Major Jewellery Categories

Below are some major jewellery categories.

Ancient jewellery - Jewellery produced during centuries B.C. or early centuries A.D. items. It also refers to North and South American jewellery of a pre-conquest era. For example, Mayan and Peruvian jewellery from before the Spanish Conquest, or American Indian artefacts from before the Western exploration and expansions, would be included in this category.

Antique jewellery - Jewellery produced before 1900 and using the older methods. Antique jewellery pieces are primarily from the Georgian and Victorian styles. Some people define antique jewellery as jewellery produced before 1830, at the beginning of the Industrial Revolution.

Beads - Small pieces of material that are pierced for threading on string or wire. Beads could be made of any materials, although common materials include glass, gemstones, and pearls.

Cabochon gemstones - A gem, bead, or stone cut in a convex form and highly polished. This is a subcategory of gemstones.

Cameos - Layered stones with a design engraved on the top layer, and the remainder carved to reveal the next layer. Cameos can be carved in shell, lava, or coral. Cameos used for jewellery are often carved heads.

Collectible jewellery - Jewellery pieces made in the early 20th century (Edwardian, Arts and Crafts Movement, Art Nouveau, Art Deco, and Retro styles).

Costume jewellery - Any jewellery that does not use precious materials like karat gold, genuine stones, or silver. Coco Chanel has been credited with coining the term "costume jewellery" for the jewellery that she created to coordinate with her fashions or "costumes."

Diamond - A precious gemstone made of carbon, that is often colourless. Click here for more information about diamonds.

Ethnographic jewellery - Jewellery that is specific to a particular culture or ethnic group.

Fine jewellery - Jewellery that is made from precious metals and gemstones. Precious metals are generally defined as gold, platinum, and silver.

Gemstones - Gemstones are minerals or petrified materials that are cut and polished, often to be used as jewellery. Diamonds, alexandrite, tourmaline, and garnets are examples of gemstones. Click here for more information about gemstones.

Faceted gemstones - Gemstones that are cut with a flat surface.

Gold - The word "gold," used by itself, means all gold or 24 karat (24K) gold. Because 24K gold is so soft, it's usually mixed with other metals to increase its hardness and durability. Click here for more information about gold.

Pearls - Natural or real pearls are made by oysters and other mollusks. Cultured pearls are also made by mollusks, but with human intervention; that is, an irritant introduced into the shell causes a pearl to grow. Click here for more information about pearls.

Period jewellery - Jewellery less than 100 years old, that is no longer made, but can be categorised by its specific style and quality of craftsmanship.

Platinum - A precious metal that is usually mixed with other similar metals, known as the platinum group metals: iridium, palladium, ruthenium, rhodium, and osmium. Click here for more information about platinum.

Silver or sterling silver - Describes a product that contains 92.5% silver. Click here for more information about silver.

Victorian jewellery - Jewellery from the reign of England's Queen Victoria, 1837-1901. Queen Victoria influenced many styles of jewellery that are specific to her reign.

Vintage jewellery - Previously-owned jewellery that can be from any period of time.

Watches - Any timepieces that are wearable or portable.