Definitions - Glossary
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Agapi
Our Agapi Collection is named in honour of the greatest thing in the world – Love. ‘Agapi’ (in literature also spelled ‘Agape’) is the Greek word for love.
Alloy
Alloy is a combination of two or more metals, or a metal combined with one or more other elements.
Amber
Amber is an organic gemstone formed by the hardened resin of pine trees. This hardened resin often contains insects or plant fragments, creating a fascinating time capsule. Amber is commonly yellow and orange in tones. A reddish hued amber is less common.
Baby Shower
A Baby Shower is a gathering that celebrates the expected birth of a child. Gift-giving is a large part of a Baby Shower.
Birthstone
A birthstone is a gemstone that typically represents the month of a person’s birth.
For a birthstone guide, please click here.
Black Rhodium Plated
Rhodium is a resilient precious metal. In its natural form, rhodium is a bright silvery colour, often used to enhance the appearance of other metals. Black rhodium, however, is an alloy that combines rhodium with other metals to create a distinctive gunmetal look.
Cabochon
A cabochon is a shaped and polished gemstone typically rounded with a flat reverse.
Carat (ct)
A carat (ct.) or (K) is a standard measure of the purity of gold, pure gold being 24 carats, or a unit of weight for gemstones and pearls.
Crystal
Crystal is high quality glass formed into a solid shape stone, with a very clear appearance.
Cucic Zirconia
Cubic zirconia is a hard synthesized material, optically flawless with a strongly refracted transparency. It can be be made in a variety of different colours, but its usually colourless.
Cubic zirconia is a stone with high durability and a close resemblance to the diamond.
D
D-Shaped Profile
D-Shaped refers to the profile of the ring's band and is curved on the outside and flat on the inside. 
ECB
The ECB is the European Central Bank. Smith & George uses the ECB’s exchange rate in order to project prices in currencies other than GBP (£).
Engraving
Engraving is the process of marking something, using the art of cutting, onto the surface of metal.
Evil Eye
The Evil Eye is also known as the Nazar. Across many cultures, and over hundreds of years, the Evil Eye is the belief that someone can give you a metaphorical evil glare, sending bad luck your way. Due to this belief, an Evil Eye bead or stone is displayed in houses in order to ward off the bad luck. Another way thought to offer protection, is by wearing Evil Eye jewellery.
Filigree
Filigree is a type of intricate, lace-like metalwork used in jewellery.
Flat Profile
Flat refers to the ring's band profile, of which all sides are flat. 
Freshwater Pearls
Freshwater pearls are farmed organic gems that grow within freshwater mussels.
Gemstone
A gemstone, gem, precious stone or semi-precious stone are all the same thing and the varying definitions are often used synonymously and interchangeably. A gemstone is a fragment of mineral crystal that is typically cut and polished to give it a smooth surface.
Gold Plated
Gold plated jewellery is achieved by the method, known as plating, of depositing a thin layer of gold onto the surface of another metal, very often silver.
Hallmark
Hallmark is the authorised stamp found on items of gold, silver and platinum. The hallmark indicates the authenticity and standard of the precious metal, and is awarded after independent tests by an official assay office.
Halo Profile
Halo refers to the profile of the ring's band, which has a circular shape. 
Lacedaemonian
A native of the ancient Greek area of Lacedaemon, which includes the city of Sparta.
Lambda
Lambda (Λ) is a letter from the Greek alphabet, the transliteral equivalent of the English ‘L’.
Matte Finish
Matte finish is used to describe a surface that is non-reflective.
Mother of Pearl
Mother of Pearl, also known as ‘Nacre’, is a material produced by some molluscs as a shiny inner shell layer. Pearls are composed of this material, which is hardy and iridescent.
Oxidised Sterling Silver
Oxidised Sterling Silver, or blackened silver, is silver that has been intentionally darkened using a tarnishing process.
Pendulum
A pendulum is something that swings freely under the influence of gravity.
Plating
Plating is the process whereby a thin layer of metal is deposited on the surface of a substrate.
Polished
In jewellery terms, something polished has been made smooth with a highly reflective, shiny look. The surface is worked until it is almost mirror like.
Rhodium Plated
Rhodium plating is a process that is used to increase the sheen, durability and shine of jewellery.
Rose Gold Plated
Something that is rose gold plated has had its base metal covered with a thin layer of rose gold.
Setting
Setting, in jewellery terms, is the way in which a gemstone, or other foreign elements applied, is fixed onto a piece of jewellery.
Solid Design
Solid design refers to a piece of jewellery that is not hollow, solid in its entirety.
Sparta
Sparta is an ancient city in the Peloponnese region of southern Greece.
Sterling Silver
Sterling silver is an alloy that contains 92,5% of pure silver, hence the hallmark 925.
VAT
VAT is value-added tax. The current UK VAT rate is 20%.
White Gold
White gold is an alloy of gold that is created by an admixture of pure gold and alloy metals that have a bright silvery-white hue, such as platinum, palladium and smaller amounts of silver. The purity of white gold is given in carats.
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