Tiffany Jones Designs  
Over 10,000 Satisfied Customers
1-800-988-5145    
Shopping Cart
0 item(s), $0.00 USD

Glossary of Terms

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z
 

Alloy
A term used to describe the mixture of two or more metals. For example, white gold is an alloy of yellow gold and copper or palladium.
Customers who viewed this item also viewed:Precious Metal Guide

Appraisal
An appraisal is a document that includes a brief description and photograph of the item, and includes 4C's of the diamond (Cut, Color, Clarity and Carat Weight) and the measurementsof the gem. Your insurance company can rely on this appraisal to calculate a coverage rate for your diamond or piece of jewelry.
Customers who viewed this item also viewed: Personal Appraisal, Certificate of Authenticity, Insurance

Asscher Cut Diamond
This magnificently shape is very similar to the emerald cut apart from that it is square and has a pointed culet. The Asscher cut has the same facets like the emerald cut. [add picture of Asscher Cut]
Customers who viewed this item also viewed:Diamond Shape

TopBack to Top

Brightness
The reflections of white light seen when a diamond is viewed from the top.
Customers who viewed this item also viewed: Precious Metal Guide

Brilliance
The light that reflected up through the surface of a diamond. The amount of brilliance is depend on the diamond cut, proportions and polish.
Customers who viewed this item also viewed:Diamond Cut

Brilliant Cut
Brilliant cut refers to diamonds that contain 58 facets. Brilliant cut gemstones are known to have the most vibrancy and sparkle. A brilliant cut can have several shapes: round, oval, radiant, pear-shaped, marquise, heart-shaped and some variations of cushion. Customers who viewed this item also viewed:Diamond Shape

TopBack to Top

Carat (ct.)
Carat is the measurement of weight used for diamonds and gemstones. One carat weight is equal to 200 milligrams, or 0.2 grams. Carat weight is also referred to in points, where one point equals one, one hundredth (.01) of a carat. Therefore a 100-point diamond is one carat. "ct." is the universal abbreviation for carat. Carat weight is one of the Four C's.
Customers who viewed this item also viewed:Diamond Education,Point,Diamond Carat

Carat Total Weight (ct. tw.)
Carat Total Weight indicates the collective carat weight of all diamonds in a piece of jewelry. For example, a ring set with three diamonds, each side stone weighing 1/4 carat and the center stone weigh 1/2, weighs approximately 1 ct. tw.
Customers who viewed this item also viewed:Diamond Education, Diamond Carat

Carbon
Also known as Black Pique. The term refers to included crystals that have a dark appearance, rather than a white or transparent appearance, when viewed under a microscope. In most cases, these dark inclusions are not visible to the naked eye, and do not affect the brilliance of the diamond. [add a picture] Customers who viewed this item also viewed:Diamond Clarity,Clarity Enhanced,Laser Drilling

Center Stone
The central, main stone in a piece of jewelry set with multiple stones. In a ring set with one stone, the center stone is also called the solitaire. [add a picture] Customers who viewed this item also viewed: Engagement Guide, Diamond Education, Solitaire, Setting

Certification
A certificate is a report that is given to diamonds and precious gemstones by a reputable and recognized gemological laboratory that defines the physical characteristics and quality rating of a gem. The diamond is analyzed by gemologists under a microscope and other optic equipment to explore its dimensions, clarity, cut, color, polish, symmetry and other characteristics. [add a picture]Customers who viewed this item also viewed:Certification,Diamond Education

Channel Setting
A style of setting used for diamonds where ridges in the metal create a channel that holds diamonds securely in place. The diamonds rest in a metal channel, where each diamond sits perfectly adjacent to the next in a line. [add picture of Channel Setting] Customers who viewed this item also viewed:Setting Education

Chip
A tiny chip in the diamond is usually caused when a pressure work on sensitive part on the diamond like the culet and the girdle. A larger chip can result weight loss. Most chips may be impossible to see with the naked eye, and may be hard to find under a 10X magnification jeweler's loupe. [add picture of Diamond with a chip in the girdle] Customers who viewed this item also viewed:Girdle,Culet,Diamond Anatomy,Natural

Clarity
Clarity is a measure of quality for gemstones, is graded based upon internal flaws or inclusions. Because diamonds are created by nature over millions of years of intense heat and pressure, imperfections or inclusions are often formed in the process. For diamonds, the clarity scale ranges from flawless (FL), meaning a diamond has no internal or external flaws, to severely included (I3), meaning there are many flaws clearly visible to the unaided eye.
Customers who viewed this item also viewed:Clarity,Clarity Enhanced,Diamond Education,Inclusion

Clarity Enhancement Process
An advance treatment, performed on natural diamonds which designed to optimize the diamond brilliance by upgrading the diamond's clarity. There are two different types of treatment that work on two different types of inclusions. For example: Feather Filling treatment is been use to hide white feather by filling it with a substance while Laser Drilling is been use to remove carbon from the diamond. [add a picture]Customers who viewed this item also viewed:Feather Filling,Laser Drilling,Diamond Clarity,Feather,Carbon

Cloud
A cloud is a form of inclusion. But unlike carbon inclusions, which are black, "clouds" are white milky areas like tiny crystals inherent in the diamond.
Customers who viewed this item also viewed:Clarity,Diamond Education,Inclusion,Loupe

