A little jewellery knowledge goes a long way. Curated by Katie Silver for argent + asher, this A–Z guide explains the language of fine and personalised jewellery, from antique styles to modern settings. Browse the grouped sections and keep this page handy whenever you’re choosing, customising, or caring for a piece that tells your story.
Accent Gemstones – Small stones that highlight and enhance the main gemstone in a design.
Agate – A semi-precious stone known for its distinctive layers and earthy tones.
Alexandrite – A rare gemstone that changes colour under different lighting.
Alloy – A blend of metals used to strengthen gold or silver.
Amber – Fossilised tree resin admired for its golden hues.
Amethyst – A purple quartz symbolising clarity and calm.
Amulet – A charm or pendant believed to bring protection or good luck.
Anchor Chain – A strong chain design with oval, evenly spaced links.
Antique Jewellery – Pieces over 100 years old, valued for their craftsmanship and history.
Aquamarine – A pale blue gemstone representing serenity and self-expression.
Arabic Name Necklace – A custom gold or diamond necklace featuring a name in Arabic script.
Art Deco – A design style from the 1920s–30s featuring bold geometric shapes.
Art Nouveau – A style inspired by nature, curves, and the female form.
Assay – The testing of metal purity, often indicated by a hallmark.
Atelier – A jeweller’s workshop where pieces are handmade with precision.
Bail – The loop that connects a pendant to its chain.
Band Ring – A ring with a uniform width, sometimes set with stones.
Bangle – A rigid bracelet, worn singly or stacked.
Baroque Pearl – An irregularly shaped pearl prized for its individuality.
Basket Setting – A prong setting that allows light to reach the gemstone.
Bezel Setting – A setting where a thin rim of metal encircles the stone.
Birthstone – A gemstone associated with one’s month of birth.
Blue Topaz – A radiant blue stone symbolising protection and peace.
Bracelet – A decorative piece worn around the wrist, often personalised.
Brass – A gold-coloured metal alloy of copper and zinc.
Brilliant Cut – A popular gemstone cut designed for maximum sparkle.
Brushed Finish – A soft, satin-like texture that diffuses shine.
Bespoke Design – Jewellery custom-made to your specifications and story.
Cabochon – A gemstone cut with a smooth, rounded top and flat back.
Cameo – A carved design in relief, traditionally in shell or stone.
Carat (Gemstone Weight) – The unit of weight for gemstones (1 carat = 200 mg).
Carat / Karat (Gold Purity) – A measure of gold content; 24k is pure gold.
Cathedral Setting – A raised ring design that arches elegantly toward the centre stone.
Chain – A series of linked metal loops forming necklaces and bracelets.
Channel Setting – Stones set closely in a groove with no prongs.
Charm – A miniature pendant often worn for symbolic meaning.
Choker – A short necklace sitting snugly at the neck.
Citrine – A yellow quartz symbolising joy and prosperity.
Clarity – The measure of a gemstone’s internal perfection.
Clasp – The fastening mechanism for securing necklaces or bracelets.
Cluster Setting – A group of smaller stones surrounding a central gem.
Cocktail Ring – A bold statement ring with a large gemstone.
Custom Jewellery – Jewellery made uniquely for an individual client.
Dainty Necklace – A delicate chain with a subtle pendant, ideal for layering.
Date Bracelet – A bracelet engraved with a significant date.
Diamond – The hardest natural material and the symbol of lasting love.
Diamond Setting – The technique used to secure diamonds in a design.
Dog Tag Necklace – A rectangular pendant, often engraved with initials or names.
Double Initial Necklace – A custom necklace featuring two initials intertwined.
Drop Earrings – Earrings that hang below the earlobe for elegant movement.
Design Preview – A digital or wax model shown before crafting begins.
Ear Cuff – A non-pierced earring that wraps around the ear’s edge.
Edwardian Era – Early 1900s jewellery known for filigree and delicate motifs.
Emerald – A rich green gemstone symbolising growth and harmony.
Enamel – Coloured glass fused to metal for decorative detail.
