Glossary
This comprehensive glossary encompasses a diverse array of terms in the realm of antique jewellery, gemstones, historical eras, and industry jargon, offering valuable knowledge for both collectors and enthusiasts.
A
Amethyst Jewellery: Features the purple gemstone amethyst, known for its calming properties.
Aquamarine Jewellery: Showcases the blue-green gemstone aquamarine, symbolizing serenity.
Art Deco Jewellery: Characterized by bold, geometric patterns reflecting the Art Deco era.
Art Nouveau Jewellery: Displays flowing, natural forms, echoing the Art Nouveau movement.
Abalone Shell: Iridescent material from abalone shells, used for decorative purposes in jewellery.
Alloy: A blend of metals used to enhance the strength, color, and durability of jewellery.
Amulet: Protective or lucky charm jewellery, believed to ward off evil.
Antique Jewellery: Refers to jewellery over 100 years old, valued for its historical significance.
Assay Office Marks: Marks indicating metal purity, certified by an assay office.
Articulated Jewellery: Features movable joints, allowing for dynamic movement and flexibility.
Agate: Banded chalcedony, often used for its striking patterns in jewellery.
Articulated Bracelet: Bracelet with hinged links, offering elegance through flexibility.
Acrostic Jewellery: Gemstones arranged to spell messages, revealing hidden sentiments.
Akoya Pearls: High-luster pearls from the Akoya oyster, prized for their perfect round shape.
Antique Cut Diamonds: Diamonds with cuts from a bygone era, offering a unique brilliance.
Asymmetrical Jewellery: Designs that deliberately eschew balance for a modern aesthetic.
Antique Rose Cut Diamond: Features a flat base and triangular facets, embodying antique charm.
Ancient Jewellery: Artifacts from ancient civilizations, rich in historical and cultural significance.
Amber: Fossilized tree resin, valued for its warm hues and natural beauty.
Aventurine: Quartz with shimmering inclusions, often used for its sparkling effect.
Amazonite: Greenish-blue gemstone favored for its soothing color and semi-opaque quality.
Articulated Earrings: Earrings with sections that move independently, adding an element of intrigue.
Antique Finish: A treatment giving jewellery an aged look, enhancing its vintage appeal.
Angel Skin Coral: Pale pink coral, sought after for its delicate color and rarity.
Alexandrite: Color-changing gemstone, prized for its ability to look different under various lighting.
Armband: Ornamental band worn around the arm, often as a statement piece.
B
Bangle Bracelet: A rigid, slip-on bracelet, often stacked with others for a layered look.
Baroque Pearls: Uniquely shaped pearls, celebrated for their irregular beauty.
Belcher Chain: Chain with round or oval links of uniform width, known for its durability.
Blue Enamel: Glass-like decorative coating, adding a vibrant blue hue to jewellery.
Bezel Setting: A metal rim encircles the gemstone, securing it in place.
Baguette Cut: A rectangular gemstone cut, often used as accents for its elegant simplicity.
Birthstone Jewellery: Features gemstones corresponding to one's birth month, symbolizing personal significance.
Brooch: A decorative pin, used as an accessory or to fasten pieces of clothing.
Butterfly Back: A securing mechanism for stud earrings, shaped like butterfly wings.
Blue Topaz Jewellery: Showcases blue topaz gemstones, known for their clear, azure color.
Bloodstone: Dark green gemstone with red speckles, often used in signet rings and masculine jewellery.
Box Chain: Comprised of square links, creating a smooth, uniform chain.
Bead Setting: Small gemstones are secured with tiny metal beads, offering a paved look.
Black Onyx Jewellery: Features the sleek, black gemstone onyx, known for its bold presence.
Bamboo Coral: Coral with a segmented appearance, often dyed red and used as an affordable alternative to precious coral.
Beryl Jewellery: Includes gemstones like emerald and aquamarine, celebrated for their color and clarity.
Brilliant Cut: A diamond cut designed for maximum light reflection and sparkle.
Baguette Diamonds: Rectangular diamonds used as accents to enhance the main gemstone's appearance.
Beads: Small, decorative objects, often strung together to make necklaces and bracelets.
Black Pearl Jewellery: Features pearls with a mysterious dark color, ranging from grey to green to purple.
Blue Sapphire Jewellery: Embodies rich, velvety blue sapphires, associated with wisdom and royalty.
Band Ring: A simple, often unadorned ring, sometimes used as a wedding band.
Base Metal: Non-precious metals used in costume jewellery or as a base for plating.
Butterfly Clasp: A securing mechanism for earrings, ensuring they stay in place.
Bar Link Bracelet: Features elongated, rectangular links, offering a modern aesthetic.
Beaded Edge: Decorative detail on jewellery edges, resembling a string of tiny beads.
C
Cameo Brooch: A brooch featuring a raised (relief) profile image, often carved from shell or stone.
Cartouche: An oval with a horizontal line at one end, imitating ancient Egyptian hieroglyphs, symbolizing royal or divine names.
Citrine Jewellery: Showcases citrine, a sunny yellow to orange quartz, symbolizing joy and abundance.
Claddagh Ring: Represents love (heart), friendship (hands), and loyalty (crown); originating from Ireland.
Cluster Ring: A ring adorned with a group of gemstones clustered together for a dazzling effect.
Coral Jewellery: Utilizes coral, often red or pink, revered for its natural beauty and oceanic origins.
Crown Setting: Features prongs that extend to form a 'crown' around the gemstone, enhancing its prominence.
Chain Necklace: A versatile piece, consisting of interconnected links, customizable with pendants.
Cabochon Cut: A gemstone polished into a smooth, rounded shape without facets, highlighting its natural beauty.
Ceylon Sapphire: Refers to sapphires from Sri Lanka, celebrated for their exceptional quality and vibrant color.
Cravat Pin: A decorative pin designed to secure the folds of a cravat or tie, adding an element of sophistication.
Chandelier Earrings: Earrings with cascading tiers, resembling a chandelier, often used to make a statement.
Cameo Necklace: Features a cameo pendant, offering a classic and timeless appeal.
Curb Chain: Comprises uniformly sized links that have been twisted and often diamond-cut, for a reflective finish.
Chrysoprase: A bright green gemstone, valued for its color and translucency.
Chrysoberyl: A durable gemstone, ranging in color from yellow to greenish-yellow, known for its hardness.