Coating Process
In this process, a very thin film is placed over the pavilion of the diamond which imparts the color to the rest of the diamond. Therefore, once the diamond is set, the colored coating cannot be easily damaged as there is no coating on the table. The material is less than a millionth of an inch thick and does not alter the diamond's weight for practical measurement. [add a picture]Customers who viewed this item also viewed:Color Enhancement, Table, Pavilion

Color
The color scale is used to describe the color present within the diamond. These colors have been established by expert gemological laboratories, and are carefully examined against a master set of diamonds. The white color scale ranges from D (colorless) to Z (indicate distinct of yellow-brown or grayish shed) The fancy color scale ranges from Very Light to Fancy Deep.
Customers who viewed this item also viewed:Color,Fancy Color,Diamond Education,Color Enhancement

Color Enhancement
An advance treatments, performed on natural diamonds which are designed to alter the color of a diamond into a glowing and intense colored stone. There are different types of treatment white the most advance and safe are the irradiation, coating and HPHT. Each of these treatments can achieve different color on the diamond or work on different types of diamonds. For example: HPHT process can reach yellow, blue or pink (very rare) but will work only on flawless to VS2 clarity graded diamond. Irradiation process can reach yellow, blue, green or black but the color is depending on the florescence and the previous color of the diamond. Telling the deferent between color enhancement diamonds and natural color diamonds without an assistance of professionals or a copy of a gemological report will be impossible. [add a picture] Customers who viewed this item also viewed: Color Enhancement Process, HPHT,Irradiation,Coating

Colored Diamonds
Colored or "Fancy" diamonds are those that are not white. Fancy diamonds can be found in a full spectrum of hues, which include: blue, brown, black, purple, pink, green, yellow and red. The fancy color scale ranges from Very Light to Fancy Deep. [add picture of the yellow fancy scale] Customers who viewed this item also viewed:Hue, Fancy Color, Diamond Education, Color Enhancement

Crown
The crown is the upper part of the diamond, the top portion above the girdle that surrounding the table. [add picture of diamond's crown]
Customers who viewed this item also viewed:Diamond Anatomy, Girdle,Table, Diamond Cut

Crown Angle
Crown Angle is the average angle of the crown facets from the table to the girdle of the diamond. [add picture of diamond's crown angle]
Customers who viewed this item also viewed:Diamond Anatomy, Girdle, Table, Diamond Cut

Crystal
A tiny bit of mineral that is found inside a diamond. It can differ in size, shape, and color.
Customers who viewed this item also viewed:Clarity,Clarity Enhanced,Diamond Education,Inclusion

Cubic Zirconia
Cubic Zirconia, also called "CZ" are man-made gems which imitate diamonds, but do not have the same properties such as hardness, brilliant, refraction and fire. Cubic Zirconia are dramatically less expensive than diamonds. Tiffany Jones Designs, Do NOT carry Cubic Zirconia.

Culet
The culet is the minute facet on the tip of the pavilion of a brilliant cut diamond. Culet grades for brilliant cut diamonds are range from none to small.
Customers who viewed this item also viewed: Facet, Diamond Anatomy, Pavilion,Brilliant Cut

Cushion Cut Diamond
A cushion cut is a gemstone with a squarish cut and rounded edges. The cut is usually brilliant to give the highest light refraction and the facets are large.
Customers who viewed this item also viewed:Diamond Shape, Facet

Cut
Refers to the proportions and finish of the diamond. The cut of a diamond is one of the most important factors in determining how much brilliance the diamond produces. A diamond cut with correct proportions and angles will show the maximum amount of light. Cut also refers to the shape and style of a polished gem.
Customers who viewed this item also viewed: Diamond Cut,Diamond Shape,Russian Cut,Polish

Cut, Excellent
A diamond that has been cut and proportioned to allow it to reflect nearly all light as brilliance and fire. This is an outstanding cut that displays a negligible visible difference when compared to an ideal-cut diamond with the naked eye.
Customers who viewed this item also viewed: Diamond Cut,Diamond Shape,, Russian Cut

Cut, Fair
A diamond that has been cut to proportions that will yield more carat weight from the diamond rough. A fair cut will produce beautiful brilliance, but will not be as brilliant as a higher grade of cut. Customers who viewed this item also viewed: Diamond Cut, Diamond Shape, Russian Cut.

Cut, Good
A diamond that has been cut and proportioned to allow it to reflect most light that enters. A good cut is often significantly less expensive than a very good cut and is a very acceptable choice for most jewelry.
Customers who viewed this item also viewed:Diamond Cut,Diamond Shape,Russian Cut

Cut, Ideal
A diamond that reflects nearly all light as brilliance and fire. Its proportions, table and depth standards form an ideal cut grade. This is the highest grade given to the diamond. Customers who viewed this item also viewed:Diamond Cut, Diamond Shape, Russian Cut

Cut, Poor
A cut that makes diamonds appear smaller but heavier in weight.
Customers who viewed this item also viewed: Diamond Cut, Diamond Shape, Russian Cut

Cut, Very Good
A diamond that has been cut and proportioned to allow it to reflect nearly all light as brilliance and fire. This is an outstanding cut that displays a negligible visible difference when compared to an ideal-cut diamond with the naked eye. This is the second-highest grade given to a diamond. Customers who viewed this item also viewed: Diamond Cut, Diamond Shape, Russian Cut

