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Jewelry terminology seems to be one of those insider pieces of information that many people have heard in passing but cannot seem to find the definitions for, until now. This jewelry terminology dictionary is for the most important terms to remember when looking to sell gold jewelry or jewelry of any kind. Goldfellow, jewelry buyers for more than 25 years, has created this guide to make your life easier when trying to buy or sell your jewelry!
What is a Karat?
The reason many of you are here, jewelry terminology doesn’t get any more popular and famous than the Karat. That is one of the jewelry terms used to describe the purity of a gold piece, ranging from 0-24 Karats, 0 being the worst level of purity, and 24 the highest purchasable level at about 99.9% purity. The most common karats are 10K, 14K, and 18K gold.
10K Gold:
Roughly 42% gold and 58% other alloys.
14K Gold:
This gold is 58.5% pure with 41.5% other alloys.
18K Gold:
75% pure gold and 25% other alloys. That is where most luxury gold sets lie.
What Are Some Important Vocabulary Words for Jewelry?
Jewelry terms and abbreviations stretch far beyond just Karats, there are many other industry terms to consider studying before you start looking to sell your jewelry.
Abrasion: Damage, such as bruises and scratches, to the surface of a stone.
Accent: The “attention-grabbing” part of the piece.
Alloy: Several metals fused together.
Two-Tone: Jewelry that displays two separate metals.
Tutti Frutti: Multi-colored leaves covered in gemstones displayed on the piece.
Table: The cap of a faceted gemstone’s crown.
Table Percentage: How much of the table a gemstone takes up.
Simulated Stone: A catch-all term for replicated gemstones made of a synthetic substance.
Single Cut Diamond: A real diamond, usually used in watches and only has one facet.
Point: 0.01 Karats.
There are, of course, many other jewelry sayings to learn, but these are by far the ones that you’ll want to know first. Jewelry terminology is like a language, constantly adding new words while taking older ones away. These are the reliable mainstays, however.
Where Can You Sell Jewelry at the Best Price?
If you are looking at the possibility of selling jewelry online, be sure to contact Goldfellow! Our experts offer excellent prices and ease of sale that no other jewelry buyers can replicate. Be sure to read some of our jewelry articles to learn more about the industry, cultural trends in jewelry, and much more.