Crown Jewels: Historically significant pieces worn by royalty, embodying the nation's heritage and prestige.
Cuff Bracelet: A broad bracelet that wraps around the wrist, often making a bold fashion statement.
Cushion Cut: A square or rectangular gemstone cut with rounded corners and large facets, maximizing its brilliance.
Cross Pendant: Often worn as a symbol of faith, featuring the Christian cross.
Channel Setting: Gemstones are set between parallel metal channels, offering a sleek and modern look.
Crystal Jewellery: Utilizes clear quartz crystals, celebrated for their clarity and purported healing properties.
Cameo Ring: Features a cameo, offering a vintage or antique aesthetic.
Cabochon Amethyst: Amethyst cut in a smooth, domed shape to highlight its purple color.
Choker Necklace: A tightly fitting necklace worn around the neck, often made of velvet, beads, or metal.
Cluster Pendant: A pendant adorned with a group of closely set gemstones, creating a dazzling focal point.
Camphor Glass: Frosted glass used in Art Deco jewellery, giving a mystical, ethereal appearance.
Chain Link Bracelet: Composed of various links, customizable and versatile.
Crown Pearl: A pearl with a unique shape, often used in regal or elaborate pieces.
Chasing: A technique used to detail metal surfaces with hammered tools, creating intricate patterns.
D
Deco Jewellery: Emphasizes the Art Deco era's love for sharp geometric shapes and symmetrical designs.
Demantoid Garnet: A rare green garnet, prized for its brilliance and fire.
Dress Clip: A versatile accessory that can adorn dresses, lapels, or scarves, often richly decorated.
Diamond Earrings: Earrings featuring diamonds, ranging from simple studs to elaborate drops.
Diadem: A ceremonial headband or crown, denoting royalty or high status.
Drop Earrings: Feature gemstones or designs that hang below the earlobe, adding movement and elegance.
Dog Collar Necklace: A wide, choker-style necklace, often embellished with beads or lace, popularized in the Edwardian era.
Dog Tags: Originally military identification tags, now often used in fashion jewellery.
Donut Pendant: Features a circular, ring-shaped design, often embracing simplicity and symbolism.
Dangle Earrings: Similar to drop earrings, with more movement and often multiple hanging elements.
Duette: A versatile brooch that can be detached into two separate pieces, often featuring intricate designs.
Diamond Ring: A ring featuring diamonds, symbolizing commitment and luxury.
Diamond Tennis Bracelet: A bracelet adorned with a row of diamonds, offering timeless elegance.
Damascene Jewellery: Features intricate patterns inlaid in metal, showcasing artistic craftsmanship.
Dome Ring: A ring with a prominent, rounded top, often adorned with gemstones or intricate designs.
Drop Necklace: Features a pendant or element that hangs significantly lower than the collarbone, drawing attention.
Day and Night Earrings: Convertible earrings that can be adjusted for day or evening wear, offering versatility.
Demi-Parure: A matching set of jewellery, usually consisting of two or three pieces, such as earrings and a necklace.
Diamond Solitaire: A ring with a single diamond, symbolizing elegance and simplicity.
Diamond Cluster Ring: Features a cluster of diamonds designed to maximize sparkle, often resembling a larger stone.
E
Edwardian Jewellery: Characterized by elegant designs from the Edwardian era, often featuring lace-like patterns.
Emerald Cut: A rectangular gemstone cut with parallel facets, emphasizing clarity and color.
Etruscan Revival: Jewellery inspired by ancient Etruscan designs, known for granulation and intricate metalwork.
Enamelled Jewellery: Features a glass-like coating, available in various colors, for decorative purposes.
Engraved Jewellery: Embellished with carved designs or messages, adding a personal touch.
Etruscan Style Bracelet: Inspired by ancient Etruscan craftsmanship, featuring detailed gold work.
Ethnic Jewellery: Reflects the cultural heritage and traditional designs of a specific ethnicity or region.
Estate Jewellery: Pre-owned jewellery, often vintage or antique, with a history of previous ownership.
Emerald Ring: Features the green gemstone emerald, associated with rebirth and love.
Engagement Ring: Symbolizes a promise of marriage, traditionally featuring a diamond or other gemstone.
Earrings: Decorative pieces worn on the earlobes or cartilage, available in a myriad of styles and designs.
En Tremblant: A setting that allows parts of the jewellery to tremble or move, enhancing sparkle and interest.
Edwardian Revival: Jewellery that revisits the elegance and sophistication of the Edwardian era.
Etched Metal: Features designs or patterns etched into the metal, adding texture and depth.
Ebony Jewellery: Made from the dark, dense wood of the ebony tree, often used in tribal or ethnic jewellery.
Enamel Work: The application of colored enamel to create decorative patterns or scenes on metal.
Exquisite Jewellery: High-quality, finely crafted pieces known for their beauty and intricacy.
Ethnic Beads: Beads reflecting the materials, colors, and techniques of specific cultural traditions.
Expansion Bracelet: A flexible bracelet that stretches to fit over the hand, often vintage in style.
Emerald Cut Diamond: A diamond cut in a rectangular shape with cut corners, highlighting its clarity.
Edwardian Style Necklace: A necklace reflecting the delicate and ornate designs of the Edwardian era.
Ear Cuff: A decorative piece that clips onto the outer ear, requiring no piercings.
F
Filigree Ring: Features intricate, lace-like metalwork, often with a vintage appeal.
French Jet Jewellery: Imitation jet made from glass, popular in Victorian mourning jewellery.
Fabergé Egg: Highly decorative eggs created by the House of Fabergé, renowned for their intricate craftsmanship.
Figural Brooch: A brooch shaped like a figure or object, often detailed and whimsical.
Freshwater Pearls: Pearls cultivated in freshwater, valued for their variety of shapes and colors.
Foil Backed: A technique where gemstones are backed with foil to enhance their color and brilliance.
Festoon Necklace: Features draped chains or elements, reminiscent of garlands, adding elegance.
Fringe Earrings: Earrings with dangling strands, mimicking the appearance of fringe for a dynamic look.
Fede Ring: A ring featuring clasped hands, symbolizing faith, trust, or betrothal.
Floral Motif: Jewellery featuring flower designs, often symbolizing growth, beauty, or femininity.