Cyclotron Process
Cyclotron is a very rear methods used on diamonds to alter their color. Cyclotron is a giant electro-magnet which generates a field that bombards the diamonds with protons and deuterons. The diamond annealed to 800 °C to produce a yellow, orange, green or black color. They remain radioactive for only a few hours after treatment. Tiffany Jones Designs do not use this process on their color enhanced diamonds. [put an image] Customers who viewed this item also viewed:Color Enhanced Diamonds, Irradiation Process

TopBack to Top

Depth
The depth of a diamond is the height of the diamond, from culet(bottom) to table(top). The perfect depth when cutting a diamond, will allow the optimum amount of light and fire to reflect from within the diamond. The proper depth percentage is critical to creating brilliance and fire in the diamond and a diamond with a depth percentage too low or too high will lack sparkle. [add picture of diamond's depth] Customers who viewed this item also viewed:Culet,Table,Diamond Anatomy,Diamond Cut

Depth & Table Percentages
Depth and table percentages help determine the proportions of a diamond. From these measurements you can determine the quality and grade of a diamond's cut. The depth percentage is calculated by dividing the height by the width of the diamond. The proper depth percentage is critical to creating brilliance and fire in the diamond and a diamond with a depth percentage too low or too high will lack sparkle. The table percentage is the width of the table divided by the diameter of the diamond. The table percentage is critical to creating sparkle in a diamond; a diamond with a table percentage too low or too high will lack sparkle. [add picture of diamond's depth & table percentage] Customers who viewed this item also viewed:Diamond Cut,Diamond Anatomy,Depth, Table

Diameter
The width of a loose diamond that measured across the widest part. This measurement is an estimated average. [add picture of diamond's diameter]
Customers who viewed this item also viewed:Diamond Cut,Diamond Anatomy

Diamond
Diamonds are the most precious gemstone, millions of years old, formed naturally when carbon is exposed to intense heat and pressure. Diamond is the hardest naturally-occurring substance on Earth -a 10 on the Mohs hardness scale. A diamond's quality is rated in accordance with the Four C's.[add picture of a rough diamond]
Customers who viewed this item also viewed: Diamond Education

Dispersion
Also known as fire, is a term used to describe how white light is broken into its spectral (rainbow) colors. The better a diamond is cut or faceted, the more spectral colors are emitted from within the diamond. [add picture of diamond's dispersion]Customers who viewed this item also viewed:Fire,Diamond Cut,Facet

Dimensions
The length and width of a diamond as it appears from the top when set in jewelry. This measurement represents the size of the gemstone more accurately than carat weight. [add picture of diamond's dimensions] Customers who viewed this item also viewed: Diamond Cut,Diamond Anatomy

TopBack to Top

Emerald Cut Diamond
The enerald cut is a rectangular shaped cut with severed corners and stepped facets parallel to the girdle. What makes this shape different is its pavilion, and culet. [add picture of Emerald Cut] Customers who viewed this item also viewed:Diamond Shape

Engrave
Some piece of jewelry has decorative design; this process can be done by hand tools, a stamping press, or drill. Engraving also refers when a dedication or monogram is inscribed on a piece of jewelry. [add picture of ring with engrave design and another picture with engrave on the band]
Customers who viewed this item also viewed:Rings Style

Enhancement
Enhancement is a process that is been done on a diamond. Enhancement can be use in many ways such as, the cutting process from rough diamond to polish diamond, improving the clarity by clarity enhancement process, or changing the color of the diamond by color enhancement process.
Customers who viewed this item also viewed: The Diamond Path,Clarity Enhancement,Color Enhancement,Diamond Cut

Extra Face
A diamond that has one or more facets in addition to the normal number of facets in a particular cutting style. [add picture of diamond wth extra facet] Customers who viewed this item also viewed:Diamond Cut,Diamond Anatomy

Eye-Clean
A level of diamond clarity in which no inclusions are visible to the unaided eye. Eye-clean diamonds consider being an excellent quality and great value.
Customers who viewed this item also viewed:Diamond Clarity

TopBack to Top

Face-Up
The general appearance of a diamond when it is viewed from the top (table). The description factors include the brightness, fire, and cut of the diamond in one. [add a picture of a diamond face up]
Customers who viewed this item also viewed: Diamond Education, Table, Brightness, Fire, Diamond Cut

Facet
The general appearance of a diamond when it is viewed from the top (table). The description factors include the brightness, fire, and cut of the diamond in one. [add a picture of a diamond face up]
Customers who viewed this item also viewed:Diamond Education,Table,Brightness, Fire,Diamond Cut

Fancy Color Diamond
Fancy color diamonds are graded on a different color scale than white diamonds and can be found in a variety of hues including: yellow, blue, green, red, pink, brown, orange and purple. Natural fancy color can be very expensive however there are alternatives like color enhancement process that can alter the color of the diamond. [add a picture of a fancy color diamonds]
Customers who viewed this item also viewed: Diamond Color, Fancy Color Diamonds, Irradiation,Coating

