Jewelry Glossary: Key Technical Terms Simply Explained

Anyone buying, reading about, or researching jewelry will quickly encounter technical terms that can be confusing: What's the difference between carating and fineness? What does pavé mean? What is a cabochon? This comprehensive jewelry glossary explains all important technical terms clearly, understandably, and with practical examples – the most important reference work for all jewelry enthusiasts.

Metals and Alloys

Fineness: The proportion of pure precious metal in an alloy, stated in parts per thousand. 585 = 58.5% gold; 925 = 92.5% silver. Legal standard stamped on jewelry in Germany.

Carat (for gold): Unit of measurement for gold content. 24 carat = pure gold (100%); 14 carat = 585 (58.5%); 18 carat = 750 (75%). Not to be confused with carat as a unit of weight for gemstones.

Carat (for gemstones): Unit of weight for gemstones. 1 carat = 0.2 grams. A 1-carat diamond weighs 0.2 g. Carat alone does not determine value – a 1-carat diamond of good quality is more valuable than a 2-carat diamond of poor quality.

Alloy: A mixture of two or more metals. Pure gold (24K) is too soft for jewelry; gold alloys (585, 750) add copper, silver, palladium for strength.

Rhodium / Rhodium Plating: Rhodium is a platinum-like, hard, white metal. Rhodium plating means electrochemically applying a thin layer of rhodium to silver or white gold – for a whiter luster and protection against tarnishing.

Sterling Silver: Silver alloy with 92.5% silver and 7.5% copper. Standard for silver jewelry, stamped "925".

Gold Plated: A thin layer of gold (typically 0.5–2 micrometers) electroplated onto a base metal. Cheaper than real gold, wears off.

PVD (Physical Vapor Deposition): Physical vapor deposition of a metal layer (mostly gold, black, or silver) on stainless steel. More durable than electroplated gold; very common in high-quality fashion jewelry.

Platinum: Rare, naturally white precious metal. Denser and heavier than gold. No rhodium plating needed. Hypoallergenic. Most expensive standard jewelry option.

Vermeil (pronounced: "ver-may"): Gold-plated sterling silver with a minimum gold layer thickness of 2.5 micrometers. Higher quality than standard gold plating.

Gemstone Terms

Cabochon: A cut for gemstones – smoothly polished, domed, without facets. Typical for opaque stones (turquoise, moonstone, malachite) or stones with special light effects (moonstone, tiger's eye).

Faceted Cut: A gemstone cut with flat, polished surfaces (facets) that refract light and create brilliance. Typical for transparent stones like diamond, sapphire, ruby.

Brilliant / Round Brilliant: The most famous diamond cut – round with 57 or 58 facets. Maximum brilliance and "fire."

Adularescence: The characteristic milky-blue glow of moonstone that appears to move across the stone when it is moved. Created by light interference in the mineral layers.

Chatoyancy (Cat's Eye Effect): A movable band of light that appears perpendicular to the fibrous direction of a stone when cut as a cabochon. Typical for tiger's eye, chrysoberyl cat's eye.

Asterism (Star Effect): A star-shaped light reflection in stones with parallel inclusions. Known as "star sapphire" or "star ruby."

Luster: The way and intensity with which a stone or pearl reflects light. High luster = reflective, deep sheen. Most important quality characteristic for pearls.

Trichroism / Pleochroism: The property of some gemstones to show different colors from different angles. Known in tanzanite (blue, violet, reddish) and iolite.

Eye-Clean: A gemstone with no visible inclusions to the naked eye. Not a loupe standard, but practically important for jewelry.

Jewelry Setting Terms

Prong Setting: Metal prongs hold the stone – maximum visibility of the stone, optimal light entry. Standard for solitaire rings.

Bezel Setting: Metal rim completely surrounds the stone – secure hold, modern look, less sparkle.

Pavé Setting: Many small stones set close together, with only minimal metal visible between them. Creates a "paved" effect full of sparkle.

Channel Setting: Stones set in a metal channel without visible prongs. Common in wedding rings and eternity rings.

Invisible Setting: Stones set so that no metal setting is visible – stones appear to "float." Complex technique, expensive.

Other Important Terms

Layering: Wearing multiple pieces of jewelry simultaneously in a thoughtful composition, e.g., several necklaces of different lengths stacked.

Stacking: Wearing multiple rings on one or more fingers; also used for bracelets.

Hallmark / Stamp: Official quality control stamps on jewelry – document precious metal content, assay office, and (in some countries) year of manufacture.

Inclusion: Inclusions in a gemstone – natural features (crystals, liquids, gas bubbles) within the stone. Considered a flaw in diamonds, but accepted in some stones (emerald).

Patina: Natural surface change due to age and use. With platinum and silver, sometimes desired as a sign of authenticity and age.

GIA / IGI / HRD: Independent gemstone certification laboratories. GIA (Gemological Institute of America) is considered the most widely recognized certification for diamonds worldwide.

TCW (Total Carat Weight): The total weight of all stones in a piece of jewelry. Relevant for earrings (both stones combined), tennis bracelets, etc.

Jewelry with Substance at Corelune Jewellery

With the right vocabulary, you'll shop more informed and better. At Corelune Jewellery, we communicate all materials transparently and clearly.

👉 Discover jewelry with substance now – well-informed, well-chosen!