Fire Opal: A type of opal with a fiery red, orange, or yellow color, known for its vibrant hue.
Fede Bracelet: A bracelet with clasped hand designs, echoing the symbolism of the fede ring.
Filigree Pendant: Features delicate metalwork, often with a vintage or antique aesthetic.
Flapper Necklace: A long necklace popular in the 1920s, typically worn draped or knotted.
Fancy Cut Diamonds: Diamonds cut in non-traditional shapes, such as marquise, pear, or heart, offering unique beauty.
Floral Spray Brooch: A brooch with a design resembling a bouquet or cluster of flowers, often detailed.
Fraternal Order Jewellery: Worn by members of specific fraternal organizations, featuring emblematic symbols.
Feather Jewellery: Incorporates feathers for a natural or bohemian look, often used in tribal or ethnic designs.
Floating Diamond Pendant: Features a diamond set so that it appears to float within the setting.
French Rope Chain: A chain made of twisted links, creating a spiral effect, known for its strength and elegance.
Fan Earrings: Earrings with a fan-like design, often embodying Art Deco style with their geometric shapes.
Floral Tiara: A headpiece adorned with floral designs, symbolizing beauty and nature.
Fossilised Coral: Coral that has become petrified or turned into stone, often used for its unique patterns.
Filigree Engagement Ring: An engagement ring featuring intricate metalwork, often with a romantic, vintage appeal.
G
Garnet Jewellery: Showcases garnets, available in various colors, symbolizing protection and strength.
Georgian Jewellery: Reflects the elegance of the Georgian era, known for its handcrafted detail and use of precious stones.
Gold Rush Jewellery: Created during historic gold rushes, often incorporating raw gold nuggets or flakes.
Gemstone Cabochon: A gemstone cut in a smooth, rounded shape without facets, emphasizing its natural beauty.
Gemstone Inclusion: Natural imperfections within gemstones, sometimes enhancing their uniqueness and value.
Gimmel Ring: Consists of two or more interlocking bands, symbolizing union or friendship.
Gold Vermeil: Sterling silver coated with a thick layer of gold, offering an affordable alternative to solid gold.
Gemstone Earrings: Earrings adorned with various gemstones, showcasing a spectrum of colors and styles.
Gemstone Parure: A complete set of matching jewellery featuring the same gemstones, exuding elegance and unity.
Gemstone Pendant: A pendant focusing on a singular gemstone, often serving as the centerpiece.
Garnet Necklace: A necklace featuring garnets, known for their rich red color and versatility.
Gemstone Setting: The method by which gemstones are secured in jewellery, such as prong, bezel, or pave settings.
Gemstone Solitaire: A single, prominent gemstone set in a piece of jewellery, highlighting its beauty.
Green Gold: An alloy of gold mixed with silver or cadmium, resulting in a subtle green hue.
Guilloché Enamel: A decorative technique where metal is engraved with precise, intricate patterns before being enameled.
Gold Foil: Thin layers of gold applied to jewellery or gemstones to enhance their appearance.
Gypsy Setting: A setting where the gemstone is flush with the surface of the metal, offering a sleek, modern look.
Gemstone Tiara: A ceremonial headpiece adorned with various gemstones, symbolizing royalty and elegance.
Glass Beads: Beads made from glass, offering a wide range of colors and designs, used in various jewellery pieces.
Goldsmith: An artisan skilled in working with gold and creating jewellery.
Graduated Necklace: A necklace with beads or elements that gradually increase in size, often leading to a central focal point.
Garment Clip: A clip used to fasten or adorn clothing, often decorative and functional.
H
Hallmarks: Marks stamped on jewellery to indicate metal purity, origin, and maker's identity.
Hatpin: A long pin used historically to secure hats to the hair, often ornate and decorative.
Heart-Shaped Locket: A locket in the shape of a heart, traditionally used to hold photographs or mementos.
Herringbone Chain: A flat, v-shaped link chain that resembles the bones of a herring fish, known for its sleek look.
Half-Hoop Earrings: Earrings that resemble a hoop but only extend halfway around the earlobe.
High Relief: A sculptural technique where the design stands out prominently from the background.
Haute Couture Jewellery: High fashion jewellery known for its bespoke, avant-garde designs.
Half-Eternity Ring: A ring with gemstones set halfway around the band, symbolizing everlasting love.
Hair Jewellery: Jewellery made from or incorporating human hair, often used in mourning jewellery.
Hexagon Cut Gemstone: A gemstone cut into a hexagonal shape, offering a modern, geometric appearance.
Hatpin Holder: A container used to store hatpins, often decorative and made of porcelain or metal.
Heart-Shaped Pendant: A pendant in the shape of a heart, symbolizing love and affection.
Hinged Bracelet: A bracelet that opens with a hinge, allowing for easy wear.
Hairpin: A decorative pin used to secure hairstyles, sometimes embellished with gemstones or beads.
Halo Setting: A setting where the central gemstone is surrounded by a "halo" of smaller stones, enhancing its appearance.
Hidden Clasp: A clasp designed to be invisible or concealed within the jewellery piece, maintaining aesthetic continuity.
Hexagon Pendant: A pendant with a hexagonal shape, offering a clean, geometric design.
Hessonite Garnet: A variety of garnet with a cinnamon or orange color, known for its warm hues.
Horseshoe Pin: A pin in the shape of a horseshoe, traditionally considered a symbol of good luck.
Hunting Jewellery: Jewellery featuring motifs related to hunting, often including animals, guns, or horns.
I
Intaglio Jewellery: Features engraved or carved designs sunk below the surface of the material, often used in signet rings.
Inclusion Jewellery: Emphasizes the natural inclusions within gemstones, celebrating their unique beauty.
Incised: Features designs or patterns carved into the surface of the material, adding texture and depth.
Inlaid Jewellery: Incorporates pieces of material set into the surface of the jewellery, creating detailed patterns or images.
Imitation Pearls: Artificial pearls made from glass, plastic, or organic materials, designed to mimic the look of genuine pearls.
Initial Jewellery: Adorned with initials or monograms, personalizing the piece for the wearer.
Industrial Jewellery: Inspired by industrial motifs, such as gears, bolts, and metallic textures, reflecting a modern aesthetic.
Insignia Ring: A ring featuring a symbol, crest, or emblem, often associated with a family, organization, or achievement.