Fancy Shape Diamond
Fancy shape diamonds is a term that used to describe all shapes that are not round brilliant. This includes princess, emerald, pear, radiant, Asscher, cushion oval and more. [add a pictures of fancy shape]
Customers who viewed this item also viewed:Diamond Shape

Feather
Feather is an tiny natural inclusion inside a diamond that often look like a feather. Some feathers are impossible to see with the unaided eye and some of them can be very easy to locate. However, further have no affect on the strength of the diamond. Thanks to modern technology some visible feather can be hide with a feather filling process. [add a pictures of a diamond with a feather ]
Customers who viewed this item also viewed:Diamond Clarity,Clarity Enhanced,Feather Filling Process

Feather Filling Process>
An advance treatment, performed on natural diamonds which designed to optimize the diamond brilliance by upgrading the diamond's clarity. Feather is a common inclusion in diamonds that don't allow light flowing freely. This treatment replaces the air that is trapped in the feather with a substance that has optical properties similar to diamonds. After the treatment light can travel through it without deflection. Because the inclusions that had impeded light refraction are now gone, the clarity, fire, and brilliance of the diamond are all significantly improved. [add a picture]
Customers who viewed this item also viewed: Clarity Enhancement,Diamond Clarity,Feather

Finish
The finish of a diamond refers to the polish on the external portion of a diamond. When a diamond is well cut and polished, it is said to have a beautiful finish. Finish is also used to describe the polish or texture applied to the metal on an item of jewelry. Common finishes include high polish, matte, brushed, or Florentine.
Customers who viewed this item also viewed: Metal Guide,Polish,High Polish, Florentine, Matte

Finish, Brushed
Brushed finish, also known as "satin" finish, is a texturing technique used on jewelry metals where a series of tiny parallel lines are scratched on the surface with a wire brush.[add a picture]
Customers who viewed this item also viewed:Metal Guide,Finish

Finish, Florentine
A Florentine finish is a cross-hatched pattern, tooled into the surface of metal. The lines are often coarser and more deeply incised than that on a brushed finish. [add a picture]
Customers who viewed this item also viewed: Metal Guide, Finish

Finish, High Polish
High polish refers to the mirror-like surface of jewelry metal. [add a picture]
Customers who viewed this item also viewed: Metal Guide,Finish

Finish, Matte
Matte finish, also known as a brushed or satin finish, is a texturing technique used on jewelry metals where a series of tiny parallel lines are scratched on the surface with a wire brush. [add a picture]
Customers who viewed this item also viewed: Metal Guide,Finish

Fire
Fire is the rainbow prism of light that reflects back from a finished diamond and is technically known as dispersion. The better a diamond is cut or faceted, the more fire is emitted from within the gemstone. In general, higher grade diamond cuts refract more colors when turned in the light. [add a picture]
Customers who viewed this item also viewed: Dispersion, Finish,Diamond Cut,Brilliance, Facet

Fisheye
A badly proportioned diamond that produces a circular reflection of the girdle seen through the table of the diamond. The effect is seen on diamonds that have a pavilion depth less than 40 percent of the average girdle diameter.
Customers who viewed this item also viewed: Diamond Cut, Pavilion, Girdle

Fissure
A fissure is an elongated fracture or crack in the surface of a diamond.
Customers who viewed this item also viewed: Diamond Cut, Inclusion

Fluorescence
A reaction to UV light. Fluorescence is graded from None to Strong. A fluorescence grade of Strong can make a diamond with a near-colorless grade look even whiter and could, in some very rare instances, give the diamond a slight hazy or oily appearance. [put image]
Customers who viewed this item also viewed: Fluorescence, Diamond Color, Diamond Education

Four C's
The general characteristics by which diamonds are judged for quality; Cut, Color, Clarity, and Carat weight.
Customers who viewed this item also viewed: Diamond Education, Diamond Cut, Diamond Clarity, Diamond Color, Diamond Carat

Fracture
A crack or feather inclusion on the surface of a diamond, it can show up as a whitish area because light does not pass through it. [put image]
Customers who viewed this item also viewed: Diamond Clarity, Inclusion

TopBack to Top

Gamma Radiation
Gamma radiation is the cheapest method of irradiating diamonds. It is a very uncommon treatment, although it is the safest way it is also the slowest way and can take several of months. The color produced is a blue to blue-green which penetrates the whole stone and when they are exposed to sunlight the color can fade after a few months. Tiffany Jones Designs do not use this process on their color enhanced diamonds. [put an image]
Customers who viewed this item also viewed: Color Enhanced Diamonds,Irradiation Process

Gemologist
A person educated and equipped to examine and grade diamonds and other gemstones.
Customers who viewed this item also viewed:Graduate Gemologist, Gemstone Education,, Diamond Grading

Graduate Gemologist
Graduate Gemologist is the title given to a person who has successfully graduate the GIA Diploma Program for Diamonds and Colored Stones. The program gives people the grading and identification skills needed to become a professional appraiser, buyer, or retailer.
Customers who viewed this item also viewed: Gemologist,Gemstone Education,Diamond Grading

Gemstone
A gemstone is a precious stone or mineral that is valuable and rare, and sought after for its beauty. Well-known examples of gemstones are diamonds, emeralds, rubies, sapphires and more.

