| 4 C’s
| The Grading System for Grading Diamonds was designed by G.I.A. It includes: Cut, Clarity, Color and Carat Weight! |
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| 10x
| 10x Means Ten Powered Magnification! It’s used in Jeweler’s Microscopes & Jeweler’s Hand-Held Loupes for Grading Gems. |
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| Alloys
| Alloys are Metals or Minerals that are mixed with other Metals to make them stronger and more durable. Like 14kt Gold is 14% Gold & 10% Alloy. |
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| Amethyst
| Amethyst is the Birthstone for February. This lovely Purple Quartz is one of the most Popular, Beautiful, and most Inexpensive Gemstones found on Earth. |
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| Appraisal
| Replacement Value of Jewelry Items. Whether it is Rings, Pendants, Bracelets or Earrings. Jewelry Appraisals are usually used for Insurance purposes. |
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| Aquamarine
| Aquamarine is the Birthstone for March. This beautiful Light-Blue Gem resembles Water and is often a favorite for people who wear Blue. |
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| Baguette
| A Cut of Diamond that is long & narrow. Baguette is French for “Little Sticks”. Baguettes & Tapered Baguettes are often used in Wedding Sets. |
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| Bead Setting
| A way of Setting Gemstones and Diamonds into Mountings. The Stones are held into the Pave setting by tiny, little Beads of Metal. |
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| Beryl
| A popular Parent Gemstone for which both Emeralds and Aquamarines come from. Beryl often comes from Pegmatites in Caves. |
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| Bezel Facets
| Small Facets that are cut into the top Crown of a Diamond. They help bend light into the Diamond to reflect back Fire and Brilliance. |
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| Bezel Setting
| Bezel Setting a Stone into a Mounting with nothing more than a Wall of Metal that circles the Stone and holds it down securely. |
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| Birthstones
| Gemstones that are designated for the 12 Months of the Year. Even though there are 12 Months, there are actually 17 Birthstones in all. |
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| Blemishes
| Tiny Marks or Flaws that show on the outside surface of a Diamond. Blemishes are usually graded differently than Internal Inclusions. |
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| Blue Diamonds
| A Natural Fancy Blue Colored Diamond that emits a beautiful Blue or Blue-Green shade of Color like the well known Hope Diamond. |
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| Bow-Tie
| A dark shadow that looks like a Bow-Tie and forms inside Fancy Cut Diamonds because of their elongated style of Cut! |
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| Brilliance
| The amount of White Light that reflects back from the body of a Diamond. White Light is called “Brilliance”. Colored Light is called “Fire”. |
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| Bridal Set
| A term used to describe the combination of the Ladies Engagement Ring and the Ladies Wedding Band! They are usually sold together as a Set! |
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| Brilliant Cut
| The most popular Cut of Diamond in the World. The Brilliant Cut is a Round Cut Diamond that has 58 Facets on it (57 if there is no Culet). |
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| Carat
| The word Carat is used to describe the Weight of a Stone. e.g. There are 100 Points in a Carat Diamond (1.00 CT). 50 Points in a 1/2 Carat (.50 CT). |
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| Carat Weight
| Carat Weight refers to the actual Weight of the Diamond. Carat Weight is one of the 4 C’s that are used to Grade and Price Diamonds! |
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| Carbon Spots
| Carbon Spots are Inclusions or Imperfections inside a Diamond. Carbon Spots are more noticeable when they are Black in color! |
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| Cavities
| Inclusions that extend into a Diamond. A Cavity usually looks like a rough hole or deep chunk taken out of the Diamond’s surface! |
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| Channel Setting
| A way of Setting Diamonds or Gemstones into a Mounting. Channels are Walls that are built into the Ring which then hold the stones securely! |
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| Citrine
| The official Birthstone for the Month of November. Citrine is a wonderful Yellow-Orange Gemstone that often resembles a Golden Sunset! |
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| Clarity
| One of the 4C’s that refers to the amount of Inclusions inside a Diamond. The cleaner the stone, the higher the Clarity! |
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| Clarity Grades
| Clarity Ranges are: Flawless, Internally Flawless, Very Very Slightly Included, Very Slightly Included, Slightly Included & Imperfect! |
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| Clouds
| Foggy areas in a Diamond that are Imperfections in the stone. They are often mistaken for a “White” Diamond because they resemble Salt! |
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| Cleavage
| Cleavage refers to the way a Diamond is Cut. Cleavage lines are followed by the Cutter to determine the Shape & Cut of the stone! |
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| Color
| Color is one of the 4 C’s of Diamond Grading that refers to the Hue of the Diamond, whether it be White, Yellow, Brown or Fancy Colored! |
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| Corundum
| Corundum is one of the most sought after Gemstone families there is. Both Ruby and Sapphire come from this wonderful rock! It’s very durable! |
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| Crown
| Crown can mean 2 things: It’s the top part of a Diamond. And also, it’s the end of a Watch Stem that’s used to set the time and date! |
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| Crystals
| Crystals can mean 2 different things: It’s a type of Inclusion found in a Diamond. And it’s also the Glass on the Face of a Watch! |
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| Cubic Zirconia
| Cubic Zirconia, or CZ or Cubic Zirconium, is a man-made Diamond Look-a-like. CZ is Inexpensive, very Pretty, Colorful, but also very Brittle! |
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| Culet
| The Culet is the Facet on the bottom, or tip of the Diamond. Most Diamonds have a Culet, but it’s not necessary for the Beauty or the Cut!