Invisibly Set Diamonds: Diamonds set close together without visible metal between them, creating a seamless surface of brilliance.
Inverted Stone: A gemstone set upside down, showcasing its pavilion (the bottom part of the stone) for a unique effect.
Iridescent: Exhibits shifting rainbow-like colors when viewed from different angles, often seen in opals and mother-of-pearl.
Iolite: A gemstone with a violet-blue color, sometimes referred to as "water sapphire" for its appearance.
Infinity Symbol: Often used in jewellery to represent eternity, endless love, or continuity.
Ivory Jewellery: Made from the tusks of elephants or teeth of other animals, now largely banned due to conservation efforts.
Inlaid Opal: Features opal pieces set into the surface of the jewellery, highlighting the stone's play-of-color.
Inlay Work: The process of setting pieces of material into depressions in a base object, creating decorative patterns.
Imperial Topaz: A type of topaz with a reddish-orange to pink color, considered the most valuable.
Illusion Setting: A setting technique designed to make the central stone appear larger by surrounding it with smaller stones.
Ivy Leaf Design: Features ivy leaf motifs, symbolizing fidelity and eternal love.
Inverted Pendant: A pendant where the main element is designed to point upwards, often creating a unique visual interest.
Intricate Filigree: Features highly detailed, lace-like metalwork, showcasing the artistry of the jeweler.
Inset Gemstones: Gemstones set flush within the surface of the jewellery, offering a sleek, contemporary look.
Indian Jewellery: Reflects the rich heritage and craftsmanship of India, often featuring vibrant gemstones and elaborate designs.
Imitation Gemstones: Synthetic or man-made stones designed to replicate the appearance of natural gemstones.
Initial Pendant: A pendant featuring a letter or initials, personalizing the jewellery piece.
Intaglio Signet Ring: A ring with a carved design set below the surface, traditionally used for sealing wax.
J
Jadeite Jade: A highly valued form of jade, known for its vibrant green color and translucency.
Jet Jewellery: Made from fossilized wood, jet is a black, lightweight material popular in Victorian mourning jewellery.
Japanned Metal: Metal treated to have a black lacquer finish, often used as a backdrop for colorful enamels or as a contrast to brighter metals.
Je t'aime: French for "I love you," often inscribed on romantic jewellery pieces.
Jasper: A durable, opaque gemstone available in a variety of colors, known for its earthy and natural patterns.
Jet Brooch: A mourning brooch made from jet, popular in the Victorian era for its somber beauty.
Jeweller's Loupe: A small magnifying tool used by jewellers to examine the details and imperfections of gemstones.
Jewellery Box: A storage container for jewellery, designed to protect and organize pieces when not in use.
Jade Bracelet: A bracelet made from jade, valued for its beauty and cultural significance, especially in Asian traditions.
Jewellery Appraisal: The process of evaluating and determining the market value of jewellery, often for insurance purposes.
Jade Ring: A ring featuring jade, known for its protective qualities and smooth, polished appearance.
Jump Ring: A small ring used in jewellery making to connect components, such as charms to bracelets or pendants to chains.
Jelly Opal: A type of opal with a translucent to semi-transparent body, showcasing vibrant play-of-color.
Jewish Jewellery: Jewellery incorporating symbols and themes of Jewish faith and culture, such as the Star of David or Hamsa.
Jasper Necklace: A necklace featuring jasper beads or pendants, prized for their unique colorations and patterns.
Jewellery Repair: The process of fixing broken or damaged jewellery, restoring it to its original condition.
Jade Earrings: Earrings made with jade, often carved or polished to highlight the stone's natural beauty.
Jade Pendant: A pendant featuring jade, commonly used in designs that reflect Asian art and symbolism.
Jet Necklace: A necklace made from jet, embodying the Victorian era's fascination with mourning jewellery.
Jewellery Scale: A precision tool used to measure the weight of jewellery, crucial for valuing gold and gemstones.
Jelly Opal Ring: A ring showcasing jelly opal, known for its translucency and mesmerizing color play.
K
Keshi Pearls: Pearls formed without a nucleus, resulting in unique shapes and lustrous surfaces, often used in modern pearl jewellery.
Key Necklace: A necklace featuring a key pendant, symbolizing unlocking new opportunities or safeguarding secrets.
Knot Motif: A design element in jewellery symbolizing love, commitment, and the interconnectedness of life.
Knotwork Jewellery: Jewellery featuring intricate knot designs, often inspired by Celtic art and symbolism.
Kundan Jewellery: Traditional Indian jewellery made with a technique of setting precious stones in gold, known for its elaborate craftsmanship.
Knot Earrings: Earrings designed with knot motifs, symbolizing strength and continuity.
Kimono Clasp: A decorative fastener used on traditional Japanese kimonos, occasionally repurposed into unique jewellery pieces.
Keepsake Jewellery: Jewellery designed to hold or conceal personal mementos, such as lockets or poison rings.
Knot Necklace: A necklace featuring knots, either as a decorative element or as part of the chain design, embodying unity and connection.
Kundan Necklace: A necklace crafted using the Kundan technique, showcasing detailed settings of precious stones in gold.
Knotted Pearl Necklace: A necklace where pearls are individually knotted on a string, offering both beauty and security.
Kimono Earrings: Earrings inspired by the patterns, colors, or motifs of traditional Japanese kimonos.
Kunzite: A pink to violet gemstone, prized for its clarity and delicate color, often used in feminine jewellery designs.
Karat: A measure of gold purity, with 24 karat being pure gold. Lower karats indicate gold mixed with other metals.
Knotwork Ring: A ring featuring intricate knot designs, echoing the symbolic meaning of eternal love and connection.
Keshi Pearl Necklace: A necklace composed of keshi pearls, valued for their unique shapes and exceptional luster.
L
Locket Necklace: A necklace featuring a locket pendant, often used to hold photographs or keepsakes, symbolizing personal connections or memories.
Lapel Pin: A decorative pin worn on the lapel of a jacket, often used to signify affiliation with an organization or to add a personal touch to attire.
Lavaliere Necklace: A necklace featuring a pendant that hangs from a single chain, named after the style popularized by the Duchesse de La Vallière, a mistress of King Louis XIV.
