Agate - a type of quartz found in a variety of colors and patterns. A child ’s marble. Agate was a highly valued in ancient times as it was said to quench thirst and protect from fevers.

Alexandrite - a stone that changes color as the source of light changes, green in the daylight to red incandescent light.

Alloy - combination of two or more metals. Combining metals is necessary to make metal more durable, malleable and affordable. For example, pure gold, known as 24 karat gold, is too soft to be used as a jewelry material. Alloying gold with silver, copper, zinc or other metals strengthens the metal and can cause it to appear white, yellow or rose color.

Amber - translucent fossilized tree resin (sap). Ranging in color from golden yellow to reddish brown and occasionally includes trapped insects or leaves.

Amethyst - the birthstone for February - a transparent purple quartz. Leonardo Da Vinci wrote that amethyst was able to dissipate evil thoughts and quicken the intelligence.

Anniversary Band - a ring with a continuous row of stones set shoulder to shoulder. The diamonds may go half-way, three-quarters or completely around the finger.

Applique - an ornamental piece, created separately, then applied to a piece of jewelry.

Aquamarine - the birthstone for March, a blue or greenish-blue gemstone belonging to the beryl family(which also includes emerald).

Asscher Cut - a squarish step-cut with cropped corners displaying an octagonal outline. Joseph Asscher, an eminent diamond cutter from Amsterdam developed and patented the cut in the early twentieth century.

Baguette cut - a narrow rectangular cut used for smaller, accent stones. Tapered baguettes have uneven short sides which make them ideal for curved designs such as in many cocktail rings.

Bail - a (folded closed) metal finding which allows a pendant or stone to be hung from a chain.

Band - a ring which is the same width all around.

Bangle - a bracelet that slips over the hand.

Bar closure - a straight, hinged bar which fits into a catch in order to secure a pin.

Basket - a setting with numerous side piercings providing a “basket-looking” appearance. These settings are often used to house the stones of solitaire earrings.

Beryl - a durable mineral of various colors. Varieties include emerald, aquamarine and pink morganite.

Bezel - a setting that uses a rim to hold a stone. The metal at the top of the groove is then burnished over the edge of the mounted item, holding it in place.

Blemish - a flaw on the surface of the diamond.

Box chain - a type of chain containing square links creating a “box-like” appearance.

Brilliant cut - a round cut of 58 facets, mathematically devised to produce the greatest brilliance.

Broach -- an ornamental piece of jewelry, pin or clasp to be attached to clothing.

Brushed-satin finish - a matte surface produced by finishing with a fine wire brush. Popular in men’s jewelry, as it is less flashy and less prone to signs of wear.

Buttercup setting - a six prong setting that resembles a buttercup flower.

Butterfly clutch - an earring back which slides onto and secures post back earrings.

Cable chain - consists of links that are round and uniform is size.

Cabochon - a gem cut in sphere like form. A polished gemstone with a dome shaped top and flat bottom. Commonly used for opaque stones such as onyx or turquoise, or for phenomenal stones such as opal, star sapphire or tiger eye.

Cameo - a carving where the outer layers are cut away so the design stands our against a background of a different color.

Carat - unit of weight for gemstones with 100 points to a carat, one carat equaling 1/5 of a gram.

Channel setting - grooved metal (channel) built into a jewelry setting for holding stones. This term also describes a number of small stones the same size, set in a row.

Citrine - the birthstone for November. Named from the French for lemon. Colors range from yellow to gold to orange to brown.

Clarity - refers to the affect inclusions (small foreign particles or structural inconsistencies) have on the appearance of a diamond. Please refer tothe "Diamond-4 C's"article located in our“Jewelry 101” section for further information.

Clasp - an attachment that connects the ends of a piece of jewelry.

Clip-back earrings - designed for non-pierced ears. A hinged "clip" secures the earring to the earlobe.

Cluster - a setting in which stones are grouped together.

Cluster ring - a ring with a setting in which stones are grouped together.

Clutch - an earring back, which slides onto and secures post-back earrings.

Cocktail ring - an elaborate multi-stone ring with an eye-catching, glamorous flair.

Color - a grading scale is used to describe the color of a diamond which ranges from totally colorless to yellow-brown.

Comfort Fit - a ring that is contoured or curved on the inside of the shank ensuring comfort to the wearer.

Corundum - a gem species second only to diamond in hardness that is found in many colors. Red corundum is called ruby (July’s birthstone) and all other varieties are called sapphire. Blue sapphire (September’s birthstone) is the most familiar; however pink sapphire and yellow sapphire are also relatively popular.

