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Carat (ct)

• Unit of diamond weight. 1 carat = 0.20 grams.

• Bigger carat ≠ always better; cut quality and face-up size matter too.

Cut Grade

• How well the diamond is proportioned and polished to reflect light (brilliance, fire, scintillation).

• Common grades: Excellent, Very Good, Good, Fair, Poor on GIA reports.

Color Grade

• How colorless (or tinted) a diamond appears on the D–Z scale. D–F are colorless; G–J near-colorless, and so on.

Clarity Grade

• How free the diamond is from internal inclusions and external blemishes.

• Range: FL/IF → VVS → VS → SI → I.

Fluorescence

• How a diamond glows under UV light (often blue). Can be None, Faint, Medium, Strong, Very Strong.

Table

• The large, flat top facet of a diamond.

Crown

• The upper portion between the table and the girdle.

Girdle

• The narrow band around the widest point; where laser inscriptions are often placed.

Pavilion

• The lower part of the stone below the girdle.

Culet

• The tiny point (or facet) at the very bottom of the diamond.

Facet

• Any flat, polished surface on a diamond. The pattern and precision of facets drive sparkle.

Proportions

• The relationship of table, depth, angles, etc. Good proportions help push light back to your eye; poor ones leak light.

Symmetry

• How well the facets align with each other. Better symmetry = more balanced sparkle.

Polish

• Smoothness of the facet surfaces after cutting. Poor polish can show as fine lines or haze.

Shape

• The outline of the stone: round, oval, cushion, emerald, radiant, pear, marquise, Asscher, princess, heart, etc.

Round Brilliant

• The classic 57/58 facet round; engineered to maximize sparkle.

Brilliant Cut (style)

• Faceting pattern that uses triangular/ kite-shaped facets to emphasize sparkle (e.g., round, oval, radiant).

Step Cut

• Facets arranged like “stairs,” emphasizing clarity and clean flashes (e.g., emerald, Asscher).

Mixed Cut

• Combines brilliant and step facets (e.g., some cushions, princesses).

Fancy Shape

• Any non-round shape (oval, pear, marquise, heart, etc.).

Natural Diamond

• Crystalized carbon formed in the earth over millions of years, mined and then cut.

Lab-Grown Diamond (LGD)

• Real diamond grown in a controlled lab using high pressure/high temperature (HPHT) or chemical vapor deposition (CVD). Same crystal structure and beauty as natural, typically better value-for-look.

HPHT (High Pressure High Temperature)

• Growth method that mimics deep-earth conditions to crystallize carbon into diamond.

CVD (Chemical Vapor Deposition)

• Growth method where carbon atoms accumulate in layers from a gas, forming a diamond slab.

Synthetic vs Simulant

• Synthetic diamond: same chemistry and structure as natural, just lab-grown.

• Simulant: looks like a diamond but is a different material (e.g., cubic zirconia, moissanite).

Treatment

• Any process used to change a diamond’s color or clarity (e.g., HPHT whitening, fracture filling, laser drilling, coating, irradiation).

Certification / Grading Report

• Independent lab document (e.g., GIA, IGI) describing a stone’s 4Cs, measurements, plots, and treatments. Critical for apples-to-apples comparisons.

Laser Inscription

• Tiny engraving on the girdle—often a report number or special message—visible under magnification.

Setting

• The metal structure that holds the stones in your ring.

Prong Setting

• Small metal claws grip the stone at the girdle. Great light and sparkle; needs periodic prong checks.

Bezel Setting

• Metal fully or partially wraps the stone’s edge for maximum security and smooth, low-snag wear.

Pavé Setting

• Tiny diamonds set close together, appearing like a “paved” surface of sparkle.

Channel Setting

• Stones lined up between parallel metal walls with no prongs between them.

Cathedral Setting

• Arched metal shoulders lift the center stone for a higher profile and more presence.

Tension Setting

• Stone is squeezed between the ends of the band, held in place by pressure. Very modern, but not ideal for every lifestyle.

Halo

• A ring of smaller diamonds surrounding the center stone to boost visual size and sparkle.

Hidden Halo

• A ring of small diamonds tucked just below the center stone, visible from the side but subtle from the top.

Solitaire

• Classic style featuring one center stone as the focus.

Three-Stone

• One center stone with a diamond on each side; can symbolize past, present, future.

Toi et Moi

• “You and me” in French—two featured stones side by side, often different shapes.

Basket / Head

• The upper “cage” that holds the center stone (prongs + supporting structure).

Gallery / Gallery Rail

• The side view architecture under the center stone; affects profile, stacking, and how easy it is to clean.

Shank

• The actual ring band circling the finger.

Split Shank

• Band splits into two or more strands as it approaches the center.

Euro-Shank

• Squared bottom of the band to help prevent spinning.

Stacking / Ring Stack

• Combining engagement ring, wedding band, and/or anniversary bands on the same finger.

Alloy

• Blend of metals that changes hardness, color, or durability.

Karat (K)

• Measure of gold purity out of 24 (e.g., 14K, 18K). Higher K = more gold, softer metal.

Yellow Gold

• Traditional gold tone; alloyed with metals like silver and copper.

White Gold

• Gold alloyed with white metals; usually rhodium plated to appear bright white. Needs periodic replating.

Rose Gold

• Pink tone created by adding more copper to the alloy.

Platinum

• Naturally white, dense, highly durable; doesn’t need rhodium plating.

Rhodium Plating

• Thin coating that makes white gold extra bright white; wears over time and must be refreshed.

Milgrain

• Tiny beaded edging detail along the metal

Filigree

• Delicate, lacy wirework in metal.

Finish / Texture

• Surface look of the metal: high polish, matte/satin, hammered, Florentine, etc.

Charm

• Small decorative piece that hangs from a bracelet or chain.

Clasp

• Closure on a necklace/bracelet (lobster, spring ring, box, etc.)

Hallmark / Stamp

• Tiny mark inside a ring/band indicating metal type, maker, sometimes country of origin

Melee

• Small diamonds usually under ~0.20ct used in halos, pavé bands, etc

Earring Backs

• Friction / Push backs: standard butterfly backs for studs.

• Screw backs: threaded posts for extra security.

• Lever backs: hinged closure for drops.

Loupe

• Small jeweler’s magnifier (often 10x) used to inspect stones.

• Adjusting the band to fit larger or smaller while protecting structural integrity.

• Rebuilding worn prongs so they securely hold the stone again.

• Fixing or replacing the bottom of a band that has cracked, thinned, or warped.

• Refreshing the white finish on white gold rings.

• Removing surface scratches and restoring shine or texture.

• Machine that uses vibrations in cleaning solution to remove buildup from jewelry.

• Professional check of prongs, shank, stones, and overall wear

• Formal document assigning replacement value for insurance, based on metal, stones, and craftsmanship.