Lapis Lazuli: A deep blue semi-precious stone with golden inclusions of pyrites, valued for its intense color and historical significance in art and jewellery.
Love Token: A piece of currency or a token that has been smoothed and engraved with initials, dates, or messages, often used as sentimental jewellery in the Victorian era.
Lizard Brooch: A brooch in the shape of a lizard, often adorned with gemstones or enamel, symbolizing regeneration and adaptability.
Lapis Lazuli Jewellery: Jewellery incorporating lapis lazuli, often in the form of beads, cabochons, or inlay work, celebrated for its rich blue hue.
Lever-Back Earrings: Earrings with a lever-back closure that secures the earring through the earlobe, combining functionality with a decorative element.
Link Bracelet: A bracelet made of interconnected links, which can vary in size, shape, and material, offering versatility in design.
Link Chain: A fundamental jewellery component consisting of series of linked loops, available in various styles such as cable, curb, or rope, serving as the foundation for necklaces and bracelets.
Locket Ring: A ring with a small compartment or locket feature, capable of holding a tiny memento or photograph, echoing the sentimental jewellery trends of the Victorian era.
Lapis Lazuli Earrings: Earrings featuring lapis lazuli, either as the central gemstone or accent, prized for its striking blue color and golden flecks.
Layered Necklace: A necklace consisting of multiple strands or layers, which may vary in length and style, often combined to create a rich, textured look.
Leaf Brooch: A brooch designed in the shape of a leaf or multiple leaves, possibly incorporating materials like metal, enamel, or gemstones to mimic the natural beauty of foliage.
Locket Pendant: A pendant that opens to reveal a space for personal keepsakes or photographs, often heart-shaped or oval, symbolizing love and remembrance.
Lavender Jade: A type of jade characterized by its soft lavender color, often associated with spiritual healing and purity in Eastern cultures.
Latch Back Earrings: Earrings featuring a hinged latch mechanism that securely closes behind the ear, combining the security of a post closure with the elegance of a hoop design.
M
Mourning Jewellery: Jewellery worn to commemorate and mourn the loss of a loved one, often incorporating symbols of death such as skulls, black enamel, or hair of the deceased.
Marcasite Jewellery: Jewellery adorned with marcasite, a mineral resembling metallic pyrite, often used to provide a vintage or antique look with its subtle metallic luster.
Malachite: A vibrant green mineral used in jewellery for its striking banded patterns and rich color, often polished for cabochons or ornamental objects.
Memento Mori Jewellery: Literally meaning "remember you must die," this type of jewellery is designed to remind the wearer of their mortality, often featuring skulls, skeletons, and hourglasses.
Millefiori Glass: A glasswork technique producing distinctive decorative patterns by fusing multiple canes of colored glass, often used in beads and decorative inlays.
Mosaic Jewellery: Jewellery featuring small pieces of glass, stone, or other materials arranged in a pattern, reminiscent of ancient and Renaissance mosaics.
Marcasite Ring: A ring set with marcasite stones, offering an antique look that mimics the sparkle of diamonds at a more affordable price.
Moonstone Jewellery: Jewellery featuring moonstone, a gem known for its adularescence or billowy light effect, often associated with femininity and intuition.
Mourning Brooch: A brooch specifically designed for mourning, incorporating black materials like jet, onyx, or black enamel, and sometimes including the initials or hair of the deceased.
Masonic Jewellery: Jewellery associated with the Freemasons, often featuring symbols like the square and compasses, meant to signify the wearer's affiliation with the fraternity.
Mesh Bracelet: A flexible bracelet made from interwoven metal strands, creating a mesh-like texture that is both elegant and comfortable.
Mother-of-Pearl: The iridescent inner layer of mollusk shells, used in jewellery for its lustrous sheen, often cut into beads or used as inlay.
Monogram Jewellery: Jewellery featuring the initials of a person's name, often intertwined in a decorative design, personalized for the wearer.
Milgrain Edge: A decorative technique where tiny bead-like details are added to the edges of metal in jewellery, giving a piece a refined, vintage appearance.
Minaudières: Small, ornate cases used as evening bags or clutches, often elaborately decorated with jewels, metalwork, or enamel, serving both as a fashion statement and a functional item.
Mourning Ring: A ring worn in memory of someone who has died, often inscribed with the deceased's name, date of death, or a sentimental message, and made from or featuring black materials.
Micro Mosaic Brooch: A brooch adorned with micro mosaics, a technique involving the assembly of tiny pieces of colored glass or stones to create intricate designs, often inspired by Italian art.
Marquise Cut: A gemstone cut into an elongated shape with pointed ends, also known as the "navette" cut, maximizing the stone's carat weight and perceived size.
Malachite Necklace: A necklace featuring malachite stones, known for their deep green color and natural banding, often cut into beads or cabochons for statement pieces.
Masonic Ring: A ring bearing symbols of Freemasonry, such as the square and compasses, often worn by members as a sign of their affiliation and commitment to the fraternity's values.
Mesh Earrings: Earrings made from a fine mesh of metal, offering a lightweight and intricate design that can range from subtle to statement-making.
Mother-of-Pearl Earrings: Earrings featuring mother-of-pearl, known for its soft, iridescent sheen, often used in designs that highlight its natural beauty and luster.
Motif Jewellery: Jewellery that incorporates a specific theme or design element, such as animals, flowers, or geometric shapes, often used to convey a particular meaning or personal interest.
Milanese Chain: A type of chain characterized by its smooth, tightly woven links that create a flexible and luxurious texture, often used for watchbands or sleek bracelets.
Masonic Pendant: A pendant featuring symbols associated with Freemasonry, often worn by members to signify their involvement and dedication to the organization's principles.
Natural Pearl: A pearl formed spontaneously in the wild without human intervention, prized for its rarity and unique characteristics compared to cultured pearls.
Novelty Brooch: A brooch designed in a playful or whimsical shape, such as animals, flowers, or objects, adding a fun and personal touch to an outfit.
Nephrite Jade Necklace: A necklace made from nephrite jade, a type of jade valued for its toughness and range of colors from green to white to black, often carved or polished for decorative use.
Necklace Clasp: The mechanism used to open and close a necklace, available in various styles such as lobster claws, spring rings, or toggles, ensuring the necklace's security and ease of wear.