Crown - the upper part of a gem.

Created stones - created gemstones (such as pink or star sapphires) are laboratory manufactured gemstones that very closely mimic the composition and structure of their natural counterparts and share virtually all of their properties. They have excellent quality and are less costly than natural gemstones.

CT, Ct, or ct - abbreviation for carat. For more information click here.

CTW, Ctw or ctw - abbreviation for carat total weight. The sum of weight for all the diamonds in a single piece of jewelry, or in a pair of earrings or a set of rings.

Cuff link - a decorative fastener used to close the cuffs (without buttons) of a shirt.

Culet - the base facet located at the bottom of a diamond.

Cultured pearl - a genuine pearl formed within a mollusk such as an oyster, by human intervention. In a cultured pearl, a bead known as a nucleus is inserted into a mollusk to start the process that creates a pearl. Layers of "nacre" (a lustrous coating) are secreted by the mollusk as a natural reaction to a foreign body and are built up layer after layer. The length of time a pearl is allowed to grow and/or the size of the nucleus will determine the size of the pearl that will be harvested. Cultured pearls are cultivated on farms in fresh water or saltwater.

Cushion cut - a square-cut gemstone with step facets and rounded edges. Cushion-cut stones are found in many vintage-style pieces of jewelry.

Cut - describes the shape and proportions of a diamond.

Cubic Zirconium(CZ) - an inexpensive man-made material, created in 1977. It is similar in appearance to a diamond.

Dangle Earrings - any earrings that hang below the earlobe. Also called a drop earring.

Depth - the height of a diamond measured from the culet to the table.

Diamond - the hardest natural substance found on earth. A precious gemstone composed of crystals of pure carbon that have been subjected to tremendous pressure and heat.

Dispersion - the splitting of white light into the colors of the rainbow. Diamond faceting is calculated to maximize this prismatic affect.

Drop earrings - any earring that hangs below the earlobe. Also called a dangle earring.

Earring back - a disk that fits over an earring post holding the earring securely in place.

Earring jackets - an earring accessory designed to be worn with a stud as a decorative backdrop.

Electroplating - the process of coating a base metal, with a film of gold, by electrolysis.

Emerald - the birthstone for May and the anniversary gemstone for the twentieth year of marriage. A rich, green colored beryl.

Emerald cut - a rectangular cut with rows of step cuts along the edges and at the corners.

Enhancer or ring enhancer - a ring made to be worn along with a diamond solitaire ring. Accent stones are set with a gap to accommodate and showcase the original ring. Popular anniversaries, they offer versatility to a jewelry collection.

Extender chain - a chain attached to another to provide a longer length.

Facet - one of the polished small plane surfaces of a cut gem. The facet is designed to enhance the reflection of light passing through the stone.

Fancy cut - refers to any gem cuts other that the round brilliant shape. Examples of these cuts would include heart, oval, square, emerald, baguette, marquise, etc.

Figaro chain - similar to a curb link chain, but instead of uniform links, the links alternate between long ones and round ones.

Filigree - lace-like ornamental work made from intricately arranged intertwined wires.

Findings - functional jewelry parts such as clasps, fasteners and jewelry construction components.

Foldover clasp - a clasp whose hinged part opens, fits through a ring and snaps closed to hold the ring in place.

Four C’s - an abbreviation for the words Color, Clarity, Cut and Carat, the four parameters by which the value of a diamond is determined.

Freshwater pearl - a pearl formed by a mussel living in a lake or a river.

Garnet - the birthstone for January featuring a reddish-brown color.

Gem - a stone that has been cut and polished for use in jewelry.

Genuine pearl - a small, smooth, round growth formed within the shell of a mollusk.

Girdle - the outermost edge of a gem cut.

Gold plated - a thin coating of electroplated or mechanically plated gold on top of a base metal.

Gold - a noble metal prized since ancient times for its beauty and purity since it does not oxidize or tarnish like most other metals. Gold is very suitable for jewelry due to its beauty and malleability, meaning it can be shaped or formed with relative ease. Gold is usually alloyed with other metals to make it more durable. It has also been used as currency and requires hallmarking ( a permanent stamp indicating the metal content of the item) in most of the world.

Gram - a metric unit of measure, one thousandth of a kilogram. One troy ounce equal thirty one grams.