Engraving – Personalised text or design etched into jewellery.
Eternity Ring – A band of continuous stones representing eternal love.
Ethical Gold – Gold sourced responsibly to ensure fair labour and environmental care.
Facet – A flat, polished surface that enhances a gem’s sparkle.
Filigree – Fine metalwork twisted into intricate patterns.
Fine Craftsmanship – The meticulous artistry behind every handmade piece.
Finish – The surface texture of a metal, from matte to high polish.
Fire – The rainbow flashes seen when light passes through a diamond.
Flush Setting – A sleek setting where the stone sits level with the surface.
Freshwater Pearl – Pearls cultivated in freshwater mussels, admired for their variety.ements, or welcome customers to your store.
Garnet – A deep red gemstone symbolising love and vitality.
Gemstone – A precious or semi-precious mineral cut for adornment.
Genuine Stone – A natural gemstone, not lab-made or simulated.
GIA – The Gemological Institute of America, a leader in gem certification.
Girdle – The widest edge of a gemstone separating top and bottom facets.
Gold (14k / 18k) – Solid gold alloys ideal for durable fine jewellery.
Gold Vermeil – Thick gold plating over sterling silver.
Granulation – Tiny decorative gold beads fused onto a surface.
Green Amethyst – A light green quartz gemstone symbolising calmness.
Hallmark – An official stamp verifying metal purity and authenticity.
Halo Setting – A ring style where small diamonds encircle a centre stone.
Handcrafted Jewellery – Jewellery individually made by skilled artisans.
Hammered Finish – A textured surface that catches light uniquely.
Herkimer Diamond – Double-terminated quartz crystals resembling diamonds.
Hidden Bail – A concealed loop giving pendants a “floating” look.
Hoop Earrings – Circular earrings that loop through the ear.
Hypoallergenic – Jewellery safe for sensitive skin, often nickel-free.
Inclusion – A natural internal characteristic within a gemstone.
Initial Necklace – A pendant showcasing one’s initial in gold or diamond.
Intaglio – A design carved into a gemstone, often for signet rings.
Inlay – Decorative material set into the surface of metal.
Invisible Setting – Stones set seamlessly without visible metal prongs.
Investment Jewellery – Fine pieces crafted to retain and appreciate in value.
Jade – A green gemstone representing peace and wisdom.
Jump Ring – A small circular connector used in jewellery assembly.
Jewellery Care – The proper cleaning and storage to preserve your pieces.
Jewellery with Meaning – Jewellery created to represent personal stories or milestones.
Karat (K) – A measure of gold purity; 24K is pure gold, 18K is 75% pure.
Kinetic Jewellery – Pieces designed with subtle movement or rotation.
Lab-Grown Diamond – A real diamond created ethically in a lab environment.
Lapis Lazuli – A royal blue gemstone prized since ancient Egypt.
Lariat Necklace – A long, clasp-free necklace looped into a knot.
Layered Necklace – Multiple necklaces of varying lengths worn together.
Lifetime Jewellery – Fine pieces made to endure everyday wear and last generations.
Locket – A pendant that opens to hold a photo or tiny keepsake.
Love Token – A sentimental gift symbolising affection or memory.
Made-to-Order – Jewellery crafted specifically upon request.
Mama Necklace – A personalised pendant celebrating motherhood.
Marquise Cut – A gemstone cut with pointed ends and curved sides.
Matinee Necklace – Mid-length necklace resting at the chest.
Micro Pavé Setting – Minute diamonds set closely together for fine sparkle.
Minimalist Design – Clean, understated styles ideal for daily wear.
Modern Heirloom – A timeless design created to be passed down.
Moissanite – A brilliant diamond alternative known for sparkle.
Mother of Pearl – Iridescent layer inside oyster shells, used for inlays.
Name Necklace – A custom necklace featuring a chosen name or word.
Nacre – The natural material forming pearls and mother-of-pearl.
Necklace Length Guide – Standard sizing from choker to opera lengths.
Name Ring – A personalised ring engraved or shaped with a name.