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| Cultured Pearl
| Pearls that are man-made in a Laboratory to duplicate how Nature makes them. Cultured Pearls are often better looking than Real Pearls because they can control the shape! |
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| Cut
| Cut is one of the 4 C’s that refers to the Cut of the Diamond, and not the Shape! Cut, Proportions, Facets and Depth are all rolled into one! |
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| Depth
| Depth is often referred to as the Depth of a Diamond. The Depth can determine whether your Diamond is Cut to Proper Proportions or not! |
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| Diamond
| Diamond is not only the Hardest Natural Substance known to Man, but it’s also the Official Gemstone, or Birthstone for the Month of April! |
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| Diamond Tester
| A Diamond Tester is a device used to determine if a stone is a Genuine Diamond or another Stone like CZ, or even a Lab-Made Diamond Simulant! |
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| Emerald
| One of the Precious Gemstones that is very Rare & Deep Green in Color. Emerald is also the official Birthstone for the Month of May! |
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| Emerald Cut
| A Cut of Diamond that’s Rectangular in Shape. Emerald Cuts used to be very popular, that is until the Princess Cut took over! |
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| E.S.P.
| Stands for Extended Service Plan which is a great additional plan that Jewelers sell you to cover the cost of Repairing your Jewelry! |
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| Extra Facets
| Extra Facets can be a Diamond with more than 58 Facets. Or a Diamond with an Extra Facet Cut out of the stone to rid the Diamond of a defect or Inclusion! |
| Facets
| The actual Cut, Polished, Angles & Slants of the outer surface of a Diamond. All Facets should be Symmetrical and Exact. |
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| Fancy Color
| Fancy Colored Diamonds are Diamonds graded below a Z+ on the G.I.A. Color Grading Chart. The Hope Diamond is a Fancy Blue Colored Diamond. |
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| Fancy Shapes
| Fancy Shapes are all Diamond Shapes other than Round. Fancy Shapes are like: Marquise, Princess, Pear, Oval, Trilliant, Baguette, Heart, and more. |
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| Feathers
| Feathers are small Inclusions that are found inside a Diamond. These Imperfections can sometimes look like the Feathers of a Bird. |
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| Finish
| Can mean 2 things: The Polish & Finish of a Diamond. Or, the surface of Gold, like Polished, Sand Blasted, Diamond Cut, Hammered, or Satin Finish. |
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| Fire
| Fire is the name given to flashes of Light that emit from a Diamond that are bent and form all the different colors of the Rainbow. Fire is Colored Light! |
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| Fish-Eye
| The effect a Diamond gives off when the Depth of the Diamond is too Shallow. A circle appears around the inside that looks like a Fish Eye. |
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| FL
| FL is short for Flawless! Flawless is the highest Clarity Grade given to any Diamond. It is free from any Internal Inclusions or External Imperfections! |
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| Flawless
| (FL) Flawless is Clarity Perfection in a Diamond! Being the highest Clarity Grade on the Clarity Chart, it’s free from any Imperfections what-so-ever! |
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| Fluorescence
| A crazy Optical Property that Diamonds have with a reaction to Light. Fluorescence makes a Diamond look foggy and often Glows-in-the-Dark. |
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| Flush Setting
| Flush Settings are when Diamonds or Gemstones are set Flush or Level in the Mounting. Sometimes called Burnished Settings or Gypsy Settings. |
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| Fracture Filled
| Fracture Filling is a process where a Laser Beam is drilled down into an Inclusion, which is then Dissolved out, then filled with a clear substance. |
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| Fresh Water
| Fresh Water Pearls are grown in Fresh water. F/W Pearls are great because they are Natural, look wonderful in Jewelry and Necklaces, and are very Inexpensive! |
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| Fool’s Gold
| Fool’s Gold is great Mineral called Pyrite that got it’s name because most miners would confuse the Shiny Metallic Rock for real Gold! |
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| Full Cut
| A name given to a Diamond that has all 58 Facets to it. Some Diamonds are also called Single Cuts, and they only have 18 Facets on them! |
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| Garnet
| The official Birthstone for the Month of January. Garnets are a wonderful Red-Orange-Rust hue that often resembles fine Wine! |
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| G.I.A.