Nubian Earrings: Earrings inspired by Nubian culture or art, often characterized by bold designs, geometric shapes, and the use of gold and colorful gemstones, reflecting the richness of Nubian heritage.
Niello Bracelet: A bracelet featuring niello, a black mixture used to fill engraved designs on metal, creating striking contrast and detailed patterns, often seen in traditional and historical jewellery.
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Opal Doublet: A composite stone consisting of a slice of opal adhered to a backing material, designed to enhance the opal's color and make it more durable for use in jewellery.
Onyx: A semi-precious stone, typically black, used in jewellery for its sleek, polished appearance and believed to offer protective qualities.
Oxidised Silver: Silver that has been chemically treated to create a darkened, antique finish, enhancing the depth and detail of jewellery designs.
Opal Earrings: Earrings featuring opals, known for their unique play-of-color, often set in a variety of styles from studs to drops.
Organic Jewellery: Jewellery made from natural materials such as wood, bone, or seeds, often emphasizing the beauty of the natural world and sustainable practices.
Onyx Ring: A ring featuring onyx, commonly set in both modern and traditional designs, valued for its bold color and durability.
Omega Chain: A necklace chain consisting of smooth, interconnected metal plates or segments, offering a reflective and flexible design.
Opal Jewellery: Jewellery showcasing opals, celebrated for their dazzling array of colors and patterns, each piece unique to the individual stone.
Oxidised Silver Earrings: Earrings made from silver that has been treated to darken its surface, highlighting textures and designs for a vintage or rustic look.
Oval Cut: A gemstone cut into an oval shape, combining the brilliance of a round cut with a more unique form, flattering and versatile in various jewellery settings.
Onyx Earrings: Earrings featuring onyx, often chosen for their dramatic, elegant appearance and the stone's association with strength and protection.
Opal Pendant: A pendant centering on an opal, showcasing the stone's captivating play-of-color, often set simply to highlight its natural beauty.
Organic Pearl: Pearls that form naturally in mollusks without human intervention, each with unique shapes and textures, reflecting the beauty of nature.
Opal Ring: A ring set with an opal, prized for its mesmerizing colors and the way it diffracts light, often considered a stone of inspiration and creativity.
Oxidised Silver Pendant: A pendant made from silver that has been intentionally darkened to highlight engraved or embossed details, offering a vintage or antique appeal.
Old European Cut: A type of diamond cut popular in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, characterized by its round shape, high crown, small table, and large culet, known for its distinctive sparkle.
Opalescent: Describes materials that display a play of colors similar to that of an opal, often used in glass or gemstones to achieve a mesmerizing effect.
Oxidised Silver Ring: A ring crafted from silver that has been treated to create a dark, antique finish, emphasizing the design's textures and contrasts.
Octagon Cut Gemstone: A gemstone cut into an eight-sided shape, offering a geometric and modern alternative to traditional round or square cuts.
Opalescent Earrings: Earrings featuring materials with an opalescent quality, capturing the enchanting play of light and color reminiscent of opals.
Old European Cut Diamond: A diamond cut with a round shape, characterized by a high crown, small table, and large facets, resulting in a soft, romantic glow, distinct from the more precise brilliance of modern cuts.
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Parure: A complete set or suite of matching jewellery, typically including a necklace, earrings, a brooch, and sometimes a bracelet or ring, designed to be worn together for a coordinated look.
Plique-à-Jour Enamel: A translucent enamel technique that creates a stained-glass effect, allowing light to pass through, often used in Art Nouveau jewellery to mimic the delicate nature of wings or leaves.
Pansy Design: A jewellery motif featuring pansies, often symbolizing thoughts or remembrance, popular in Victorian times and revived in various art movements.
Platinum: A precious metal prized for its rarity, durability, and natural white luster, often used in high-end jewellery for its ability to securely hold diamonds and other gemstones.
Peridot: A green gemstone known for its bright, olive to lime hues, associated with lightness and beauty, often used in summer jewellery collections.
Photo Locket: A locket designed to hold a small photograph, allowing the wearer to keep a personal memento or loved one close to their heart.
Poison Ring: A ring with a secret compartment, historically used to hold poison, pills, or mementos, now a novelty or symbolic jewellery piece.
Pearl Necklace: A timeless jewellery piece featuring a string of pearls, often associated with elegance and sophistication, suitable for various occasions from formal to casual.
Pavé Setting: A setting technique where small gemstones are set closely together, secured with minimal metal to create a surface that appears to be paved with stones, enhancing sparkle.
Princess Cut: A modern diamond cut with a square or rectangular shape and sharp corners, known for its brilliance and contemporary appeal.
Peridot Earrings: Earrings featuring peridot gemstones, offering a vibrant pop of green color, suitable for adding a fresh, lively touch to any outfit.
Pendant Watch: A decorative and functional piece, combining the charm of a pendant with the utility of a watch, often featuring intricate designs or engravings.
Porcelain Jewellery: Jewellery incorporating porcelain elements, known for its delicate beauty and often hand-painted with intricate designs, blending artistry with adornment.
Pearl Ring: A ring featuring pearls, either as a solitary gemstone or accompanied by other stones, offering a blend of classic elegance and modern design.
Pearl Earrings: Earrings adorned with pearls, ranging from simple studs to elaborate drops, versatile enough for everyday wear and special occasions.
Plique-à-Jour Pendant: A pendant showcasing the plique-à-jour enamel technique, allowing light to shine through, creating a luminous effect reminiscent of miniature stained glass.
Pocket Watch: A portable timepiece designed to be carried in a pocket, often attached to a chain, reflecting a bygone era of craftsmanship and elegance.
Pearl Pendant: A pendant centered around a pearl, often set in gold or silver, offering a focal point that combines simplicity with timeless beauty.
Pearl Bracelet: A bracelet made of pearls, either in a single strand or multiple layers, encapsulating classic charm and versatility.
Platinum Ring: A ring made of platinum, valued for its strength, hypoallergenic properties, and subtle luster, making it an ideal choice for engagement rings and wedding bands.
Pearl Brooch: A brooch adorned with pearls, often used to accessorize coats, scarves, or hats, adding a touch of elegance and refinement.
Pavé Earrings: Earrings featuring the pavé setting, where small diamonds or gemstones are set closely together, creating a dazzling, textured surface.
