By: DHARIN
This glossary covers the essential terminology you will encounter when exploring lab-grown diamond and cultivated gemstone fine jewelry. From grading standards and precious metals to setting styles and ordering details, each entry is written to help you make informed, confident decisions. It is designed for anyone considering a DHARIN piece or learning about lab-grown stones for the first time.
- 14K Solid Gold
- An alloy composed of 58.5% pure gold mixed with strengthening metals throughout the entire piece, with no base-metal core. Unlike vermeil or gold plating, 14K solid gold will not wear away over time. It can be resized, polished, and passed down, making it DHARIN's most enduring metal tier.
- 18K Gold Vermeil
- Sterling silver electroplated with a layer of 18-karat gold at least 2.5 microns thick, meeting the legal standard for vermeil set by the FTC. This is significantly thicker than standard gold plating and uses a precious-metal base rather than brass. Vermeil offers the warmth of real gold at a more accessible price point, though the gold layer may gradually wear with daily use.
- Bezel Setting
- A setting style in which a continuous metal rim encircles the stone, holding it securely in place. Bezel settings offer strong protection for the stone's edges and produce a clean, architectural silhouette. They are well suited to rings and pendants intended for everyday wear.
- Brilliance
- The white light reflected back to the eye from a diamond's interior and surface facets. Brilliance is one of the primary optical qualities assessed when determining cut grade. A well-cut lab-grown diamond returns light efficiently, appearing bright and lively even in low lighting.
- Carat Weight
- The standard unit of mass for diamonds and gemstones, where one carat equals 0.2 grams. Carat weight measures a stone's size by weight, not its visual diameter, so two stones of the same carat weight can appear different sizes depending on cut and shape. When a product lists a single carat weight, it refers to one stone unless noted otherwise.
- Clarity Grade
- A rating that describes the presence and visibility of internal inclusions and surface blemishes in a diamond, graded on a scale from FL (flawless) to I3 (included). IGI applies this full scale to lab-grown diamonds and documents the grade on each grading report. Higher clarity grades indicate fewer visible characteristics under 10x magnification.
- Color Grade
- For white and near-colorless lab-grown diamonds, IGI grades color on the D-to-Z scale, where D is completely colorless and Z shows noticeable warmth. Stones closer to D appear icy and transparent, while those further along the scale carry a faint yellow or brown tint. The color grade is recorded on the IGI grading report.
- Cultivated Gemstone
- A colored gemstone, such as sapphire, emerald, or ruby, grown in a controlled laboratory environment rather than extracted from the earth. Cultivated gemstones share the same chemical composition, crystal structure, and optical properties as their mined counterparts. DHARIN uses this term to describe its lab-created colored stones.
- Cut Grade
- An assessment of how well a diamond's facets interact with light, graded from Excellent to Poor based on proportions, symmetry, and polish. Cut grade is distinct from shape: "round" describes the outline, while "Excellent" describes how precisely the facets are angled to maximize brilliance, fire, and scintillation. Of the 4Cs, cut has the greatest influence on a diamond's visual beauty.
- CVD (Chemical Vapor Deposition)
- One of two primary methods for growing diamonds in a laboratory. A thin diamond seed is placed in a sealed chamber filled with carbon-rich gas, which is heated until carbon atoms crystallize layer by layer onto the seed. The resulting diamond is chemically and physically identical to a mined diamond.
- Diamond Shape
- The geometric outline of a finished diamond, such as round, oval, emerald, cushion, or pear. Shape is a matter of personal style and design preference, not quality. It should not be confused with cut grade, which evaluates how well the stone's facets handle light regardless of its outline.
- Diamond Simulant
- Any material that resembles a diamond visually but is not a diamond in chemical composition. Common simulants include cubic zirconia and moissanite. Unlike lab-grown diamonds, simulants differ from diamond at the molecular level and do not share its hardness, refractive index, or thermal conductivity.
- Eternity Band
- A ring set with stones continuously around its full circumference, with no gaps in the line of gems. Eternity bands are traditionally associated with enduring commitment and are often worn alongside engagement rings or as standalone statement pieces. Stone settings in eternity bands typically use pavé, channel, or prong techniques.
