Choosing an engagement ring or wedding band is one of life’s most exciting and meaningful moments — but it can also feel overwhelming with so many terms, designs, metals, and settings to explore. From halo to hidden halo, lab-grown diamonds to natural diamonds, and solitaire to three-stone, understanding the vocabulary behind fine jewelry helps you make a confident, informed decision.
This A-to-Z Engagement Ring and Wedding Band Vocabulary by OKG Jewelry is your ultimate guide. Whether you’re buying your first engagement ring, designing a custom piece, or learning the difference between diamond cuts and carats, you’ll find every key term explained clearly and simply.
A
Accent Stones – Small diamonds or gemstones set around the main center stone to enhance brilliance and design. Accent stones often appear in halo or pavé settings.
Anniversary Band – A ring, typically featuring diamonds or gemstones, given to celebrate an anniversary. It’s often worn alongside a wedding band or engagement ring.
Antique Ring – A ring that is over 100 years old. Antique engagement rings often feature hand-crafted details and vintage diamond cuts such as Old Mine or Rose Cut.
Art Deco Style – Jewelry design popular in the 1920s–1930s, recognized by geometric lines, symmetry, and bold color contrasts. Art Deco engagement rings remain timeless and sophisticated.
Asscher Cut Diamond – A square diamond cut with cropped corners and step facets, similar to an emerald cut but more brilliant. Ideal for vintage-inspired engagement rings.
B
Band – The circular portion of a ring that encircles the finger. Bands can be plain metal or adorned with diamonds and gemstones.
Bezel Setting – A ring setting that encircles the diamond or gemstone with a thin metal rim for maximum protection and a modern look.
Birthstone – A gemstone associated with each month. Birthstone engagement rings or wedding bands can carry personal meaning and symbolism.
Bridal Set – A matching pair consisting of an engagement ring and a wedding band designed to complement each other.
Brilliance – The amount of light reflected from a diamond’s interior. A diamond with excellent brilliance appears lively and sparkling.
C
Carat (ct) – A unit of weight used for gemstones and diamonds. One carat equals 0.2 grams. Larger carats often mean higher value, but cut and clarity also influence beauty.
Cathedral Setting – A setting style where the band arches up to meet the center stone, resembling cathedral arches. It gives the illusion of a larger diamond.
Channel Setting – Diamonds are set closely together within a groove (channel) between two metal walls, often used in wedding bands for a sleek appearance.
Clarity – A measure of how many internal or external flaws (inclusions and blemishes) a diamond has. The clearer the stone, the rarer and more valuable it is.
Cluster Ring – A ring design featuring a group of smaller diamonds or gemstones arranged to look like a larger center stone.
Comfort Fit Band – A band with a rounded interior that feels smoother on the finger, ideal for daily wear.
Crown – The top part of a diamond, above the girdle. It affects how light enters and reflects from the stone.
Cushion Cut Diamond – A diamond shape with rounded corners and larger facets, resembling a pillow. Cushion cut engagement rings have a soft, romantic appeal.
Customization – The process of designing a one-of-a-kind engagement ring or wedding band, choosing metal, diamond, and design details unique to your love story.
D
Diamond – The most popular gemstone for engagement rings, prized for its brilliance, durability, and symbolism of everlasting love.
Diamond Certificate – A document issued by a gemological laboratory (like GIA or IGI) detailing the diamond’s 4Cs: cut, color, clarity, and carat.
Diamond Cut – Refers to how well a diamond’s facets interact with light. A perfect cut maximizes sparkle and brilliance.
Double Halo – A ring design featuring two concentric circles of small diamonds around the center stone, adding size and glamour.
Durability – The ability of a gemstone or metal to withstand wear and tear. Diamonds are the hardest natural material, rated 10 on the Mohs scale.
E
East-West Setting – A setting where an oval, emerald, or marquise-cut stone is set horizontally across the finger, offering a unique modern twist.
Eternity Band – A wedding or anniversary band featuring diamonds or gemstones that wrap around the entire ring, symbolizing eternal love.
Emerald Cut Diamond – A rectangular shape with long step facets that create a hall-of-mirrors effect. Elegant and understated, perfect for modern brides.
Engraving – Personalized text or symbols etched inside the band, such as initials, dates, or meaningful phrases.
Ethical Jewelry – Rings and jewelry made from responsibly sourced metals and conflict-free or lab-grown diamonds, ensuring sustainability and transparency.
F
Fancy Cut Diamond – Any diamond shape other than round, such as oval, pear, marquise, princess, or heart-shaped.
