search
  • Sign In
    Sign Up
  • English speaking customer support only

    Toll Free - USA & Canada only:
    1-800-464-1640

    International:
    +66-39609697

  • Change Language
  • USD

Fine Jewelry

Colored Gemstone Butterfly Brooch
Colored Gemstone Butterfly Brooch

There are several different terms used to refer to gemstone jewelry. For example, costume jewelry, fashion jewelry, couture jewelry, fine jewelry, luxury jewelry and high jewelry, to name just a few. But what do they all mean?

Costume jewelry used to refer to jewelry of lesser value or imitation items, but now the term has expanded to accommodate the word "fashion", and costume and fashion jewelry are simply defined as adornments that are designed or worn to be in style. These jewels may be made from high quality materials by hand, or they could be produced from inexpensive materials and mass-produced. A related term introduced by fashion houses is "couture" jewelry, which also refers to fashion jewelry. Couture or fashion jewelry can be of considerable value, especially if it is produced by a famous fashion designer.

Another term for jewelry is "fine" jewelry. This used to be a generally accepted term for jewelry made from precious metals and precious gemstones. But the gemstones that are traditionally thought of as "precious"; diamond, sapphire, ruby and emerald, are not necessarily the most valuable gemstones. In fact, imperial jade, imperial topaz, tanzanite, aquamarine, pearls and several other gems are just as sought-after and high value.

Pearl Earrings
Pearl Earrings

When it comes to precious metals, for "fine" jewelry, the lines are also blurring. Alternative metals are becoming more popular, which means that the definition of "fine" jewelry is evolving into something different.

Some consider fine jewelry to be an art form. This means that each piece is painstakingly produced by hand, rather than mass-produced by machines. There seems to be a fine line between fashion jewelry and fine jewelry. According to the dictionary, for something to be fine, it should be of superior quality, skill or appearance. Yet, it could also be carefully or delicately made, refined and elegant, or excellent in quality. There are differences of opinion when it comes to a clear definition of fine jewelry.

"Luxury" is an additional word that is used to refer to jewelry. Like the word "fine", this is another term that is open to interpretation. If something is a luxury, then it is not a necessity. Therefore all jewelry could be considered luxury items. However, another opinion is that only the most sumptuous, indulgent or extraordinary pieces should be referred to as luxury jewelry.

Gold, Sapphire and Diamond Bracelet
Gold, Sapphire and Diamond Bracelet

Alternatively, the word "high" is used for jewelry, meaning "high-end" jewelry. This is also known by the French term "haute joaillerie". This would indicate expensive jewelry that appeals to sophisticated or discerning customers. Yet, doesn't every customer consider their choices to be discerning? This could invite jewelers to put a high price tag onto jewelry items to market them as "high" jewelry.

To conclude, as they say, beauty is in the eye of the beholder. The ways in which jewelry is defined depend upon personal opinion and preferences. Perhaps the only way to truly define jewelry is not by its price tag, but by considering the following: The gemstones used and their type, color, clarity, carat weight, cutting style and scarcity. Also, the types of metals used, the amount and purity level. Lastly, the workmanship should be taken into account, since true works of art require extra attention to detail.

  • First Published: July-14-2015
  • Last Updated: November-06-2018
STAY IN TOUCH
*You're signing up to receive GemSelect promotional email.

Privacy Notice © 2005-2023 GemSelect.com all rights reserved.

Reproduction (text or graphics) without the express written consent of GemSelect.com (SETT Company Ltd.) is strictly prohibited.