GIA
The Gemological Institute of America is recognized as one of the world's top authorities on grading diamonds. [put image of GIA logo]
Customers who viewed this item also viewed: Gemologist, Gemstone Education, Diamond Grading

Girdle
Girdle is the thinner part between the top half (crown) and the bottom half (pavilion) of the diamond. [put image of the diamond girdle]
Customers who viewed this item also viewed: Diamond Cut,Crown,Pavilion

Gold
Gold has been used to create jewelry for centuries and is valued for its beauty, strength and malleability. Gold will never tarnish, rust, or corrode. While naturally yellow, various alloys are commonly added to gold to create white gold and rose gold. Gold is commonly measured by karat for jewelry:

  • 24 karat = 100% gold, too soft for jewelry
  • 22 karat = 91.7% gold, very soft, rarely used for jewelry
  • 18 karat = 75% gold, recommended for jewelry
  • 14 karat = 58.5% gold, recommended for jewelry
  • 10 karat = 41.7% gold, the legal minimum karatage considered real gold in the US.
  • Tiffany Jones Designs only carry 18k and 14k white gold jewelry.
    Customers who viewed this item also viewed: Precious Metal Guide, Karat, White Gold

     

    Grading Report
    Also known as Grading Certificate. This report created by a gemological laboratory who analyzes the diamond. A grading report written by a gemologist after thorough examination of the diamond using a microscope that includes the diamond's dimensions, clarity, cut, color, finish, symmetry, and other characteristics. [put a picture of a certificate]
    Customers who viewed this item also viewed:Diamond Education,Certificate,AGI,GIA,EGL

TopBack to Top

Hardness
Hardness is a stone's ability to resist scratching, surface inclusions, abrasions or cracking.
Customers who viewed this item also viewed: Moh's Scale, Inclusion,Diamond

Head
Head is the piece of metal basket that holds the diamond in the jewelry. Head can come in many different designs, like: basket, trellis, cathedral, solid, gallery and more. [put a picture of a certificate]
Customers who viewed this item also viewed:Setting Guide,Rings Style

Heart Shape Diamond
The shape of a heart is traditionally associated with love and usually perfect as a Valentine's Day gift. Heart shape diamonds has a very similar cut like the round diamond what gives this shape its beautiful brilliance. [put a picture of heart shape diamond]
Customers who viewed this item also viewed:Diamond Shape

HPTH Process
HPHT stands for High Pressure High Temperature. Invented in the 1980, the HPHT process put the diamond back into the environment in which is formed. The HPHT process is absolutely permanent and irreversible what make it high value. [add a picture]
Customers who viewed this item also viewed:HPHT Process

Hue
Hue is the term used on fancy color diamonds. Fancy color diamonds comes in many colors like: pink, yellow, blue, green, brown, red, purple, grey, black and orange. The more rich is the color of the diamond, the more it valuable. Customers who viewed this item also viewed:Fancy Color Diamonds,Saturation,Intensity

TopBack to Top

Inclusion
An inclusion refers to a naturally occurring flaws within a diamond like, feather, fracture, fissure, cloud and more. Since diamonds are millions of years old and created deep in the earth thru heat and pressure almost all diamonds have inclusion. These imperfections are unique fingerprint to each diamond; determine the clarity grade of the diamond.
Customers who viewed this item also viewed: Diamond Clarity, Feather,Fracture,Fissure,Cloud,Carbon,Clarity Enhanced

Invisible setting
Invisible setting is a style in which rows of square princess cut diamonds are set perfectly one against another within a metal border, with no metal separating them. [put a picture of invisible setting]
Customers who viewed this item also viewed:Setting Guide

Irradiation Process
This process uses high-energy electron saturation (electron accelerator technology) to alter the appearance and color of diamonds and allow to irradiate natural diamonds safely and get all range of colors like: yellow, blue, green and black so that any natural diamond can looks like a much higher quality natural stone. There are 4 types of irradiation process, Cyclotron, Gamma Radiation, Electrons and Neutron. Tiffany Jones Designs use Electrons and Neutron; it's safer and brings the most vivid color to the diamond. [put a picture irradiated diamond]
Customers who viewed this item also viewed:Fancy Color Diamond,Irradiation Process

TopBack to Top

Karat
Karat (Kt.) is the measurement of gold used to note the purity and fineness of the metal. Pure gold is too soft to survive the stresses of every-day wear, so it is alloyed with a mixture of metals like silver, copper, nickel, and zinc to give it strength and durability. Products made from gold are marked to show how much actual gold is contained in the product:

  • 24 karat = 100% gold, too soft for jewelry
  • 22 karat = 91.7% gold, very soft, rarely used for jewelry
  • 18 karat = 75% gold, recommended for jewelry
  • 14 karat = 58.5% gold, recommended for jewelry
  • 10 karat = 41.7% gold, the legal minimum karatage considered real gold in the US.
Customers who viewed this item also viewed:Alloy,Gold,Gold Education,White Gold

 

TopBack to Top

Laser Drill
Laser drilling is used to remove carbon-like inclusions found in many diamonds by creating a microscopic tunnel from the surface of the diamond to reach and eliminate any number of black inclusions. If necessary, acid is injected into the tunnel to bleach the inclusion. The new laser hole becomes an extension of any original inclusions. [add a picture]
Customers who viewed this item also viewed:Diamond Clarity,Clarity Enhanced,Carbon

