What Is a Jewelry Glossary and Why You Need It
Welcome to the Vinca Jewelry Glossary—your curated A–Z guide to everything sparkling, sculpted, and styled in the world of fine jewelry. Whether you're exploring new types of jewelry styles, searching for the meaning behind your favorite stone, or need a little jewelry help while ring shopping, this is your go-to resource.
From timeless techniques to trending styles, understanding jewelry terms will help you appreciate the craftsmanship behind every piece—and choose yours with confidence.
This glossary is for:
1. Curious first-time buyers
2. Thoughtful gift-givers
3. Collectors and connoisseurs
4. Anyone seeking engagement ring help
5. Anyone looking to understand different jewelry materials
A
- Acrylic – A lightweight plastic material often used in fashion jewelry for bold and colorful designs. Common in Vinca’s pieces.
- Alloy – A metal made by combining two or more elements (e.g., brass = copper + zinc).
- Amulet – A charm believed to have protective powers.
- Annealing – A process of heating metal to make it softer and more workable.
- Art Deco – A jewelry style from the 1920s–30s featuring geometric patterns and symmetry.
- Art Nouveau – An early 20th-century design style with flowing lines and nature motifs.
B
- Bail – A loop at the top of a pendant that allows it to hang from a chain.
- Baroque – An irregular-shaped pearl or a decorative style that is ornate and elaborate.
- Base Metal – Non-precious metals like copper, brass, or zinc used as the core of jewelry.
- Bezel Setting – A type of gemstone setting where the stone is encircled with a metal rim.
- Birthstone – A gemstone associated with a person’s birth month.
- Brass – A durable, yellow-gold alloy made of copper and zinc.
C
- Cabochon – A gemstone polished into a smooth dome without facets.
- Carat (ct) – A unit of weight for gemstones (1 carat = 200 mg).
- Casting – A technique of shaping metal by pouring it into a mold.
- Chain Types – E.g., cable, curb, rope, snake, box – all different styles of linked metal.
- Choker – A necklace that fits tightly around the neck.
- Clasp – A fastening mechanism for necklaces or bracelets (e.g., lobster, spring ring).
- Costume Jewelry – Affordable, fashion-focused jewelry made with non-precious materials.
- Cubic Zirconia (CZ) – A popular diamond simulant made from synthetic materials.
- Cuff – A wide bracelet that typically slips onto the wrist without a clasp.
D
- Dangle Earrings – Earrings that hang below the earlobe, often with movement.
- Die-Struck – A method of stamping jewelry shapes from a metal sheet using pressure.
- Demi-Fine Jewelry – Pieces made with gold vermeil or gold-filled metals, offering luxury without the high price of fine jewelry.
E
- Electroplating – A process of coating one metal with another using electricity.
- Enamel – A colored glassy coating fused to metal surfaces for decoration.
- Engraving – Decorative carving or etching into a jewelry surface.
- Earring Back – The fastener that secures an earring (e.g., butterfly, screw-back).
F
- Facet – The flat surfaces cut into a gemstone to enhance brilliance.
- Filigree – Decorative metalwork made from fine threads of metal, often lacy or floral.
- Findings – Jewelry components like clasps, jump rings, hooks, or pins.
- Finish – The surface treatment of metal (e.g., matte, brushed, polished, hammered).
G
- Gallery – The decorative underside of a setting or ring.
- Gilding – The process of applying a thin layer of gold to another surface.
- Gold-Filled – A thick layer of gold bonded to a base metal, more durable than plating.
- Gold-Plated – A thin layer of gold electroplated onto a base metal.
- Gauge – The thickness of wire or metal sheet (lower number = thicker).
- Gemstone – A mineral or stone used in jewelry, either precious or semi-precious.
H
- Hallmark – A small stamped symbol or number indicating metal purity or origin.
- Hammered Finish – A textured surface created by hammering.
- Hardness – A measure of a material’s resistance to scratching (Mohs scale).
I
- Inlay – A technique of embedding one material into another (e.g., stone into metal).
- Iridescence – A rainbow-like effect seen in some materials (e.g., opals, pearls).
J
- Jump Ring – A small metal ring used to connect components in jewelry.
