hinged back which allows it to be clipped on a strand of pearls.
Pendant: A charm designed to adorn a necklace.
Platinum: A malleable silvery-white metallic element, very resistant to heat and chemicals. It dulls with wear.
Precious Metals: Can be gold, silver or platinum and palladium.
Precious Gemstone: Precious stones are defined as visually appealing gemstones created from rocks or minerals. Specific stones considered to be gemstones are diamonds, rubies, emeralds, sapphires and pearls.
Prong: Metal tines (prongs) used to hold gemstones in place.
Princess Cut: The princess cut is a very popular shape for diamonds. The face-up shape of the princess cut is square or rectangular and the profile or side-on shape is similar to that of an inverted pyramid with four beveled sides.
Pristine Hearts: The world’s only Diamond with a heart inside. There is no other diamond like a Pristine Hearts Diamond in the entire world.
Q:
Quarter Eternity Ring: A band set with continuous row or rows of gemstones that encircle only a quarter of the band.
R:
Ring: Jewelry worn on a finger.
Rolling Ring: A ring that is made up of two or more bands – as the ring slides onto the finger the bands roll over each other.
S:
Safety Clasp: An additional clasp used to secure bracelets/necklaces of high value.
Semi-Precious Gemstone: Stones which are not precious examples are amethyst, peridot etc.
Semi-Mount Ring: A ring setting sold with supporting stones but not the center stone.
Setting: The art of placing stones within a setting.
Side Stones: Stones which flank a center stone.
Silver/ Sterling Silver: A precious metal used extensively in jewelry.
Slide Pendant: A pendant that does not have a bail.
Solitaire: Usually refers to a single diamond.
Stainless Steel: A modern metal that is resistant to tarnishing.
T:
Table: Refers to the top flat part of a gemstone.
Tennis Bracelet: A bracelet that can lie flat when unclasped. A classic line bracelet is a tennis bracelet.
Tension-Set: A setting that holds gemstones in place with compression rather than prongs.
Three-Stone Ring: A modern classic – a ring with three primary gemstones.
Tie Tack/Tie Clip: Used to hold a tie in place.
Troy Ounce: Used for weighing precious metals. One troy ounce is equivalent to 31.10 grams.
Tungsten: A modern metal containing equal parts of tungsten and carbon atoms.
Two-Tone: A jewelry piece that has more than one color of gold – e.g. 18Kt Yellow and White Gold
W:
Wedding Band: Typically designed to be the same width all the way around. They can be worn alone or as a set with an engagement ring.
Wedding Ring: Typically a precious metal ring set with gemstones.