Buyers Guide to Jewellery Jargon

We won’t bombard you with a full glossary just yet – that may be a little overwhelming! Firstly, let’s cut through the jargon of some of our buyers’ favourite pieces that we are sure will be relatable to many, and help you to understand not only the terminology, but what this means to you.

This 18ct yellow gold 1ct diamond solitaire ring pertains to our Goldsmiths Brightest Diamond collection. This luxurious classic style ring would make the perfect engagement ring, with its 88 facets inviting superb brilliance to the diamond.

What does this really mean to you?

The process of faceting applies to the way in which a rough gemstone is cut to achieve the scintillating sparkle we see in its final setting. A standard round brilliant cut diamond has 58 facets, and these smooth and angular surfaces are cut in such a way to help the diamond absorb and reflect light to optimize its sparkle. Goldsmiths Brightest Diamonds have been meticulously cut into a pattern boasting 88 facets. The depth provided by these extra facets ensures that a dazzling flow of light flows through and your diamond will shine superbly from all angles. If you’re looking for sparkle, then this ring could be for you!

This GIA certified platinum 1 carat diamond solitaire ring makes a classic statement for any bride-to-be that is looking for a single stone to be the hero of the ring.

What does this really mean to you?

The GIA (or Gemological Institute of America) is the global leading authority on diamonds. Diamonds that come with GIA certification present you with detailed overview of your diamond’s cut, colour, clarity and carat, documenting its unique characteristics so that you can make a well-informed decision on your purchase. This should not of course take away the personal feeling you may have about a particular diamond. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder, but if you seek the knowledge behind the beauty then GIA certified diamonds may be for you.

This beautiful platinum shaped wedding band features 0.75 cttw of beautiful brilliant cut diamonds that gracefully embrace the shape of your engagement ring.

What does this really mean to you?

The acronym ‘cttw’ represents ‘carats total weight’ and is sometimes used to illustrate that the carat weight specified doesn’t apply to each individual stone, it applies to the weight of the diamonds in their entirety. Therefore, in this case, the diamonds together amount to 0.75cttw. Depending on your choice of engagement ring, you make need to look at shaped wedding bands. Engagement rings with unusual settings or large central stones can struggle to sit seamlessly against a standard wedding band, leaving a small gap that might not be the finished look you seek. Our showroom experts will be happy to advise you if a shaped wedding band might be a more suitable fit and show you a selection of assorted designs.

This delicate platinum shaped wedding band is set with 0.33cttw of pear and marquise cut diamonds that present a delicate and regal silhouette.

What does this really mean to you?

If you’re looking for a shaped diamond wedding band and don’t feel like a round brilliant cut is for you then there are so many other options to explore. Here, the front of the wedding band is set with pear shaped diamonds which have a very distinguished shape with a silhouette that presents a hybrid between a round brilliant, and marquise cut stone. The marquise cut stones that surround them complement the pear shape and the elongated shape that the marquise cut possesses gives the illusion of a bigger stone. If you’re looking for a unique shaped wedding band that gives the appearance of larger stones, then this shaped band is an ideal starting point to try with your engagement ring.

These 18ct white gold diamond stud earrings and matching pendant are from our Goldsmiths Brightest Diamond collection. The 0.60cttw round halo diamond stud earrings are complemented beautifully by 0.50cttw round halo pendant and will make a timeless gift for yourself or a lucky recipient.

What does this really mean to you?

So, we’ve covered the benefits of Goldsmiths Brightest Diamond and the meaning behind cttw, but what is a halo? A halo represents a type of diamond setting that features a hero centre stone surrounded by smaller round brilliant stones that give the illusion of a larger centre stone. If you’re looking for the appearance of a large diamond but don’t have the budget to match, then explore halo designs.

These 18ct white gold 1cttw diamond solitaire stud earrings and matching solitaire 1ct diamond pendant are presented in a 4-prong setting. This classic suite of diamond jewellery exudes elegance and has a timeless appeal.

What does this really mean to you?

A solitaire refers to jewellery set with a singular diamond and is most frequently seen in engagement rings. A 4-prong setting secures the diamond in a basket-like shape, allowing light to enter from all sides of the diamond to maximise fire and brilliance. This beautiful set of diamond jewellery will sparkle effortlessly.