Hallmark - a manufacturer’s mark stamped in an item indicating the content of the metal used to make it. For example, sterling silver is marked “.925”, fourteen karat gold is marked “14K’ or “.585”, Platinum “PT950” or “PLAT”. Some manufacturers may also use a symbol or letters denoting the company logo.

Hammered - a texture created by tapping with a small hammer.

Herringbone chain - a type of chain pattern created by small, slanting links giving it a flat effect.

Hidden box clasp - two short barrels that are screwed together to form a clasp.

High polish - a mirror like finish.

Hoop earring - a circular shaped earring made from metal wire or tubing. There are a number of variations including half-hoops, J-hoops, hoops with charms or ornaments hung from the hoop.

Inclusion - a particle of foreign matter within a mineral that inhibits the flow of light and may affect the appearance of the stone. Many inclusions decrease the value of a stone but some are prized as they are the cause of extraordinary phenomena such as star sapphires or tiger eye quartz.

Inlay - a decorative element or material embedded into another surface in such a manner that it is flush with the surface.

Insert or Ring Insert - a ring meant to add versatility and embellish a solitaire ring. An insert has two rows of diamonds with a gap between them to accommodate the solitaire ring when slipped into the insert.

Invisible set - a grooved setting that holds the stone(s) in such a manner that the setting itself can't be seen.

Jade - a durable, ornamental gemstone that ranges in color from pastel shades to rich dark browns. It has been prized in China for thousands of years and carved into magnificent objects of art. In jewelry, it used most frequently as cabochons and beads.

“Journey” jewelry - a piece of jewelry with at least five stones set in a row that graduate from small to large. Hugely popular, Journey jewelry is meant to symbolize spiritual growth and strengthening devotion.

Karat - a unit of measure, from 1 to 24, that indicates the gold content of a piece of jewelry. 14 karat gold is 14 parts of gold to 10 parts of other metals such as nickel, copper, etc.

Lever back - an earring with a backing that bends and latches behind the ear.

Links - individual rings or loops connected to form a chain.

Lobster claw clasp - a clasp used for necklaces and bracelets, that features an elongated hook which contains a spring mechanism that can be opened to catch the ring from the other end of the chain.

London Blue Topaz - the most saturated, deepest blue variety of blue topaz.

Marquise - an oval shape gemstone cut with pointed ends. The name originated from the mistress of King Louis XV, Marquise de Pompadour.

Matte - a non-shiny finish.

Millgrain edge - a knurled look of small beads or ridges, like the edge of a coin.

Natural Pearl - a natural pearl (also called a genuine pearl) is a pearl produced in an oyster, mussel or other mollusk as a reaction to a tiny invading object becoming embedded in the organism. Over a period of years, layers of nacre, a crystalline substance, are secreted to coat the foreign particle.

Noble Metals - metals that are relatively impervious to chemical reaction (less prone to tarnish or rust). These include gold, silver and platinum.

Omega - a flat chain with a solid surface formed by the links and worn high on the neck.

Onyx - a semi-precious stone composed of chalcedony (a variety of quartz) found naturally in white or gray. The white variety is generally dyed black for onyx.

Opal - the birthstone for October. A non-crystalline, rainbow-like mineral consisting of silicon and oxygen.

Panther link - a flat chain consisting of solid links arranged like bricks.

Pave setting - in this setting, small stones are set as close as possible, giving the look of being "paved" with stones.

Pavilion - the bottom portion of a diamond.

Pearl - a natural gemstone formed when a oyster is irritated by a substance that gets into its shell. If the irritation is a naturally occurring grain of sand, it is an Oriental pearl. If it is produced by purposefully inserting a mother-of-pearl bead, a cultured pearl is formed. A pearl that forms attached to the shell is a blister pearl, while a pearl that forms a half dome is a mabe (pronounced mah-bay) pearl. Pearls that are irregularly shaped rather than round are referred to as baroque.

Pendant - an ornament suspended from a single chain.

Peridot - the birthstone for August. It is a transparent gem, green in color.

Pierced earrings - have a wire or post that is inserted through an ear lobe that has been pierced.

Point - the unit of weight for gemstones equal to one-hundredth of a carat. 100 points=1 carat.

Post - a small pin-like finding that attaches to an earring. It passes through the pierced earlobe to be held on by an earring back.

Precious stones - Rare gems such as diamonds, emeralds, rubies, etc.

Princess cut - a modification of a square-cut gemstone.

Promise Ring - also known as a pre-engagement ring, usually with a relatively small stone. Promise rings have been gaining popularity in recent years and are being given by many young couples as tokens of affection.