| G.I.A. is short for the Gemological Institute of America. G.I.A. is the company that devised the well known 4 C’s Diamond Grading System. |
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| Girdle
| A Girdle is a Smooth, Faceted, or Rough Edge that goes around the Outer Portion of the Diamond. The Girdle is the Widest part of a Diamond. |
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| Gold Allergies
| An Allergic reaction to Gold. Most people with Gold Allergies are not Allergic to the actual Gold itself, but the Nickel Alloy mixed in with the Gold. |
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| Golden Jubilee
| A name given to the 50th Wedding Anniversary because Gold is one of the official Gift to give for such a momentum occasion. |
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| Grading System
| The Grading System is actually the 4 C’s Diamond Grading System, that refers to the Diamond’s Cut, Clarity, Color and Carat Weight! |
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| Gypsy Setting
| Same as Flush Setting. Where a Gemstone is set flush and even with the mounting using no prongs or beads holding in the stone. |
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| Head
| The portion of the Ring or Jewelry that holds the Diamond or Gemstones. Heads often have 4 or 6 Prongs and are Soldered onto the Mounting. |
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| Heat Treated
| Heat Treated refers to a treatment used to help enhance Color in a Diamond or Gemstone. Often used with Blue Diamonds or Blue Topaz. |
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| I Clarity
| I Clarity is the lowest Clarity Grade given to Diamonds. I Clarity has eye-visible Inclusions, and is broken down into the I1, I2 and I3 Clarity Range. |
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| Ideal Cut
| Marcel Tolkowsky devised a Cut of Diamond that maximized both the Brilliance and Fire of a Diamond. Ideal Cuts are exceptional & expensive. |
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| IF
| IF stands for Internally Flawless. IF Diamonds have no Inclusions inside the Diamond, but can have some blemishes on the Diamond’s surface. |
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| Imperfections
| Imperfections are Identifying Marks or Inclusions that are found inside or outside the Diamond. Imperfections are what Clarity is Graded upon. |
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| Inclusions
| Same thing as Imperfections. Any Flaw that can be seen either with the naked-eye, or under 10x magnification is an Inclusion, or Blemish. |
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| Inscriptions
| Inscriptions are Laser Etched Numbers & Letters (Report #) that are laser burned into the Girdle of a Diamond. Often for Identifying the stone. |
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| Karat
| Term given for the amount of Gold in a particular Metal. 14 Karat (14kt) is 14 parts Gold and 10 parts Alloy. 10kt Gold is 10 parts Gold & 14 parts Alloy. |
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| Lab Grown
| A term given to Gemstones that are not found in Nature but are actually grown and processed in a Laboratory. Moissanite is a man-made stone. |
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| Lapidary
| The name given to the person that actually cuts the Diamonds and Gemstones. Lapidarists often take years to cut a single Diamond. |
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| Laser Drilling
| A procedure where a Laser Drill Hole is tunneled into a Diamond to dissolve out any Imperfections or Flaws. Laser Drilling is a permanent process and may even weaken the Diamond. |
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| Light Carat
| A term given to a Diamond that’s close to the milestone Carat Weights (1/4, 1/2, 3/4, 1 Carat). Like a .44 pt Diamond can actually be sold as a 1/2 Carat Diamond. |
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| Loupe
| A hand-held tool that Jewelers use to view and grade Diamonds and Gemstones with. Jeweler’s Loupes are often 10x Magnification. |
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| Luster
| Often referred to as the shine and reflection coming from the Pearl Body. The more the Luster, the better the shine and thicker the shell. |
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| Marquise
| A Shape of Diamond that looks like a Football. It has two pointed sides that help give the Marquise Diamond that great elongated appearance!
