Jewelry Glossary |
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A small rectangular-cut diamond used as an accent stone.
A setting in which a metal "collar" completely or partially surrounds the stone and holds it inside.
The light-reflecting power from the surface as well as deep inside a diamond. Brilliance is affected by the diamond's proportions, polish, symmetry and clarity.
Diamond surface imperfections such as nicks, scratches or abrasions.
A faceting style designed to maximize brilliance. Facets appear to radiate out from the center of the diamond.
A teardrop shaped gem that is top-drilled and has triangular facets.
The standard unit of weight to measure gemstones. One carat equals 200 milligrams.
A setting in which stones are set right next to each other with no metal in between them. Generally used for wedding and anniversary rings.
Describes the relative lack of imperfections inside and on the surface of a diamond. The higher the clarity, the better the diamond.
The general hue of a diamond, graded according to a relative lack of color - from completely colorless (D) to light yellow (Z).
A ring which is contoured on the inside surface for a more comfortable fit.
The upper part of a cut gemstone, above the girdle.
A small, octagonal facet sometimes added to the bottom of a diamond's pavilion to protect the tip from being damaged.
A softened square diamond with curved sides and rounded corners.
The proportions and symmetry of a diamond. The cut determines how well it reflects light, which is responsible for its brilliance.
A diamond's height, from the culet to the table, measured in millimeters.
The width of the diamond, measured through the girdle.
Also known as a diamond's "fire," the flashes of color caused by the breakup of white light into spectral colors (such as red, blue and green) as it hits a diamond's surface.
A square or rectangular step-cut stone with cut corners.
The smooth, flat, polished surfaces on a diamond, allowing light to enter and reflect off at different angles.
All non-round diamond shapes.
Any small fractures below a gemstone's surface, which look either transparent or light white under magnification.
All aspects of a diamond's appearance that are due to the diamond cutter's skill - including polish, girdle quality and faceting precision.
The naturally-occurring glow emitted by certain diamonds when they are exposed to ultraviolet light. Under most other lighting conditions, it is undetectable to the naked eye. Flourescence may lower the price of some diamonds, but many people actually prefer the effect.
The factors that determine a diamond's overall quality: cut, clarity, color and carat weight.
The narrow outline that separates the top (crown) and bottom (pavilion) sections of a diamond, which is measured in terms of thickness.
Clarity characteristics found within a diamond.
The unit to measure gold purity. 100% gold, for example, is 24 karat, while 75% gold is 18 karat.
A permanent diamond enhancement process in which a strong acid solution is forced into a laser-drilled hole so dark inclusions can be bleached and the diamond's appearance improved.
An elongated diamond shape with points at each end.
A shiny, iridescent substance secreted by a mollusk in response to a foreign substance such as a grain of sand or an inserted bead. Layers of nacre form a pearl.
An elliptical shaped stone which is an elongated version of a round.
A group of tiny, fully-faceted stones are set tightly together with no metal showing through - so the piece looks like it is completely covered with diamonds.
The portion of the diamond below the girdle.
A tear-drop shaped diamond.
A unit of measurement for diamond weight. 100 points equal one carat.
Any blemishes on a diamond's surface that don't affect the stone's clarity grade - including small surface nicks or scratches. An indicator of the quality of a diamond's cut.
A style used from the 16th century where the diamond has a flat base and triangular facets that rise to form a dome.
The most popular diamond shape, based on 57 or 58 facets.
A diamond's "sparkle" - the flashes of light reflected from a diamond's facets when the diamond is moved.
The metal mounting holding a polished diamond.
A quality indicator of a diamond's cut. It refers to the precision of the facet placement on a polished diamond.
The large, flat facet on the top of a diamond.
A triangular fancy shape diamond.
A comparison of a diamond's weight in relation to its diameter.
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