Glossary of Terms

Baguette: Small, rectangular shaped diamond often used to enhance the setting of a larger, center stone.

Bar Setting: In this type of diamond setting, a thin bar separates 2 stones.

Bezel Setting: In this type of setting, a rim is used to hold the stones and completely surround it. It often makes the center stone look larger and can protect the girdle of the diamond from being chipped or cracked.

Brilliance: The total amount of light from the interior and exterior surfaces of the diamond. It is the direct result of the cut proportions and polish of the diamond.

Carat: The standardized unit of weight for diamonds. (see carat weight reference).

Certification (Cert): This diamond quality report is prepared by a Certified Gemologist and describes and grades the diamond's specific cut, color and clarity characteristics as well as stating the carat weight to 2 decimal places. However, it is not a guarantee, valuation or appraisal.

Channel Setting: A number of small stones of uniform size are set into a row or channel with no metal separating them.

Comfort Fit: The shank of the ring is rounded in a dome shape on the inside to maximize comfort and wearability.

Cut: Cut refers not to the shape of the diamond, but to the angles, proportions and faceting arrangements of the stone.

Facets: The angled planes of a cut diamond that direct rays of light into the diamond. The light is then reflected outward creating the diamond's brilliance.

Fancy Cut: A diamond cut other than round, such as marquise, princess, emerald, trillion, pear, heart or cushion.

Flawless: A diamond with absolutely no internal or external imperfections visible to a professional eye under a 10x power magnification using a binocular microscope.

Fire: The intense rainbow of colors that radiate from a well-cut diamond.

Mounting: The platinum, palladium or gold setting that a gemstone is set into for both security and decorative purposes.

Pave: Diamonds set directly into the metal by lifting a very small amount of metal around the stone to create a prong. This creates a total diamond look across the surface.

Micro Pave: The setting above, actually done under a microscope, since diamonds are so small, the metal and stones must be magnified in order to see them and lift the metal for setting. 

Prong Setting: In this type of setting, four to six metal "claws" or fingers grasp onto the diamond and hold it away from the band while keeping it securely in place. This setting allows for the fullest amount of light to enter the diamond so that it can exhibit maximum brilliance and sparkle.

Shank: The part of the ring that wraps around the finger.

Shape: The finished form of a diamond:

• Round brilliant cut

• Princess- square

• Emerald cut -rectangular

• Cushion- square with rounded corners

• Pear shaped

• Oval

• Marquise - oblong with pointed ends

• Trillion

• Heart

Solitaire: The mounting of a single (solitary) diamond, any shape.

Table: The large facet on the top of the diamond's crown.