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| Melee
| A term given to very small Diamonds. Usually small Diamonds are sold in a Melee Package of Diamonds ranging from .01 pt to .18 pts. each. |
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| Mohs Scale
| The Mohs Scale is a Scale that rates the hardness of Gemstones and Minerals. Diamond is the highest on the scale being a 10. Gold is 2.5 |
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| Moissanite
| is a man-made Gemstone that looks similar to a Diamond, but has more Fire and a Yellowish Cast to it. |
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| Moonstone
| Moonstones are from a family of rock called Feldspars. Ranging in many wonderful Colors, Moonstones are known for their great healing powers! |
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| Mounting
| Name given for the Setting, Ring, or Jewelry that Diamonds & Gemstones are set into. Mountings can be Gold, Platinum, Silver, or any type of Metal! |
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| Naturals
| External Inclusions that exist on the outside of the Diamond. Naturals are usually found around the Girdle of the Diamond looking like a rough nick. |
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| Nickel
| A Metal usually mixed with Gold to form 14kt or 10kt Gold. Nickel makes the Metal durable enough to be used for Jewelry. |
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| Old European
| An Old Cut of Diamond that dates back for Centuries. Old European Cut Diamonds are hand-cut, & often Thicker, Deeper, with a larger Culet! |
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| Oval Cut
| A wonderful Cut of Diamond that’s Oval in Shape. Oval Cut Diamonds tend to look larger than other Cuts of Diamonds due to it’s soft edges & curves. |
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| Partial Bezel
| Unlike true Bezel Set Mountings where a wall of Metal would encircle around the entire stone to hold it in, Partial Bezels only have half a Bezel, and grip opposite sides of the stone! |
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| Pave
| Pave Setting is used to describe small beads of Metal that are used to hold Diamonds or Gemstones in the Mounting versus Prongs or Heads. |
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| Pavilion
| The Pavilion is the bottom section of a Diamond. The entire bottom half of the Diamond (from the Girdle down) that comes to a point is the Pavilion. |
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| Pear Shape
| A Fancy Diamond Cut that’s Round on one end (like a Brilliant Cut), and Pointed at the other (like a Marquise Cut). it’s also called Tear Drop! |
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| Pinpoints
| Very Tiny Imperfections or Inclusions inside a Diamond that look like dots or a group of dots. Pinpoint flaws affect a Diamond’s Clarity Grading! |
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| Platinum
| Platinum is a very durable Pure Metal that’s used for making White Metal Jewelry. Platinum is a tough to work with and very, very expensive. |
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| Plumb Gold
| When you see Plumb Gold or KP (Karat Plumb) stamped inside your Ring or Jewelry, it means that it’s at least 14kt Gold or higher in Gold content. |
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| Polish
| Polish can mean the Finish or Smooth Surface of a Diamond. It can also mean the Finish or Surface of Metals like Gold, Silver and Platinum. |
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| Posts
| Posts are the long thin Metal ends of an Earring that go through your ears. Earrings that have Posts & Backs are referred to as Post Earrings! |
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| Princess Cut
| Princess Cut Diamonds are normally Square in Shape, but are often found Rectangular as well. Being very popular, Princess Cuts tend to look rather large! |
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| Promise Ring
| A Ring given as a token of Appreciation, Love & Commitment. Promise Rings have taken new meanings lately symbolizing Abstinence & Waiting! |
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| Prong Setting
| Type of Mounting that holds stones in with Prongs. Prong Settings are perfect for showing off Diamonds like in a Diamond Engagement Ring! |
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| Proportions
| The Angles, Cuts & Percentages that make up the Diamond. If the Facets, Girdle, Depth & Angles are all Cut well, it can have a Great Proportion or Make. |
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| Radiant Cut
| A Shape of Cut that is Rectangular. Radiant Cuts are wonderful Cuts of Diamond that never really became as popular as the Princess Cuts. |
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| Remount
| A term used to remove your Gemstones from your old mounting & reset them into a brand new one. Jewelry Remount Shows are very popular! |
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| Retipping
