The short answer: this glossary explains the words you meet when buying a ring or a diamond, from carat and clarity to claw and cathedral, in plain English. Use it as a reference while you read reports and talk to jewellers.
Jewellery has its own vocabulary, and it can feel like a foreign language at first. These definitions cover the terms people ask about most, grouped by topic so they are easy to scan.
Diamond terms
| Term | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Carat | A unit of weight for stones. One carat is 0.2 grams. |
| Clarity | How free a stone is of internal marks and surface marks. |
| Colour | For white diamonds, how colourless the stone is. |
| Cut | The proportions and finish, which shape the sparkle. |
| Fluorescence | A glow some diamonds show under ultraviolet light. |
| Inclusion | A natural internal feature in a stone. |
| Lab grown | A real diamond made in a laboratory. |
| Natural | A diamond formed in the earth. |
| Report or certificate | A document that describes a stone. |
| Table | The large flat facet on top of a stone. |
| Girdle | The thin edge around the widest part of a stone, where it is held. |
| Facet | One of the small flat surfaces cut on a stone. |
Ring and setting terms
| Term | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Band or shank | The part of the ring that goes around the finger. |
| Bezel | A metal rim that surrounds a stone. |
| Cathedral | Arches that rise from the band to the stone. |
| Claw or prong | A small metal grip that holds a stone. |
| Halo | A ring of small stones around a centre stone. |
| Hidden halo | A ring of small stones set under the centre stone, seen from the side. |
| Pave | Small stones set closely together. |
| Solitaire | A ring with a single stone. |
| Eternity ring | A band set with stones all the way round or part way. |
| Signet | A ring with a flat face for engraving. |
| Shoulders | The sides of the band next to the stone. |
Metal terms
- Hallmark: an official mark that shows metal and purity.
- Karat or carat gold: the purity of gold, with higher numbers meaning purer.
- Platinum: a dense, naturally white metal.
- Rhodium plating: a thin white coating often used on white gold.
- Alloy: a mixture of metals, used to give gold strength and colour.
Gemstone terms
- Cabochon: a smooth, polished, domed stone.
- Treatment: a process such as heating or oiling that improves a stone.
- Pleochroism: showing different colours from different angles.
- Origin: where a coloured stone was mined, which can affect how it is described.
Buying terms
- Bespoke: designed and made for one customer.
- Render: a realistic picture of a design before it is made.
- CAD: computer aided design, the digital model used to prepare a piece.
- Written approval: your confirmation of the design before making begins.
- Insured delivery: a delivery covered against loss or damage in transit, with tracking so you can follow the parcel.
- Import duty: a charge made by the receiving country on goods entering it, which the customer pays.
- Brokerage: a courier's fee for handling customs paperwork.
Where to go next
See diamond shapes guide, engagement ring setting types and diamond report cheat sheet. Browse diamonds.
Nothing is made until you approve the design in writing, and our standard making time is 5 to 6 weeks, which can vary with your location and how busy we are. Pieces start from £600.
Frequently asked questions
What matters most in a diamond? It depends on your priorities, and cut strongly affects sparkle.
Is carat the same as size? It is weight, so the size you see also depends on shape and cut.
Are lab grown diamonds real? Yes, and we label each clearly.
Can you explain a term I cannot find here? Ask us and we explain it in plain English.