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Glossary Of Terms


Claw Setting

This is a type of setting where multiple claws hold a stone into a setting. There is no metal underneath the stone.

Pave Setting

Grain setting

Rub Over Setting

Stones set without claws.

Channel Setting

Stones set in a channel

Shank

This is the bottom part of the ring.

Head

This is the top part of the ring.

Shoulder

Metal either side of the head

Porous Item

During the casting process small pockets of air have entered the metal creating small holes which in turn makes the metal weak.

Rhodium Plating

A finish applied to all white gold items. In time the rhodium plating will wear off and the true colour of the metal will become visible. You can have items rhodium plated again. The process involves polishing the item to remove any old rhodium and to even out scratches and then re-applying fresh rhodium.

Diamond Clarity

This relates to the inclusions (natural marks) in the stone, the closer to Flawless you get the less inclusions there are and the harder they are to see under magnification.

FL Diamond

Flawless

IF Diamond

Internally Flawless

VVS1 to VVS2 Diamond

Very Very Slightly Included

VS1 to VS2 Diamond

Very Slightly Included - this is the most popular of the clarities

I1 to I3 Diamond

Included

SI1-SI2 Diamond

Slightly Included

PK Diamond

Pique (Inclusions easily visable to the naked eye)

Diamond Colour

Most diamonds look white to the untrained eye, however there are still classifications regarding colour. These are represented by letters ranging from D-Z. D,E,F- Rare and expensive, offering the purest tints.