jewelry

/ˈdʒu(ə)lri/

/ˈdʒuwəlri/

Other forms: jewelries

Jewelry refers to an adornment (generally precious metal or stone) worn by a person, like a bracelet, ring, necklace, or earrings. Jewelry may be purely decorative, or it may express something — like a ring that says you are married.

Humans have been in the jewelry business for a long time: A shell bracelet, or necklace was found in a cave in South Africa that dates back 75,000 years. Both a diamond ring from Tiffany’s and a handmade beaded bracelet are jewelry, but whether the jewel in jewelry is real or imitation, it is always spelled out. More than one piece of jewelry is still the same word.

Definitions of jewelry

1. noun

   an adornment (as a bracelet or ring or necklace) made of precious metals and set with gems (or imitation gems)
   synonyms: jewellery

   types:

   bead

   a small ball with a hole through the middle

   bijou

   a small, stylish object or place, especially made or designed in an intricate or attractive way

   bling, bling bling

   flashy, ostentatious jewelry

   bangle, bracelet

   jewelry worn around the wrist for decoration

   clip

   an article of jewelry that can be clipped onto a hat or dress

   cufflink

   jewelry consisting of one of a pair of linked buttons used to fasten the cuffs of a shirt

   earring

   jewelry to ornament the ear; usually clipped to the earlobe or fastened through a hole in the lobe

   gem, jewel, precious stone

   a precious or semiprecious stone incorporated into a piece of jewelry

   necklace

   jewelry consisting of a cord or chain (often bearing gems) worn about the neck as an ornament (especially by women)

   pin

   a piece of jewelry that is pinned onto the wearer's garment

   band, ring

   jewelry consisting of a circlet of precious metal (often set with jewels) worn on the finger

   tie clip

   a piece of jewelry that holds a man's tie in place

   ankle bracelet, anklet

   an ornament worn around the ankle

   annulet

   a small ring

   armilla

   (archeology) a bracelet worn around the wrist or arm

   breastpin, broach, brooch

   a decorative pin worn by women

   bugle

   a tubular glass or plastic bead sewn onto clothing for decoration

   chain, strand, string

   a necklace made by a stringing objects together

   chain

   a linked or connected series of objects

   choker, collar, dog collar, neckband

   necklace that fits tightly around a woman's neck

   crown jewel

   a precious stone that is a valuable part of a sovereign's regalia

   engagement ring

   a ring given and worn as a sign of betrothal

   mourning ring

   a ring worn as a memorial to a dead person

   drop earring, eardrop, pendant earring

   an earring with a pendant ornament

   ringlet

   a small ring

   scatter pin

   small pin usually worn in groups of two or more

   seal ring, signet ring

   a ring bearing a signet

   solitaire

   a gem (usually a diamond) in a setting by itself

   stickpin

   a decorative pin that is worn in a necktie

   scarfpin, tie tack, tiepin

   a pin used to hold the tie in place

   wedding band, wedding ring

   a ring (usually plain gold) given to the bride (and sometimes one is also given to the groom) at the wedding

   diamond

   a transparent piece of diamond that has been cut and polished and is valued as a precious gem

   ruby

   a transparent piece of ruby that has been cut and polished and is valued as a precious gem

   pearl

   a smooth lustrous round structure inside the shell of a clam or oyster; much valued as a jewel

   emerald

   a transparent piece of emerald that has been cut and polished and is valued as a precious gem

   sapphire

   a transparent piece of sapphire that has been cut and polished and is valued as a precious gem

   type of:

   adornment

   a decoration of color or interest that is added to relieve plainness