TERMINOLOGY

Asscher Cut: Stone shape named after the world-renowned cutter Joseph Asscher; square with cut corners
Baguette: rectangular-shaped step cut most commonly used to complement larger center stones
Bezel: setting in which metal rim secures a stone at the girdle; permits light-throwing abilities while protecting the stone
Black Diamond Color: colored stone saturated with graphite inclusions
Brilliant-cut: triangular-shaped facets, typically numbering 57, pointed toward the outer part of the gem cut stone
Canary: fancy color stones with an intense or vivid yellow color
Carat (ct.): unit of metric measurement used for stones; one carat equals .2 grams, or .007 ounces
Clarity: internal and external characteristics of a diamond visible under 10x magnification
Clasp: closure used in bracelets and necklaces for security
Color: rating of the degree of color of a stone
Crown: portion of faceted area above the girdle
Crown Angle: relationship of the crown to the girdle; measured in degrees
Culet: small facet polished at the bottom of the pavilion
Cushion: square shape with rounded corners
Cut: refers to shape and/or quality of cut
Emerald: cut shaped after the way emerald gemstones are cut; shorter in length than a proper rectangle
Facet: flat, polished surface on a stone
Fancy Color: color in a stone that increases the stone's value
Fancy Shapes: any shape other than round-cut Finish:
Fire: light that enters a stone and is then returned to the viewer
Fluorescence: light emitted from a stone when the stone is exposed to UV light; often a blue hue
Girdle: band across widest part of a stone; divides the crown and pavilion
Grams: unit of weight measurement; used for metal weights
Heart: a pear-cut with two rounded edges instead of one
Illumine, Star and Alight stones are grade AAA diamond simulates
Marquise: twice as long as it is wide with pointed ends; named after Marquise de Pompadour's smile
Oval: elongated round-cut stone
Pave': multiple small mille stones set as closely together as possible in two or more rows
Pavilion: portion faceted below the girdle
Pear: Stone-cut comprised of the brilliant round-cut and marquise-cuts; resembling tear drop
Principle Alloy is the alloy of copper and zinc combined to form Brass; Brass is a substitutional alloy. It is used for decoration for its bright gold-like appearance
Prong: setting type in which stones are held in place by fine metal prongs
Radiant: square to rectangular stone shape with cut corners
Reflection: immediate reflection of light given off by a stones surface
Refraction: light that bounces off the internal wall(s) of the stone
Rhodium: process in which a metal is dipped in a protective alloy to prevent tarnishing and make the metal white
Rough: any uncut stone
Round: round-shaped brilliant-cut stone
Scintillation: reflections from the facets of a stone seen as the stone is turned in the light
Solitaire: a ring containing a single stone
White Gold: gold mixed with white metals such as silver, palladium, or nickel
Yellow Gold: natural color of pure gold usually mixed with other metals (to dilute purity)