Glossary of Jewelry Terms

Jewelry jargon can sometimes sound like a foreign language if you’re not familiar with the commonly-used terms. What follows is a definition list of basic terms that will help make your shopping experience easier.

Baguette setting – rectangular-shaped stone with rows of step-like facets. Jewelry with baguettes whose sides taper inward are called tapered baguettes.

Bezel – the rim of the jewelry that holds the stone and surrounds the stone completely. Bezels can be molded into any shape to accommodate a stone.

Carat – unit of measurement for weight for diamonds and gemstones. Jewelry with a higher carat weight is more expensive.

Crown – the top of a diamond.

Culet – the pointed bottom portion of a diamond.

Facet – the flat polished surface of a diamond or gemstone. Jewelry with carefully planned facets (placement, angle, and shape) tends to maximize the beauty of the piece.

Luster – depth and hue of the reflection from opals, pearls, or other opaque stone jewelry.

Princess cut – square or occasionally rectangular-shaped modified diamond. This cut is popular in bridal jewelry and engagement rings.

Scintillation – the sparkling flashes that gleam from the facets of the gem when light strikes a diamond.

Shape – appearance or form of a diamond. Diamond jewelry usually comes in round, square, triangular, pear, marquise, oval, or heart shapes.

Solitaire – single diamond or gem set by itself in mounting. Popular with wedding/engagement jewelry.

Table – the top surface of a cut gemstone or diamond.

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