Jewellery Jargon Demystified:
The Language of Treasures
Jewellery is more than beauty and sparkle, and at Clogau, each piece carries its own story, history, and craftsmanship. But sometimes, the language around jewellery can feel a little overwhelming. From carats to hallmarks, we’ve gathered some of the most common terms explained simply, so you can feel confident with your jewellery terminology.
The Anatomy of a Ring
To understand the parts of a ring, it is easiest to start with the shank or band, which refers to the section of the ring that encircles the finger and will be the part of the ring that determines the size you will need. Remember, a wider band may mean sizing up.
The shoulder of a ring sits between the shank and the centre setting. Think of the centre stone as the head, the shank as the arms, and the shoulders as, well, the shoulders.
When it comes to wedding bands, it may surprise you how many shapes are on offer. A D-shaped band has a flat inner surface and a domed exterior, whereas a Court shape is rounded in both the inner and outer band. Flat Court offers a domed inner band, with a flat exterior.
A Ring Settings Guide
A ring setting refers to the way a gemstone is secured onto the band. The setting is one of the most important components of a ring. After all, in your Compose by Clogau ring, it keeps your sparkling diamond perfectly in place. Let’s explore the different types of settings:
A Prong setting is the most classic of all settings. Here, claws, or prongs, hold the gemstone securely, lifting it up so light can enter from every angle and maximises its brilliance.
With a Pavé setting, think of a path paved with diamonds. Tiny stones are set closely together, held in place by small beads of raised metal.
What is a Bezel setting? A modern favourite, the gemstone is encircled by a sleek rim of metal, either fully or partially, offering a contemporary look. You may also hear this referred to as the collet of the ring.
After a glamorous, vintage-inspired design? Find the Halo setting. A central gemstone is surrounded by a ‘halo’ of smaller stones, amplifying the sparkle and adding a touch of drama.
Making Sense of Diamonds and Gemstones
If we’re talking gemstones and diamonds, we must bring to your attention ‘The 4 Cs’, which were developed in the 1940’s and 1950’s to simplify the four value determiners of purchasing diamonds. This proved so popular that it now covers gemstones, too.
Cut refers to the shape and facet of the gemstone itself. Types of diamond cuts can be Round Brilliant, Princess Cut, Emerald, or Oval!
Colour is the absence of colour in the diamond itself. The less colour, the higher quality the diamond. In gemstones, this can come down to personal preference of colour.
Clarity evaluates the purity of the gemstone and the flaws apparent, which are typically called inclusions.
Carat is the weight of the diamond itself, and we offer, from highest carat to lowest, 3.0, 2.0, 1.0, 0.70, 0.50, and 0.30 in our Compose rings. This will depend on whether your select Natural or Lab-Grown Diamond.
At Clogau, all our diamonds that measure 0.30ct or above will have GIA certification. Diamond grading GIA refers to the Gemmological Institute of America, the leading authority in diamond grading.
Let’s discover the parts of the gemstone, from top to bottom.
The table is the flat, topmost facet of the gemstone and is usually the largest.
Just below the table is the crown, which forms the upper portion of the stone.
The girdle is the widest part of the gemstone, acting as a boundary between the upper and lower sections.
Beneath the girdle lies the pavilion, which makes up the lower part of the gemstone. At the very bottom is the culet, a small point that forms the
base of the stone.
Let’s talk gold! The karat tells you how pure your gold is. Pure gold is 24K, but that’s a bit soft for everyday jewellery, so we blend it with other metals to make it more durable (and wearable), and this is called an alloy. At Clogau, our gold pieces come in 9K or 18K gold. You can spot this via the hallmark on your piece.
All our pieces will hold a hallmark, which not only lets you know your piece is Clogau, but also the metal itself.
On our silver pieces, the Welsh gold will be in the rose gold element of your piece, such as the motif. The motif is the decorative design on your jewellery. Now that motif is part of your broadening jewellery repertoire, you can show-off your jewellery with expertise.
The bail is the little part of a pendant that connects it to the chain. Think our Cariad® Sterling Silver Big Heart Pendant with Diamond, where a sparkly diamond is adorned on the rose gold bail.
Ever noticed how bright and beautiful our silver looks? That’s thanks to rhodium plating. What is rhodium plating? It is a super-thin layer that gives your jewellery extra shine and helps protect it from tarnishing.
Keeping Sparkle Simplified
We hope this guide has helped you feel more confident when choosing your Clogau piece. Understanding the terminology allows you to appreciate the artistry behind each design, from the moment of purchase to lovingly wearing and caring for your jewellery.
Remember, explore our collections with your newfound jewellery jargon and put your knowledge to the test!
With jargon made jewelled,
Lydia Carter