2615

More Shapes
Popular Gemstones
  • Sapphire
  • Emerald
  • Ruby
  • Aquamarine
  • Zircon
  • Opal
  • Topaz
  • Tourmaline
  • Garnet
  • Amethyst
  • Citrine
  • Tanzanite
All Gemstones (142)
A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T V Z
  • Actinolite Cat's Eye
  • Agate
  • Agate Geode
  • Alexandrite
  • Almandine Garnet
  • Amazonite
  • Amethyst
  • Amethyst Geode Slice
  • Ametrine
  • Ammolite
  • Andalusite
  • Andesine Labradorite
  • Apatite
  • Aquamarine
  • Aventurine
  • Azurite
  • Black Opal
  • Bloodstone
  • Boulder Opal
  • Carnelian
  • Cat's Eye Apatite
  • Cat's Eye Aquamarine
  • Cat's Eye Gemstones
  • Cat's Eye Moonstone
  • Cat's Eye Opal
  • Cat's Eye Scapolite
  • Chalcedony
  • Charoite
  • Chocolate Opal
  • Chrome Diopside
  • Chrome Tourmaline
  • Chrysoberyl
  • Chrysoberyl Cat's Eye
  • Chrysocolla
  • Chrysoprase
  • Citrine
  • Color Change Gemstones
  • Color-Change Diaspore
  • Color-Change Fluorite
  • Color-Change Garnet
  • Coral
  • Demantoid Garnet
  • Dendritic Agate
  • Diamond
  • Druzy Amethyst
  • Druzy Azurite
  • Druzy Variscite
  • Emerald
  • Enstatite
  • Fire Agate
  • Fire Opal
  • Fluorite
  • Fossil Coral
  • Garnet
  • Golden Beryl
  • Grandidierite
  • Grossularite Garnet
  • Hawk's Eye
  • Hematite
  • Hemimorphite
  • Hemimorphite Druzy
  • Hessonite Garnet
  • Howlite
  • Idocrase
  • Imperial Topaz
  • Iolite
  • Jade Gemstones
  • Jadeite
  • Jasper
  • Kornerupine
  • Kunzite
  • Kyanite
  • Labradorite
  • Lapis Lazuli
  • Larimar
  • Malachite
  • Malaya Garnet
  • Mali Garnet
  • Maw-Sit-Sit
  • Moonstone
  • Morganite
  • Mother Of Pearl
  • Mystic Topaz
  • Nuummite
  • Obsidian
  • Onyx
  • Opal
  • Opal Doublet
  • Opal In Matrix
  • Pearl
  • Peridot
  • Pietersite
  • Prehnite
  • Pyrite
  • Pyrope Garnet
  • Quartz
  • Quartz Cat's Eye
  • Quartz With Hedenbergite
  • Quartz With Marcasite
  • Rainbow Moonstone
  • Rainbow Pyrite
  • Rhodochrosite
  • Rhodolite Garnet
  • Rose Quartz
  • Rubellite Tourmaline
  • Ruby
  • Ruby In Fuchsite
  • Ruby-Zoisite
  • Rutile Quartz
  • Sapphire
  • Scapolite
  • Scolecite
  • Seraphinite
  • Serpentine
  • Sillimanite
  • Sillimanite Cat's Eye
  • Smithsonite
  • Smoky Quartz
  • Snowflake Obsidian
  • Sodalite
  • Spectrolite
  • Spessartite Garnet
  • Sphene
  • Spinel
  • Star Diopside
  • Star Garnet
  • Star Gemstones
  • Star Moonstone
  • Star Rose Quartz
  • Star Ruby
  • Star Sapphire
  • Strawberry Quartz
  • Sunstone
  • Tanzanite
  • Tiger's Eye
  • Tiger's Eye Matrix
  • Topaz
  • Tourmaline
  • Tsavorite Garnet
  • Turquoise
  • Variscite
  • Zircon
Main Categories
  • New Arrivals
  • Gemstone Lots
  • Calibrated Gemstones
  • Gemstones By Piece
  • Top Grade Gems
  • Matching Pairs
  • Cabochon Gemstones
  • Drilled Gems, Briolettes and Beads
  • Birthstones
  • Gemstone Carvings
  • Fancy Gemstones
  • Star Gemstones
  • Unheated Sapphire
English speaking customer support only

Toll Free - USA & Canada only:
1-800-464-1640

International:
+66-39609697

Save Money
No shipping Fees for Additional Items!
$8.90 Worldwide Shipping

Update Translation
 
Current Value
New Value
GemSelect Gemstones
X Close Window
Colored Gemstones
X Close Window
Colored Gemstones
X Close Window
Colored Gemstones
Size and Weight

Gems are always measured in Millimeter (mm)

Dimensions are given as;
length x width x depth,
except for round stones which are;
diameter x depth

Select gems by size, not by weight!
Gem varieties vary in density, so carat weight is not a good indication of size

Note: 1ct = 0.2g

Size Comparison Chart