Laser Inscription
Laser inscription process is a using a micro laser beam to engrave a microscopic inscription on the diamond, this process is usually done on the girdle or one of the crown facets of the diamond. The inscription can be the diamond's certificate number, a branding company logo, or even a personal message. [add a picture]
Customers who viewed this item also viewed: Girdle,Crown,Facet,Diamond Education

Laser Inscription
Laser inscription process is a using a micro laser beam to engrave a microscopic inscription on the diamond, this process is usually done on the girdle or one of the crown facets of the diamond. The inscription can be the diamond's certificate number, a branding company logo, or even a personal message. [add a picture]
Customers who viewed this item also viewed: Girdle,Crown,Facet,Diamond Education

Ratio
The ratio formula is use to know how relatively square or rectangular fancy shape diamonds appears when viewed from the top. For example: A 2-carat radiant cut diamond measuring 7.00mm long by 7.10mm wide has a ratio of 1.01, and will appear perfectly square. A 2-carat radiant cut diamond measuring 7.00mm long by 8.35mm wide has a ratio of 1.20, and will appear rectangular. [add a picture]
Customers who viewed this item also viewed: Diamond Shape,Fancy Shape Diamond

Loupe
A hand-held 10x magnifying glass designed to give the user a closer look at the diamond. [add a picture]
Customers who viewed this item also viewed:Diamond Education

TopBack to Top

Make
Make refers to the proportions of the diamond and presented has cut. An Ideal, Very Good, or Good make will have proportions that maximize the brilliance and fire of a diamond. A poor cut will result in a diamond that has less sparkle and will weigh more then it appears.
Customers who viewed this item also viewed:Diamond Cut,Depth,Table,Brilliance,Fire

Marquise Cut Diamond
An extended diamond shape with two pointy edges. The length of the marquise helps makes fingers appear long and slender. [add a picture]
Customers who viewed this item also viewed: Diamond Shape

Mohs Hardness Scale
A scale developed by Friedrich Mohs to determine the relative hardness of minerals and other objects. The scale assigns the numbers 1 to 10 to specific minerals, softest to hardest respectively, using a scratch test. Diamonds rate a 10 which is harder than steel.
Customers who viewed this item also viewed: Diamond Education

TopBack to Top

Natural
Natural refers to a tiny unpolished part on the surface of a polished diamond which is the original rough diamond crystal. Diamond cutters sometime keeping natural on hidden surfaces from the naked-eye like on the pavilion, or the girdle. [add a picture]
Customers who viewed this item also viewed:Diamond Education

Nickel
Nickel is a metal that is commonly alloyed in gold and silver. Yellow gold contains less nickel than white gold.
Customers who viewed this item also viewed: Alloy,Precious Metals

TopBack to Top

Optical Properties
An optical property is a gem's intrinsic ability to interact with light. Some optical properties are color, dispersion and fluorescence.
Customers who viewed this item also viewed: Color,Dispersion,Fluorescence

Oval Shape Diamond
Oval shape is an elliptical shape diamond that range from nearly round to very elongate. A longer oval shape can accentuate long, slender fingers. Many who like the look of the round diamond but want a fancy shape alternative choose the oval shape diamond. [add a picture]
Customers who viewed this item also viewed:Diamond Shape

TopBack to Top

Palladium
Palladium is a very rare metal that usually alloyed with white metals. Palladium jewelry palladium is 95% pure with 5% other pure alloys and marked with "Pall 950". [add a picture]
Customers who viewed this item also viewed:Alloy,Precious Metal Guide

Patina
A satin that develops on the surface of platinum, produced by daily wear and tiny scratches. Many people prefer this unique look, and avoid polishing their platinum. [add a picture]
Customers who viewed this item also viewed: Alloy,Precious Metal Guide

Pave Setting
Pave came from the French word for pavement. This type of setting is a style where tiny diamonds are set so close together that they appear "Paved" with diamonds. [add a picture]
Customers who viewed this item also viewed: Settings Guide

Pavilion
The pavilion is the bottom or base portion of a diamond; the lower part between the girdle and the culet. [add a picture]
Customers who viewed this item also viewed:Diamond Anatomy,Diamond Cut,Culet,Girdle

Pavilion Angle
Pavilion Angle is the average angle of the pavilion facets from the girdle to the culet of the diamond. [add picture of diamond's crown angle]
Customers who viewed this item also viewed:Diamond Anatomy,Girdle,Culet,Diamond Cut

Pear Shape Diamond
A pear shape diamond is shaped like a teardrop, rounded on one end and pointed on the other. The length of the diamond creates a slimming effect on the fingers. [add a picture]
Customers who viewed this item also viewed:Diamond Shape

Penny Weight
A penny weight is a unit of measurement used for precious metals equaling 1/20th of an ounce or 1.555 grams.
Customers who viewed this item also viewed:Precious Metal

Pinpoint
A microscopic crystals inside the diamond that look like small specks under 10X magnification. [add a picture]
Customers who viewed this item also viewed:Diamond Clarity,Inclusion

Pinpoint
A microscopic crystals inside the diamond that look like small specks under 10X magnification. [add a picture]
Customers who viewed this item also viewed:Diamond Clarity,Inclusion