- Gold Plating
- A very thin layer of gold, typically less than 0.5 microns, electroplated over a base metal such as brass. Gold plating wears away relatively quickly with regular use and is not the same as gold vermeil, which requires a sterling silver base and a gold layer at least five times thicker. Understanding this distinction helps set accurate expectations about longevity.
- Grading Report
- An independent document issued by a gemological laboratory, such as IGI, that records a stone's measurable qualities: carat weight, color, clarity, cut grade, and origin (lab-grown or mined). A grading report is not an appraisal of monetary value; it is a factual assessment of the stone itself. DHARIN includes IGI grading reports where specified on individual product listings.
- HPHT (High Pressure High Temperature)
- The second major method for growing diamonds in a laboratory, replicating the extreme pressure and heat found deep within the earth. A carbon source dissolves under these conditions and recrystallizes around a diamond seed. HPHT-grown diamonds are real diamonds, identical in every measurable way to those formed naturally.
- IGI (International Gemological Institute)
- An independent gemological laboratory and the leading certifier of lab-grown diamonds worldwide. IGI evaluates each stone's 4Cs, inscribes a report number on the girdle, and issues a detailed grading report. DHARIN includes IGI grading reports with specified products as a mark of verified quality.
- Karat (K)
- The unit used to express the purity of gold in an alloy, on a scale where 24K represents pure gold. 18K gold is 75% pure gold, while 14K gold is 58.5% pure gold, with the remaining percentage composed of strengthening metals. DHARIN uses 18K for its vermeil tier and 14K for its solid gold tier.
- Lab-Grown Diamond
- A diamond created in a controlled laboratory environment using CVD or HPHT technology. Lab-grown diamonds are chemically, physically, and optically identical to mined diamonds; they are real diamonds, not simulants. They are graded by the same standards and can be distinguished from mined stones only through specialized laboratory equipment.
- Made-to-Order
- A production model in which a piece is crafted only after a customer places an order, rather than drawn from existing inventory. Made-to-order pieces may involve longer lead times and specific return or exchange conditions. DHARIN's Atelier service operates on this model for custom commissions.
- Pavé Setting
- A technique in which small stones are set closely together across a surface, held by tiny prongs or beads of metal that are nearly invisible. The result is a continuous field of sparkle with minimal visible metal. Pavé is commonly used in eternity bands, tennis bracelets, and accent details on rings.
- Prong Setting
- A setting style that uses small metal claws, typically three to six, to grip a stone and hold it above the band. Prong settings allow maximum light to enter and exit the stone from multiple angles, enhancing brilliance. They are the standard choice for solitaire rings, stud earrings, and tennis bracelets.
- S925 Sterling Silver
- An alloy of 92.5% pure silver and 7.5% other metals, most commonly copper, added for strength and durability. Stamped "925," it is a recognized fine jewelry standard and the required base metal for gold vermeil. Sterling silver may develop a natural patina over time, which can be removed with gentle polishing.
- Solitaire
- A jewelry design featuring a single stone as the sole focal point, without accent stones. The solitaire format places full emphasis on the center stone's quality and presence. It is one of the most enduring configurations for stud earrings, pendants, and engagement rings.
- Tennis Bracelet
- A flexible bracelet composed of a continuous line of individually set, matched stones linked end to end. The design allows the bracelet to drape smoothly around the wrist while showcasing each stone equally. When shopping for a tennis bracelet, pay attention to whether the listed carat weight is per stone or total carat weight for the entire piece.
- The 4Cs (Cut, Color, Clarity, Carat)
- The four universally recognized criteria for evaluating diamond quality. Cut describes how well facets interact with light; Color measures the absence of tint; Clarity grades internal and surface characteristics; Carat records weight. Every IGI grading report documents all four, providing a standardized way to compare stones.
- Total Carat Weight (TCW)
- The combined carat weight of every stone in a multi-stone piece, such as a tennis bracelet or eternity band. TCW does not describe the size of any individual stone. A bracelet listed at 5.00 TCW with 50 stones, for example, contains stones averaging 0.10 carats each, so always check whether a listing refers to per-stone or total weight.
- Traceable Origin
- Documentation that records where and how a gemstone was produced, from laboratory to finished piece. Traceable origin allows buyers to verify that a stone was grown in a controlled environment rather than mined. DHARIN emphasizes transparent sourcing as part of its commitment to responsible fine jewelry.