Filigree – Intricate metalwork detailing featuring delicate threads and beads of metal, common in vintage-style engagement rings.
Finger Size – The ring size measurement, usually between 3–13 for women and 7–14 for men. Proper sizing ensures comfort and security.
Fluorescence – A natural diamond property that causes a glow under UV light. Some prefer faint fluorescence for a softer appearance.
Four-Prong Setting – A classic design with four metal claws holding the center stone securely while allowing maximum light to enter.
G
Gemstone Engagement Ring – A ring featuring sapphires, emeralds, rubies, or other colored gems instead of (or alongside) diamonds.
GIA Certification – The Gemological Institute of America’s certification, one of the most trusted grading standards for diamonds.
Gold Purity (Karat) – Measured in karats (K), indicates the amount of pure gold in the alloy. Common purities include 14K, 18K, and 22K.
Girdle – The thin edge dividing the crown and pavilion of a diamond. It affects setting security and cut grade.
Graduated Band – A ring where diamond sizes gradually increase or decrease along the band for an elegant effect.
H
Halo Setting – A ring design where smaller diamonds surround a larger center stone, creating a dazzling halo effect and enhancing sparkle.
Hand-Engraved Rings – Rings decorated with designs carved by hand for a unique artisan look.
Heart-Shaped Diamond – A romantic fancy cut with a distinctive heart outline, symbolizing love and devotion.
Hidden Halo – A modern variation where small diamonds are set under the main stone’s base, adding sparkle visible from the side.
High Polish Finish – A mirror-like reflective finish on metal, commonly used for engagement rings and wedding bands.
I
IGI Certification – The International Gemological Institute certification, popular for lab-grown diamonds and jewelry sold online.
Illusion Setting – A setting technique that makes small diamonds appear larger by using reflective metal around the stones.
Inclusions – Natural imperfections inside diamonds, such as crystals or feathers, that affect clarity grade.
Infinity Band – A ring design featuring an infinity symbol or continuous circle of stones, representing never-ending love.
J
Jeweler’s Loupe – A magnifying lens used by jewelers to inspect diamonds and gemstones for quality and imperfections.
Jewelry Appraisal – A professional evaluation of a ring’s value for insurance or resale purposes.
Journey Ring – A design symbolizing a couple’s journey together, often featuring a line of diamonds increasing in size.
K
Karat (K) – A measure of gold purity. 24K is pure gold; 18K and 14K are commonly used in engagement rings for strength and color variety.
Knife-Edge Band – A band with a sharp ridge in the middle, adding dimension and a sleek, modern profile.
L
Lab-Grown Diamond – A diamond created in a laboratory with the same chemical and physical properties as a mined diamond. Eco-friendly, ethical, and affordable.
Lattice Design – Decorative metalwork resembling woven or crisscrossed patterns, popular in vintage-inspired designs.
Low-Profile Setting – A design where the diamond sits closer to the finger, offering comfort and practicality for active lifestyles.
Luster – The way metal or gemstone reflects light. High-luster metals like platinum and polished gold enhance brilliance.
M
Marquise Cut – A football-shaped diamond cut that elongates the finger and maximizes carat size visually.
Matching Bands – Wedding bands designed to perfectly fit alongside an engagement ring, forming a cohesive bridal set.
Micro-Pavé – A technique where tiny diamonds are set closely together with minimal metal visible, creating a continuous sparkle.
Milgrain – A decorative beaded detail along ring edges, adding texture and vintage charm.
Modern Setting – Contemporary ring designs with clean lines, minimal metal, and often featuring geometric diamond shapes.
N
Natural Diamond – A diamond formed deep within the Earth over billions of years. Each natural diamond is unique and timeless.
Nickel-Free Gold – An alloy free from nickel, ideal for sensitive skin and hypoallergenic wear.
O
Oval Cut Diamond – A brilliant cut shaped like an elongated circle, giving an illusion of longer fingers and exceptional sparkle.
Old Mine Cut – A vintage diamond cut used in the 18th–19th centuries, known for its cushion shape and romantic glow.
Open Gallery – The side view of the ring under the setting, often designed with open metalwork to allow more light through the diamond.
P
Pavé Setting – A style where small diamonds are set closely together with minimal metal showing, creating a “paved” look of continuous sparkle.
Pear Cut Diamond – A teardrop-shaped diamond combining the best of round and marquise cuts, elegant and feminine.
Petite Band – A thin, delicate band that highlights the center stone and offers a refined, dainty look.
