The Jewelry Education Guide
Metals, settings, sizing, quality marks and more — the plain-English fundamentals that make you a confident jewelry buyer, all in one place.
You do not need to be a gemologist to buy jewelry well — you just need to understand a handful of fundamentals. This page gathers our beginner-friendly explainers and arranges them so you can build real knowledge from the ground up: what things are made of, how they are built and sized, how quality is marked and measured, and how to buy with confidence. Start at the top, or jump to whatever you are trying to understand today.
Start with the basics
The foundational ideas that everything else builds on.
Metals explained
What your jewelry is actually made of — and what the terms mean.
What Does 925 Sterling Silver Mean? →
Gold Karats Explained: 10K vs 14K vs 18K →
White Gold vs Yellow Gold vs Rose Gold →
Gold vs Silver Settings: Which Metal Is Right? →
Vermeil, Gold-Filled & Gold-Plated: What's the Difference? →
Settings, fit & sizing
How a piece is built to hold its stones — and to fit you.
Ring Setting Types Explained →
What Is Comfort-Fit? Ring Band Profiles Explained →
Quality, marks & certificates
How to read the stamps and reports that signal quality.
Understanding Jewelry Hallmarks & Metal Stamps →
How to Read a Gemstone Certificate →
Buying & personalizing
Putting it all together when it is time to buy or customize.
Putting it to use. Once you understand metals, settings and quality marks, shopping gets far easier — you will know exactly what you are looking at and what to ask. Our rings are handcrafted in 925 silver and gold and set with brilliant moissanite, so you can apply everything you learn here right away.
Frequently asked questions
I am brand new to jewelry — where do I begin?
Start with the Glossary of Jewelry Terms and The Anatomy of a Ring. Together they give you the vocabulary and the mental map that make every other guide here click into place.
What is the most important thing to understand before buying?
Metals and sizing. Knowing the difference between solid gold, vermeil and plating — and how to measure your ring size — prevents the two most common buying regrets.
Put your knowledge to work
Explore handcrafted moissanite rings in 925 silver and gold.
Shop Moissanite Rings
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