Jewellery Design Vocabulary Quiz
12 multiple-choice questions on jewellery design vocabulary: hallmark, setting, bezel, prong, carat, shank and soldering. B2–C1 level.
This quiz focuses on how the target vocabulary for Jewellery Design is actually used in context at B2–C1 level, rather than testing bare definitions. Correct answers you will need to identify include terms such as hallmark, bezel, carat and filigree, each embedded in a full example sentence so you have to judge meaning from context, not just recognise an isolated word.
Working through all 12 questions and checking the explanations in the FAQ below is a quick way to spot any terms you are still unsure of. Revisiting the quiz again after a day or two, rather than only once, is one of the most reliable ways to move new vocabulary from passive recognition into words you can use confidently yourself when describing or discussing jewellery in English.
Keep building your jewellery design vocabulary.
Jewellery Design Vocabulary — FAQ
What is a hallmark and why is it important?
A hallmark is an official mark or series of marks stamped onto a precious metal item by an authorised assay office, certifying the metal's purity and authenticity. In the United Kingdom, hallmarking has been compulsory since 1300. A British hallmark typically includes a maker's mark, a metal purity mark, an assay office mark, and sometimes a date letter.
What is the difference between a bezel setting and a prong setting?
In a prong setting, a gemstone is held in place by small metal claws that grip the girdle of the stone, allowing maximum light to reach it from the sides. In a bezel setting, a continuous rim of metal wraps around the entire circumference of the stone, offering superior protection for softer or more vulnerable edges.
What does 'carat' mean and why does it have two meanings?
The word carat has two distinct meanings. Applied to gemstones, carat is a unit of weight: 1 carat equals 0.2 grams. Applied to precious metals, carat measures purity: 24-carat gold is pure gold, while 18-carat gold is 75 per cent gold and 25 per cent other metals.
What is filigree and where does it come from?
Filigree is a delicate form of metalwork in which fine threads of gold or silver wire are twisted, plaited, or coiled and then soldered together to create intricate, lace-like patterns. It has a long history across many cultures and remains particularly associated with Portuguese, Indian, and Italian goldsmithing traditions.
What is the difference between a cabochon and a faceted gemstone?
A cabochon is a gemstone shaped and polished to a smooth, domed surface with a flat base, typically used for opaque stones such as turquoise. A faceted stone has multiple flat, polished surfaces cut into it at precise angles to maximise the reflection of light, used for transparent stones such as diamonds.
What is soldering and how is it used in jewellery making?
Soldering uses a metal alloy called solder, which has a lower melting point than the metals being joined, and a heat source such as a jeweller's torch. The jeweller heats the pieces and the solder flows into the join by capillary action, bonding the parts together permanently when it cools.
What is an alloy and why are precious metals usually alloyed?
An alloy is a mixture of two or more metals. Pure precious metals are generally too soft for practical jewellery, so jewellers mix them with other metals to create alloys that are harder and more durable — for example, sterling silver is 92.5% silver alloyed with 7.5% copper.
What is repoussé and how is it different from engraving?
Repoussé is a technique in which a metal sheet is hammered from the back to create a raised design on the front. Engraving is a subtractive process in which designs are cut into the surface of a metal using a sharp tool called a graver, removing material to create lines and patterns.
What is a loupe and how is it used in jewellery?
A loupe is a small, portable magnifying lens used by jewellers and gemologists to examine stones and metalwork at close range, typically at 10x magnification. It is used to assess a stone's clarity, check the quality of solder joins, and inspect settings and prongs.
What is the best way to learn jewellery design vocabulary in English?
Connect the words with real objects and images — browse auction house catalogues online or watch jewellery-making videos in English, which will show you the vocabulary applied to actual pieces. Practise with Flash Cards on LexFizz, then test yourself with this quiz to reinforce the terms.