Pavé Bracelet: A bracelet utilizing the pavé setting technique, ensuring maximum sparkle and a luxurious feel, suitable for both casual and formal wear.
Platinum Pendant: A pendant crafted from platinum, often chosen for its durability and natural white sheen, enhancing the brilliance of accompanying gemstones.
Persian Turquoise: Turquoise of high quality, typically originating from Iran (formerly Persia), noted for its vibrant, sky-blue color without the presence of webbing or matrix, highly sought after in fine jewellery.
Pinchbeck Jewellery: An alloy of copper and zinc, used in the 18th and 19th centuries as a gold substitute, allowing for affordable yet stylish costume jewellery.
Pearl Necklace Set: A coordinated set including a pearl necklace and often matching earrings, embodying classic elegance and simplicity.
Polki Diamonds: Diamonds that are uncut or minimally processed, retaining their natural shape, often featured in traditional Indian jewellery for their rustic beauty.
Poison Locket: Similar to a poison ring, a locket or pendant with a hidden compartment, once used for carrying poison, now often holds perfume or keepsakes.
Pearl and Diamond Necklace: A necklace combining pearls with diamonds, blending the soft luster of pearls with the sparkling brilliance of diamonds, suitable for luxurious and elegant occasions.
Poinçon: The French word for hallmark, referring to the official stamps or marks on precious metal jewellery that indicate its purity, origin, and authenticity.
Platinum Earrings: Earrings made entirely of platinum, favored for their durability and hypoallergenic properties, often set with diamonds or other precious stones for added elegance.
Platinum Bracelet: A bracelet crafted from platinum, offering a luxurious and durable option for fine jewellery, appreciated for its understated elegance and resistance to tarnish.
Pâte de Verre: A glasswork technique where crushed glass is packed into a mold and then fused in a kiln, resulting in a translucent and richly colored piece, often used in decorative jewellery.
Pearl and Diamond Ring: A ring featuring both pearls and diamonds, combining the gentle glow of pearls with the bright sparkle of diamonds, suitable for engagements, weddings, or as a statement piece.
Pearl and Diamond Earrings: Earrings that incorporate both pearls and diamonds, offering a sophisticated blend of textures and luminosity, perfect for special occasions or as heirloom pieces.
Pearl Drop Necklace: A necklace featuring pearls arranged in a drop or pendant style, often used to accentuate the neckline with elegance and grace.
Pearl and Diamond Pendant: A pendant that combines the timeless beauty of pearls with the sparkling brilliance of diamonds, often designed as a focal piece for special occasions.
Poison Ring: A ring with a secret compartment historically used for carrying poison, now often a novelty piece with a hidden space for small mementos or perfumes.
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Quatrefoil Design: A decorative element with four lobes or leaves, often used in architectural and jewellery designs, symbolizing symmetry and harmony.
Quartz Jewellery: Jewellery featuring quartz, a versatile gemstone available in various colors like clear, rose, and smoky, known for its durability and abundant availability.
Queen Anne Style: Refers to jewellery designs influenced by the aesthetic of the Queen Anne period, characterized by elegance, lightness, and an emphasis on symmetry and balance.
Quatrefoil Earrings: Earrings featuring the quatrefoil motif, often seen in Gothic and Renaissance architecture, symbolizing good luck and harmony.
Quartz Necklace: A necklace adorned with quartz gemstones, showcasing the stone's natural beauty in various cuts and colors, from polished beads to faceted pendants.
Quatrefoil Ring: A ring incorporating the quatrefoil design, offering a touch of historical elegance and architectural beauty, suitable for both casual and formal wear.
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Rose Cut Diamonds: Diamonds cut in a style that resembles the petals of a rose, with a flat bottom and a domed top, designed to enhance the stone's natural brilliance in candlelight.
Retro Style Jewellery: Jewellery that harks back to the bold, colorful, and innovative designs of the mid-20th century, often featuring large gemstones, geometric shapes, and a mix of metals.
Rhinestone Jewellery: Jewellery adorned with rhinestones, faceted glass to simulate diamonds, offering an affordable option for sparkling, decorative pieces.
Repousse: A metalworking technique where the metal is shaped or ornamented with raised designs, achieved by hammering from the reverse side to create a relief.
Red Coral: Coral with a distinctive red color, often used in jewellery for its vivid hue and organic shapes, symbolizing protection and good fortune in various cultures.
Ribbon Bow Design: A jewellery motif featuring bows, symbolizing femininity and romance, often used in Victorian jewellery and revived in various fashion eras.
Rope Chain: A chain made of twisted metal segments, resembling a rope, known for its strength, texture, and versatility in jewellery design.
Rivière Necklace: A classic necklace style featuring a single strand of gemstones of the same general size and cut, designed to showcase the stones' brilliance and uniformity.
Regard Ring: A ring with gemstones whose initial letters spell out the word "regard," as a covert message of affection, popular in the Victorian era.
Ruby Jewellery: Jewellery featuring rubies, precious stones known for their deep red color and association with passion, protection, and prosperity.
Rose Gold: An alloy of gold tinted with copper to achieve a warm, pinkish hue, offering a softer alternative to yellow or white gold in jewellery design.
Rutilated Quartz: Quartz containing needle-like inclusions of rutile, valued for its unique appearance and often used in jewellery for its intriguing visual texture.
Ribbon Bow Earrings: Earrings designed to mimic the shape of a ribbon bow, embodying sweetness and elegance, often adorned with gemstones or made of precious metals.
Rolled Gold: A type of gold plating that bonds a layer of gold to a base metal, offering a gold appearance at a lower cost, used in both vintage and contemporary jewellery.
Rope Bracelet: A bracelet made to resemble a rope, often crafted from twisted metal or fibers, symbolizing strength and continuity.
Regard Pendant: A pendant with gemstones spelling out "regard," serving as a token of affection and esteem, echoing the sentimental jewellery of the Victorian era.
Ruby Ring: A ring set with a ruby, the birthstone for July, symbolizing love, energy, and passion, often featured in engagement rings and fine jewellery.
Rose Gold Earrings: Earrings made from rose gold, favored for their warm, flattering color, suitable for a variety of skin tones and styles.
Retro Style Brooch: A brooch reflecting the flamboyant and bold design trends of the Retro period, often featuring large gemstones, whimsical shapes, and bright colors.