Prong - one of several claw-like wires used to hold a gem in place.

Quartz - the most common mineral on earth. Gem varieties include amethyst, citrine, rose quartz, smoky quartz and tiger-eye quartz.

Rhodium - white metallic chemical element that when applied to the finish of gold jewelry give the effect of white gold. Also used to enhance white gold.

Ribbed - a textured effect consisting of ridges.

Ring guard - a ring worn above another ring to keep it from slipping off the finger.

Rope chain - a spiral shaped chain, appearing as two strands woven together.

Rose gold - an alloy of gold and copper.

Ruby - the birthstone for July. The red variety of corundum, second only to diamond in hardness.

Sapphire - birthstone for September. Gem variety of the mineral corundum. Commonly seen in blue. Sapphires are available in every color but red, simply because a red sapphire would be called a ruby.

Satin finish - a satin finish offers a softer luster than that of a bright finish.

Scalloped - an edge design consisting of a series of curves.

Screw back - an earring backing that secures the earring to the ear lobe, with a disk that screws onto the earring post.

Semi-precious stones - traditionally, all stones used in jewelry other than diamond, ruby, sapphire and emerald (known collectively as precious stones). The term does not necessarily reflect the stone’s value and most jewelers prefer the term gemstones instead.

Shank - the part of the ring to which the setting is attached.

Shoulder - the part of the ring that extends from the shank to the center of the setting.

Silver - a white ductile metallic chemical element used for coins, jewelry and table utensils.

Snap bar closure - a hinged bar that lifts up and down in order to secure or release an earring.

Solitaire - a single stone set alone.

Square cut - similar to an emerald cut. A cut in which the stone is square, bordered by four long narrow facets.

Stackable ring - multiple rings (two or more) which are designed to wear on the same finger.

Stainless steel - contains chromium and is virtually resistant to rust and corrosion.

Stamping - cutting or embossing a sheet of metal with a punch or a die.

Sterling silver - silver that is at least 92.5 % pure with 7.5% of another metal.

Straight bar closure - a hinged bar that fits into a catch in order to secure a pin.

Stud - a single stone or metal ball on a straight post worn on pierced ears.

Table - the flat top facet of a gemstone.

Tennis bracelet - a flexible bracelet made up of evenly matched stones. Many variations of tennis bracelets exist such as alternating stones, S-link bracelets, etc.

Three-stone jewelry - a jewelry piece that incorporates three diamonds of different or uniform size, meant to represent the past, present and future.

Three-piece Wedding Set - a set of rings that includes the bride’s engagement and wedding rings and the groom’s wedding ring that share a common design or motif.

Tiffany setting - a generally round, 6 prong setting consisting of long, slender prongs that flare out from the base.

Toggle clasp - a fastener consisting of a ring on one end of a bracelet or necklace and a short bar on the other end. The bar is slipped through the ring, turned lengthways and sits across the ring holding the two pieces together.

Topaz - Blue topaz is the birthstone for December. A transparent gem found in a variety of colors.

Tourmaline - is a gemstone which occurs in every color of the rainbow and combinations of two or three colors.

Translucent - partly transparent, although light passes through, objects cannot clearly be distinguished.

Trillion cut - a brilliant cut triangular stone with 44 facets.

Turquoise - a greenish-blue semi-precious stone.

Two-toned - a jewelry item that uses to different colors of gold, most commonly white, yellow or rose.

Ultrasonic cleaner - a devise that cleans jewelry by using a fluid that is vibrated at high frequency. Ultrasonic cleaning does not scratch the surface or harm the items like many chemical or abrasive agents. Some gemstones are not suited to ultrasonic cleaning. For more information click here.

Vermeil - (pronounced ver-may) sterling silver plated (coated) with gold.

Vintage-style - highly ornamental pieces characterized by intricate details. Vintage style jewelry is reminiscent of heirloom Victorian jewelry.

White gold - an alloy of nickel, zinc, copper, tin and manganese similar in color to platinum.

Wrap - a ring made to be worn along with a diamond solitaire ring. Accent stones are set with in contoured crescent to accommodate and showcase the original ring. Popular for anniversaries, they offer versatility to a jewelry collection.

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Zinc - an abundant lustrous metal frequently used in gold, silver and bronze alloys. It has wide industrial uses too.

Zircon - a natural gemstone available in a variety of colors. The colorless variety used to be used as a diamond imitation until cubic zirconium (which is more durable and has more sparkle) became readily available.