- Jeweler’s Brass – A brass alloy often used as a gold substitute in costume jewelry.
K
- Karat (K) – Indicates the purity of gold. 24K = pure gold; 14K = 58.5% gold.
- Knotted Necklace – A necklace where knots are tied between beads, often to protect pearls.
L
- Lariat – A long necklace without a clasp that loops or ties.
- Lobster Clasp – A popular, spring-loaded clasp shaped like a lobster claw.
M
- Matte Finish – A non-shiny, softly textured surface.
- Milgrain – A decorative border of tiny metal beads.
- Mixed Media – Jewelry that combines different materials like metal, acrylic, fabric, or wood.
- Mohs Scale – A scale from 1 to 10 that measures the hardness of minerals.
N
- Necklace Types – E.g., collar, choker, princess, matinee, opera, rope.
- Nickel-Free – Jewelry made without nickel, which can cause allergic reactions.
O
- Oxidized Finish – A darkened metal surface created by oxidation, often for vintage or antique looks.
- Open-Back Setting – A gemstone setting that is not closed at the back, allowing more light through.
P
- Patina – A greenish or dark surface that forms naturally or artificially on metals.
- Pendant – An ornament that hangs from a chain or necklace.
- Pierced Earrings – Earrings designed for pierced ears (vs. clip-ons).
- Plating – Applying a metal layer (e.g., gold or silver) over another metal.
- Post – The straight part of an earring that goes through the piercing.
Q
- Quartz – A common and versatile mineral used in jewelry (e.g., rose quartz, amethyst).
R
- Rhodium-Plated – Jewelry coated with rhodium (a platinum-group metal) for shine and tarnish resistance.
- Resin – A synthetic material used in statement and fashion jewelry.
- Ring Shank – The part of a ring that encircles the finger.
S
- Setting – The method used to secure a gemstone (e.g., prong, bezel, pavé).
- Silhouette – The overall shape or profile of a jewelry piece.
- Statement Jewelry – Bold, eye-catching pieces designed to stand out.
- Sterling Silver – A silver alloy containing 92.5% pure silver.
- Studs – Simple earrings that sit directly on the earlobe.
- Swarovski – A brand known for precision-cut crystal stones.
T
- Tarnish – A dulling or discoloration that occurs on metal due to oxidation.
- Tension Setting – A gemstone held in place by pressure rather than prongs or bezel.
- Toggle Clasp – A bar-and-ring fastening mechanism.
U
- Untreated Gemstone – A stone that hasn’t been enhanced by heat or chemical treatments.
V
- Vermeil – Sterling silver coated with a thick layer of gold (usually 2.5 microns).
- Vintage – Jewelry at least 20–30 years old, often collectible.
W
- Wire Wrapping – A technique using wire to create or embellish jewelry without soldering.
- White Gold – Gold alloyed with white metals like palladium and coated with rhodium.
X
- X-Link Chain – A decorative chain with X-shaped links.
Y
- Yellow Gold – Traditional gold alloy with a warm yellow tone, usually mixed with copper and silver.
Z
- Zircon – A natural gemstone, often confused with cubic zirconia but entirely different in composition.
Zinc Alloy – A common metal used in fashion jewelry for affordability and versatility.
Jewelry Terms & Materials FAQs
A jewelry glossary is a curated list of definitions for terms commonly used in the jewelry industry. It helps you understand different jewelry materials, techniques, and styles so you can make informed decisions when buying or caring for your jewelry.
Knowing basic jewelry terms—from stone settings to metal types—can help you choose pieces that align with your style, needs, and budget. It’s especially useful if you're exploring fine jewelry, personalized gifts, or need engagement ring help.
There are many types of jewelry styles, including vintage, minimalist, bohemian, art deco, modern, and statement. Our style guide breaks down how to identify and choose a style that suits your personal aesthetic.
Common jewelry materials include gold (14K, 18K), sterling silver, platinum, vermeil, stainless steel, enamel, gemstones, and pearls. You’ll find all these and more explained in our glossary entries.
Absolutely. Our glossary is a great starting point to understand engagement ring terms like solitaire, halo, pavé, and bezel. For personalized engagement ring help, check out our ring buying guide or speak to a stylist.