Rose Cut Diamond Earrings: Earrings adorned with rose cut diamonds, showcasing the cut's unique charm and soft, diffused sparkle, reminiscent of vintage glamour.
Rolled Gold Earrings: Earrings made with a layer of gold bonded to a base metal, offering the look of solid gold at a more accessible price point, suitable for everyday wear.
Rivière Bracelet: A bracelet featuring a continuous line of similarly cut gemstones, designed to catch and reflect light, offering an elegant and timeless accessory.
Rhinestone Brooch: A decorative pin adorned with rhinestones, offering an affordable way to add sparkle and flair to an outfit, popular in costume jewellery.
Red Coral Earrings: Earrings featuring red coral, prized for its vibrant color and believed to have protective qualities, often used in Mediterranean and tribal jewellery.
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Signet Ring: A ring featuring a flat bezel often engraved with initials, a family crest, or other symbols, historically used to seal documents with wax.
Sapphire Jewellery: Jewellery featuring sapphires, gemstones known for their deep blue color but available in various hues, symbolizing wisdom and purity.
Silver Filigree: Jewellery made with delicate threads of silver, twisted and soldered together to create intricate lace-like patterns, showcasing skilled craftsmanship.
Seed Pearl: Tiny pearls used in fine jewellery, often arranged in clusters or used as delicate accents, popular in Victorian and Edwardian pieces for their subtle elegance.
Sautoir Necklace: A long necklace that can be draped, knotted, or layered, popularized in the early 20th century, often featuring tassels or a pendant at the end.
Suffragette Jewellery: Jewellery worn by supporters of the women's suffrage movement, typically featuring green, white, and violet gemstones, symbolizing "Give Women Votes."
Snake Design: A motif in jewellery symbolizing wisdom, renewal, or temptation, often featured in bracelets, rings, and necklaces, with the snake biting its own tail representing eternity.
Silver Bracelet: A bracelet made from silver, offering versatility and a wide range of designs from sleek and modern to intricate and traditional.
Statement Necklace: A bold, eye-catching necklace designed to be the focal point of an outfit, often featuring large gemstones, dramatic shapes, or vibrant colors.
Seed Pearl Earrings: Earrings adorned with small, delicate seed pearls, offering a touch of vintage charm and sophistication, suitable for bridal or everyday wear.
Sautoir Pendant: A pendant designed to hang from a sautoir necklace, often elongated and embellished with gemstones or intricate details, enhancing the necklace's elegance.
Suffragette Brooch: A brooch representing the suffragette movement, featuring the movement's signature colors and often incorporating symbolic motifs like the female sign or the letter "V" for votes.
Sardonyx: A form of onyx that includes layers of sard, giving it a reddish hue, often used in cameos and intaglios for its fine contrast between layers.
Signet Bracelet: A bracelet featuring a signet element, allowing for personalization with engraved initials or family crests, echoing the tradition of signet rings.
Silver Chain: A fundamental jewellery component made from silver, offering durability and shine, suitable for wearing alone or with pendants.
Sapphire Earrings: Earrings set with sapphires, celebrated for their vibrant blue color and hardness, making them suitable for everyday wear and special occasions alike.
Star Sapphire: A type of sapphire exhibiting a star-like phenomenon known as asterism, often set in rings or pendants to highlight the star effect.
Snake Earrings: Earrings featuring snake motifs, symbolizing transformation and healing, often designed to wrap around the ear or dangle with a sinuous grace.
Silver Locket: A locket made from silver, offering a sentimental way to keep photographs or tiny keepsakes close, often engraved or embellished with gemstones.
Suffragette Pendant: A pendant embodying the colors and spirit of the suffragette movement, often featuring symbolic motifs and used as a statement of support for women's rights.
Sardonyx Earrings: Earrings featuring sardonyx, valued for its layered colors and often used in carved or cameo designs, offering a vintage appeal.
Silver Ring: A ring made from silver, offering affordability and versatility in styles from minimalist bands to ornate statement pieces.
Star Sapphire Ring: A ring showcasing a star sapphire, often set in a simple mounting to accentuate the asterism or star effect within the stone.
Snake Ring: A ring designed in the shape of a snake, symbolizing wisdom, eternity, and rebirth, often featuring gemstone eyes or detailed scaling.
Silver Pendant: A pendant crafted from silver, suitable for a range of designs from simple and sleek to intricate and detailed, offering versatility and appeal.
Tiffany Setting: A proprietary engagement ring setting by Tiffany & Co., featuring a raised diamond solitaire on six prongs, designed to maximize light reflection and enhance the stone's brilliance.
Topaz Jewellery: Jewellery adorned with topaz, a gemstone available in a spectrum of colors from blue to orange, known for its clarity and durability.
Torsade Necklace: A necklace made of twisted strands, often pearls or beads, creating a textured and voluminous effect, suitable for adding sophistication to any look.
Tassel Pendant: A pendant featuring a tassel, often made of chains or threads, adding movement and a bohemian flair to jewellery designs.
Tiara: A decorative headpiece resembling a crown, worn on formal occasions, symbolizing nobility or celebrating special events like weddings.
Trilliant Cut: A triangular gemstone cut with equal sides, known for its brilliance and unique shape, often used as a solitaire or accent stone.
Turquoise Jewellery: Jewellery featuring turquoise, a blue to green mineral prized for its color and historical significance, often associated with protection and healing.
Tiffany Brooch: A brooch crafted by Tiffany & Co., known for its high-quality materials and elegant designs, often featuring iconic motifs or innovative craftsmanship.
Tassie Ring: A ring featuring a Tassie glass paste or gemstone cameo, named after James Tassie, an 18th-century artist known for his cameo and intaglio creations.
Tanzanite Jewellery: Jewellery showcasing tanzanite, a rare blue-violet gemstone found only in Tanzania, known for its exquisite color and trichroism.
Trillion Cut Gemstone: A gemstone cut in a triangular shape, offering a modern, edgy look with its sharp angles and brilliance, suitable for contemporary jewellery designs.
Turquoise Earrings: Earrings adorned with turquoise, offering a pop of color and a connection to ancient traditions, suitable for casual and formal styles alike.
Tiffany Necklace: A necklace designed by Tiffany & Co., embodying the brand's legacy of craftsmanship and elegant design, often featuring simple, timeless motifs or bold, innovative creations.