Old English Name Necklace – A name necklace in classic Old English script.
Onyx – A black gemstone symbolising strength and grounding.
Opal – A gemstone displaying a spectrum of rainbow colours.
Organic Design – Natural, flowing shapes inspired by the earth.
Oxidised Finish – A darkened metal effect adding vintage depth.
Palladium – A precious white metal similar to platinum.
Pavé Setting – Small stones set close together for a shimmering surface.
Patina – The natural colour change that develops on metals over time.
Pearl – A lustrous gem formed inside molluscs, symbolising purity.
Pendant – A charm or ornament suspended from a chain.
Peridot – A light green stone symbolising joy and prosperity.
Personalised Jewellery – Jewellery uniquely crafted to reflect your story.
Polish and Finish – The final surface treatment for brilliance and smoothness.
Precious Metals – Rare, valuable metals such as gold, silver, and platinum.
Princess Cut – A square, faceted diamond cut offering exceptional sparkle.
Promise Ring – A ring symbolising commitment before engagement.
Quartz – A versatile mineral available in many colours, from clear to smoky.
Red Gold / Rose Gold – Gold alloyed with copper for a warm pink hue.
Refining – The process of purifying metal to its purest state.
Remount – Resetting gemstones into a new jewellery design.
Repairs and Resizing – Services to maintain and adjust fine jewellery.
Rhodium Plating – A reflective white finish often used on white gold.
Ring Guard – A frame that secures another ring, often for protection.
Riviera Necklace – A necklace featuring graduated gemstones.
Ruby – A deep red gemstone representing passion and strength.
Safety Clasp – An additional locking mechanism for security.
Sapphire – A gemstone symbolising wisdom and fidelity, often deep blue.
Satin Finish – A smooth matte surface with understated shine.
Scalloped Setting – A wavy-edged setting that enhances sparkle.
Script Name Necklace – A name necklace in elegant script font.
Sentimental Jewellery – A piece connected to memory or emotion.
Setting – The metal framework securing a gemstone.
Side Stones – Additional gems flanking a central stone.
Signet Ring – A flat-topped ring engraved with initials or symbols.
Silver / Sterling Silver – A bright, precious metal often used in fine jewellery.
Simulated Gemstone – A man-made gem resembling a natural one.
Snake Chain – A sleek, flexible chain made of tightly linked plates.
Solid Gold – Pure gold alloy throughout, not plated.
Sustainability – Responsible production prioritising ethics and longevity.
Table (Gemstone Top) – The flat upper facet of a cut stone.
Tanzanite – A violet-blue gemstone found only in Tanzania.
Tarnish – Natural dulling of metal from exposure to air.
Tennis Bracelet – A flexible line of diamonds around the wrist.
Three-Stone Ring – A ring symbolising past, present, and future.
Timeless Design – Classic pieces that never go out of style.
Tourmaline – A multicoloured gemstone symbolising compassion.
Tricolour Gold – A mix of yellow, white, and rose gold tones.
Turquoise – A blue-green stone believed to bring luck and serenity.
Two-Tone Jewellery – Jewellery combining two metal colours.
Vermeil – Thick gold plating over sterling silver for durability.
Victorian Era – 19th-century jewellery known for romance and symbolism.
Vintage Name Necklace – A retro-inspired personalised design.
V-Prong Setting – A prong shaped like a “V,” ideal for pointed stones.
Wedding Band – A ring symbolising unity, worn during marriage.
White Gold – Gold alloyed with white metals for a silvery finish.
Wire Wrapping – A jewellery-making technique using wire to hold stones.
Work-Hardened Metal – Metal strengthened by shaping and hammering.
Women’s Jewellery – Jewellery designed to express feminine elegance.
Yellow Gold – Classic golden alloy with warm undertones.
Y-Chain Necklace – A necklace forming a “Y” shape that elongates the neckline.
Looking for something specific or ready to personalise a piece? Explore our name and initial designs, or speak with the argent + asher atelier about creating a modern heirloom that tells your story.
