Glossary

An Explanation of Jewellery Terminology

If there are any jewellery terms that you don't know the meaning of and can't find them here then please contact us.

Baguette
A recangular shaped gemstone.

Baroque
An irregular shape (usually pearls / cultured pearls).

Brilliant
A modern round cut, with 57 facets (usually on a diamond).

Cabochon
A gemstone cut as a dome.

Collet
The gemstone setting.

Culet
The small facet on the base of a gemstone.

Dispersion
Fire within a transparent gemstone.

Emerald Cut
Rectangular shaped with the corners cut off.

Facet
Polished flat surface on a gemstone.

Girdle
The widest part of a gemstone.

Inclusion
A natural internal feature of a gemstone.

Loupe
A jeweller's magnifying glass.

Lustre
The surface reflectance of a gemstone.

Marquise
A boat-shaped gemstone cut.

Mount
The metal piece of jewellery before the gems are set.

Paste
A glass imitation gemstone.

Pavilion
The bottom part of a gemstone.

Pear
Teardrop-shaped gemstone.

Shank
The part of the ring that excludes the settings.

Synthetic
A man-made 'gemstone'.

Table
The top facet on a gemstone.