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Jewellery Terminology
Knowledge Centre · Glossary

Jewellery Terminology

The words you will see on reports and in jewellers' showrooms.

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How stones are held in place.

  • Prong / claw: metal tips holding the stone
  • Pavé: many small stones set close together
  • Bezel: a metal rim surrounding the stone
  • Channel: stones set in a row between two metal walls

Metals

Gold purity is expressed in karats or fineness.

  • 18K / 750: 75% pure gold
  • 14K / 585: 58.5% pure gold
  • 950 platinum: 95% pure platinum

Stones

  • Centre stone: the main stone of the piece
  • Side stones: smaller accent stones
  • Total carat weight: the combined weight of all stones
World Gemological Institute

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