Platinum
Platinum is the rarest of all precious metals and its durability is what makes it very popular for engagement rings. Platinum jewelry can be 95% pure with 5% alloy (950) or 90% pure with 10% alloy (900) and will be mark with "Plat" or "Pt". [add a picture]
Customers who viewed this item also viewed:Precious Metal,Alloy

Point
A point is a measurement of weight for diamonds. One point equals one-hundredth of a carat. For example, 1 point equals to 0.01 carat, 0.30 carat diamond is 30 points. A 100 point is 1 carat.
Customers who viewed this item also viewed: Diamond Carat, Carat

Polish
Polish refers to the finish of the diamond and describes how smoothly the facets of a diamond have been polished. Polish can be range from Ideal to Poor. Polish marks are almost always invisible to the unaided eye, but they have a slight effect on the overall brilliance.
Customers who viewed this item also viewed: Diamond Cut

Precious Metal
A precious metal is a rare, naturally occurring metallic element of high economic value. The most popular metals used for fine jewelry are gold, platinum and silver. Other popular metals for jewelry include palladium, stainless steel and titanium
Customers who viewed this item also viewed:Precious Metal, Alloy

Precious Gemstone
Also called Gem, is a very rare piece of stone or a mineral that has high economic value. Cutting and polishing a gemstone will reveal a unique luster and brilliance which is ideal for used to make jewelry. Precious gemstones are diamonds, sapphires, emeralds and rubies.
Customers who viewed this item also viewed: Semi-Precious Gemstones

Princess Cut Diamond
A square cut, faceted diamond. The princess cut (also known as Square Modified Brilliant) is considerably the most popular shape from all squares fancy shapes. [add a picture]
Customers who viewed this item also viewed:Diamond Shape

Prong Setting
A setting used for diamonds that group of claws or prongs hold a diamond in its mounting while each prong is bent to securely hold the diamond by the crown. The most popular is the 4-prong setting. [add a picture]
Customers who viewed this item also viewed:Setting Guide,Girdle

Proportion
A term used to describe the symmetrical components of the diamond compared to the entire diamond.
Customers who viewed this item also viewed: Diamond Cut, Symmetry

Push Back
Also called Lapuset. The push back slides over the post, and usually a small indentation in the post will help prevent the earring from slipping off. [add a picture]
Customers who viewed this item also viewed: Stud Earrings,Screw Back

TopBack to Top

Radiant Cut Diamond
Radiant Cut Diamond A radiant cut diamond have the brilliant cut of a princess cut with but without the sharp corners and depend on the ratio can be square or rectangular. [add a picture]
Customers who viewed this item also viewed: Diamond Shape, Ratio

Rhodium
Rhodium is an expensive alloy that applied as a coating on silver and white gold and makes these white metals even whiter, prevents tarnish and protect the metal. Customers who viewed this item also viewed: White Gold, Silver, Alloy,Precious Metal Guide

Ring Setting
A term refers to the band (shank) and the head of a ring which contains no center stone. [add a picture]
Customers who viewed this item also viewed: Semi Mount, Engagement Ring Guide

Ring size
A measurement, range between 3 and 14, determined by the diameter of the finger on which the ring will be worn, and the knuckle which the ring must slip over comfortably. [add a picture]
Customers who viewed this item also viewed: Ring Sizer, Engagement Ring Guide

Rose Gold
Also known as Red Gold, Pink Gold and Russian Gold. Rose gold gets its beautiful and unique color from a larger proportion of copper in the metal alloy. For example: 18 karat rose gold contain 75% pure gold alloyed with 25% copper. 14 karat rose gold made of 58.5% pure gold alloyed with 41.5% copper. [add a picture]
Customers who viewed this item also viewed: Precious Metal Guide, Alloy, Gold

Rough
Any uncut or unpolished gem material. [add a picture]
Customers who viewed this item also viewed: Diamond, Diamond Education

Round Cut Diamond
Established in 1919 by diamond cutter Marcel Tolkowsky, since than this shape recognized as the most popular one. The cut proportions of the round cut diamond are based on the 58 facets and its brilliant cut maximizes the amount of light that is reflected from the center of the diamond. [add a picture]
Customers who viewed this item also viewed: Brilliance, Facet, Diamond Shape

TopBack to Top

Saturation
This term refers to the color purity for fancy color diamonds.
Customers who viewed this item also viewed: Fancy Color Diamonds, Hue, Intensity

Screw Back
A threaded post and screw used on earrings. Screw backs offer a measure of security for earrings by holding them more securely in place.
[add a picture]
Customers who viewed this item also viewed: Stud Earrings, Push Back

Semi-Mount
A semi-mount is a finished item of jewelry except for the center stone setting, to which a stone is added separately.
[add a picture]
Customers who viewed this item also viewed: Ring Setting, Head, Shank

Semi-Precious Gemstone
A gemstone that is less rare and less expensive than a precious gemstone but valued for its beauty. semi-precious gemstones are peridot, amethyst and citrine.
[add a picture]
Customers who viewed this item also viewed: Precious Gemstones, Diamond

Setting
Setting refers to the style that the diamond is held by the metal into a mounting. Common settings include bezel, pavé, channel or prong. Setting also refers to the part of jewelry in which one or more stones are set like solitaire setting, 3-stone setting and setting with side stones.
[add a picture]
Customers who viewed this item also viewed: Semi-Mount, Prong, Bezel, Channel, Pavé, Head, Shank, Precious metal, Setting Guide