| Retipping is when the Prongs of your Ring or Jewelry get low & the Jeweler adds Gold or Metal to the tips of them making them more durable again. |
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| Rhodium Plating
| A durable White Metal that’s Plated to the outside of Rings & Jewelry. White Gold is Rhodium Plated to make it look Whiter. Silver may be as well. |
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| Ruby
| A member of the Corundum Family (that includes Sapphire). Ruby is very durable, a 9 on the Mohs Scale. Ruby is Deep Red, Precious & Expensive. |
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| Sapphire
| A member of the Corundum Family that’s very Durable and very Expensive. Sapphire comes in all colors of the Rainbow except Red (that’s a Ruby)! |
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| Shape
| Shape refers to the Physical Shape of the Stone. Round, Marquise, Oval, Princess Cut, Trilliant, Radiant, and Heart, are all great Diamond Shapes! |
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| Shank
| The word Shank refers to the bottom part of a Ring. The actual band that wraps around your finger is called the Shank! A Thin Shank is Bad! |
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| SI Clarity
| SI Clarity makes up the Clarity Range of SI1 and SI2. (You’ll also find SI3, but it’s not recognized by GIA) SI is a great average Clarity that has Small Inclusions in them when viewed under 10x Magnification. |
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| Silver
| A very Abundant, Soft White Metal that’s used for Jewelry all over the World. Silver is 100% Pure. Sterling Silver is 92.5% Pure making it more durable. |
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| Single Cut
| Single Cut Diamonds are small Diamonds with just a couple of Facets on them. Usually around 18. Single Cuts are used a lot for side Diamonds. |
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| Sizing
| Process of Sizing a Ring up or down to fit a finger. Sizings are done by Cutting the Shank, Adding/ Removing Metal, & Soldering it back together again. |
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| Stainless Steel
| A Durable White Metal that’s used in Today’s Modern Jewelry. Being very Distinct, Masculine, Durable & Inexpensive, Men love the look & feel of Steel. |
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| Switching
| Diamond Switching is when a Jeweler switches out your Beautiful Diamond with a Lower Quality of Diamond. It’s wise to Prevent Diamond Switching by knowing your Diamond, and having it Laser Inscribed! |
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| Symmetry
| Symmetry refers to how perfect a Diamond is Cut. Facets should be Proportional & line up with all the other Facets to form Great Symmetry. |
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| Table
| The Table of a Diamond is the top flat Plate of the Diamond. A smooth Surface that Reflects Light & also allows Light to enter & exit the Diamond. |
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| Tightening
| When your Gems or Diamonds are loose in the Setting, Jewelers will Squeeze the Metal Prongs, Channels or Mounting together to tighten them. |
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| Titanium
| An extremely durable Metal that has a Gun-Metal Gray look to it. Titanium is a very Popular and Inexpensive White Metal used in Jewelry Today. |
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| Total Weight
| The Entire Diamond Weight added up as one lump sum. A Ring may have 1.00 Carat in the Center, but have 1.50 Total Diamond Weight all together. |
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| Trigon
| Trigons are Triangular Shaped Growth Lines that appear on the outside of a Diamond. Usually seen on the Diamond’s Girdle, they do affect the Clarity Rating! |
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| Trilliant
| Diamond Shape that looks like a Triangle. Also called Trillion! Trilliant Cuts are beautiful Cuts that were once popular, but now hardly seen! |
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| Ultrasonic
| Ultrasonic Cleaners use Ultrasonic Sound Waves to break up dirt particles off Rings & Jewelry and Cleans them very well! |
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| VS
| VS stands for Very Slightly Included. VS Clarity is a great Diamond Clarity that has hard to see flaws only visible under 10x Magnification. |
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| VVS
| VVS (Very Very Slightly Included) is one of the Best Diamond Clarity Grades on the market. Very Clean, Very Awesome, Very Expensive! |
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| Weight
| Weight refers to Carat Weight or Karat Weight. Diamond Carat Weight is usually marked as CT and Gold Karat Weight is usually marked as KT. |
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| White Gold
| A man-made White Metal that was made as a substitute for Platinum. White Gold is Yellow Gold with White Alloys added to make it look Whiter. |
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