Platinum – A rare, naturally white metal known for its strength and hypoallergenic properties. Perfect for engagement rings with long-lasting shine.
Prong Setting – Metal claws that hold the diamond securely in place. Common options include four- or six-prong styles.
Princess Cut Diamond – A square-shaped brilliant cut known for its fire and modern aesthetic.
Q
Quartz – A common gemstone variety, often used in jewelry for its range of colors and affordability.
Quality Assurance – The process of inspecting and verifying craftsmanship and material authenticity in fine jewelry.
R
Radiant Cut Diamond – A rectangular or square shape combining step and brilliant cuts for intense sparkle.
Refurbished Ring – A pre-owned ring restored to like-new condition through professional cleaning and polishing.
Ring Profile – The shape of the ring’s outer and inner surface, affecting comfort and appearance.
Rose Cut Diamond – An antique diamond cut with a flat base and domed top covered in triangular facets.
Rose Gold – A gold alloy mixed with copper, giving a romantic pink hue. Rose gold engagement rings are modern yet timeless.
Round Diamond Cut – The most popular diamond cut with 58 facets that maximize sparkle and fire.
S
Satin Finish – A soft, matte surface finish that diffuses light, giving a subtle, elegant appearance.
Setting – The structure that holds a gemstone in place. Common settings include prong, bezel, pavé, and halo.
Shank – The lower portion of the ring’s band. It can be plain, split, or adorned with diamonds.
Side Stones – Additional diamonds or gemstones set beside the center stone for added brilliance.
Signature Collection – A brand’s exclusive line of engagement rings and wedding bands, designed with unique craftsmanship and premium materials.
Solitaire – A classic engagement ring featuring a single center diamond, emphasizing simplicity and elegance.
Stackable Rings – Slim bands designed to be worn together for a layered, personalized look.
T
Three-Stone Engagement Ring – Features three diamonds representing the past, present, and future of a relationship.
Titanium – A lightweight, durable metal commonly used for men’s wedding bands.
Tungsten – A modern metal known for its scratch resistance and sleek, contemporary finish.
U
Under Gallery – The underside of the setting where detailing or hidden halos may be added for extra beauty and structure.
Unique Engagement Ring – A one-of-a-kind design that reflects personal style, often with custom details or rare gemstones.
V
V-Prong – A prong shape used for protecting sharp corners of diamonds like princess or marquise cuts.
Vintage-Inspired Engagement Rings – New rings designed with antique elements like filigree, milgrain, and hand engraving.
VVS Clarity – “Very, Very Slightly Included” — a diamond clarity grade with extremely small inclusions visible only under magnification.
W
Wedding Band – The ring exchanged during a wedding ceremony, symbolizing unity and eternal love.
White Gold – An alloy of gold mixed with white metals like palladium or silver, often rhodium-plated for a bright white shine.
Width – The measurement of a band’s thickness, affecting comfort and style.
X
X-Factor Setting – A unique term used by designers to describe a creative, unconventional setting that enhances the diamond’s individuality.
Y
Yellow Gold – The classic, warm-toned metal made from pure gold alloyed with copper and silver. Ideal for vintage or timeless ring designs.
Yellow Diamond – A fancy-colored diamond with sunny hues ranging from light lemon to intense canary tones.
Z
Zero-Gap Fit – A perfectly contoured wedding band designed to sit flush against the engagement ring without any visible space.
Zircon – A natural gemstone known for brilliance and fire, often used as an alternative to diamonds in affordable jewelry.
Final Thoughts
From Asscher cut to Zero-gap fit, every term in this jewelry vocabulary brings you one step closer to understanding the artistry and meaning behind engagement rings and wedding bands. Whether you dream of a lab-grown diamond halo ring, a vintage-inspired yellow gold band, or a custom three-stone design, knowing these details helps you make an informed and confident choice.
At OKG Jewelry, we’re passionate about helping you find the perfect ring that tells your story — beautifully crafted, ethically sourced, and designed to last a lifetime.
💍 Explore our full collection of ready-to-buy engagement rings and wedding bands, or create your custom diamond ring with the guidance of our experienced jewelers.
Since 1969, our family of multi-generation jewelry masters has been crafting fine jewelry with precision, love, and care. Each piece we create — from timeless solitaire engagement rings to one-of-a-kind bespoke designs — reflects decades of craftsmanship and passion for perfection.
Visit OKG Jewelry to discover your dream ring or design your own — and let us bring your vision to life.