Shank
Refers to the band of the ring that encircles the finger. The shank of the ring does not include the head.
[add a picture]
Customers who viewed this item also viewed: Head, Setting

Shape
Shape to the geometrical form the diamond get after cutting it from rough. The most common shapes for diamonds are round, princess, radiant, oval, pear, cushion, marquise, heart, asscher and emerald.
[add a picture]
Customers who viewed this item also viewed: Diamond Shape

Side Stones
Refers to all the diamonds set in the jewelry beside the center stone. They could be set on the shank or surround the center stone.
[add a picture]
Customers who viewed this item also viewed: Pav, Setting Guide

Silver
Silver is a white precious metal that is very popular and affordable. In its natural form silver is too soft to be used for jewelry and need to alloy. Sterling silver is a shiny mixture of 92.5 % pure silver with 7.5 % copper and it marked as 925.
[add a picture]
Customers who viewed this item also viewed: Alloy, Precious Metal Guide

Solitaire
A solitaire is a single stone mounted on the head of a ring or a pendant.
[add a picture]
Customers who viewed this item also viewed: Shank, Head, Setting, Setting Education

Sparkle
Sparkle is referred to the brilliance, and the fire in a diamond. The sparkle of a diamond is the result of the facets that are cut to reflect light.
[add a picture]
Customers who viewed this item also viewed: Fire, Brilliance, Diamond Cut

Star Facet
Star Facet located on the crown of the diamond. It's the small, triangular shape next to table.
[add a picture]
Customers who viewed this item also viewed: Diamond Cut, Facet, Table, Crown

Stud Earrings
A simple earring style featuring a single diamond on a straight post.
[add a picture]
Customers who viewed this item also viewed: Scew Back, Push Back, Earrings

Symmetry
Symmetry refers to the symmetrical property of the diamond and it's graded from Ideal to poor. Low symmetry will result loss of light and brilliance. Symmetry it affected from off-center tables, off-center culet, uneven facets, and girdle thickness consistency.
[add a picture]
Customers who viewed this item also viewed: Diamond Cut, Facet, Table, Girdle, Brilliance

Synthetic Diamonds
Synthetic diamonds are man-made diamonds that produced in a laboratory, which imitate the characteristics of naturally occurring diamonds. Often difficult to distinguish from natural diamonds, synthetic diamonds are typically created with little or no imperfections and are much less expensive. Tiffany Jones Designs does not carry synthetic Diamonds.
Customers who viewed this item also viewed: Cubic Zirconia, Diamond Education

TopBack to Top

Table
The table is the flat facet on the top of a diamond, located in the center of the crown. The table percentage is the width of the table divided by the diameter of the diamond. The table percentage is critical to creating sparkle in a diamond; a diamond with a table percentage too low or too high will lack sparkle.
[add a picture]
Customers who viewed this item also viewed: Diamond Cut, Facet

Titanium
Titanium is lightweight, extremely strong, hypo-allergenic, shiny metal. Titanium is as stronger and lighter than steel and can withstand a lifetime. It's resistant to salt water corrosion and strength it's what makes perfect for watches. However its strength also doesn't allow jewelers to resize it if used for ring or a band.
[add a picture]Customers who viewed this item also viewed: Precious Metals Guide

Trillion Cut Diamond
Also know as Trilliant Cut Diamond, is a triangular brilliant cut diamond with 44 facets.
[add a picture]Customers who viewed this item also viewed: Diamond Shape, Facet

TopBack to Top

Ultrasonic Cleaner
A device used to clean jewelry using ultrasonic waves (ultrasound) to loosen dirt and metal chips.
[add a picture] Customers who viewed this item also viewed: Diamond Care

TopBack to Top

White Gold
Since gold pure color is yellow and 18k white gold is 75% gold, and 14k white gold is 58.5% gold, jewelry made from these metals has a slight yellow color. To enhance the whiteness, jewelers use rhodium, a shiny, white metal which is extremely hard. Over time this rhodium plating may wear off, revealing the original metal color. Re-plating is a simple process that can be done to restore your jewelry's whiteness if needed.
[add a picture] Customers who viewed this item also viewed: Diamond Care, Precious Metal Guide

TopBack to Top

 

Yellow Gold
Gold has been used for jewelry for decades. Its value, beauty, strength and malleability is what make it so popular. Gold will never tarnish, rust, or corrode. While naturally yellow, various alloys are commonly added to gold to create white gold and rose gold. Products made from gold are marked to show how much actual gold is contained in the product:

  • 24 karat = 100% gold, too soft for jewelry
  • 22 karat = 91.7% gold, very soft, rarely used for jewelry
  • 18 karat = 75% gold, recommended for jewelry
  • 14 karat = 58.5% gold, recommended for jewelry
  • 10 karat = 41.7% gold, the legal minimum karatage considered real gold in the US.
  • Customers who viewed this item also viewed: Alloy, Gold, Gold Educatio,White Gold
TopBack to Top

 
Sign-up for promotion!
Sometimes it's just as fun to window shop. Indulge in our mailing list to learn more about our future promotions.
Sign Up