Whether you’re shopping for your first piece of fine jewelry or deep in the weeds of planning a custom engagement ring, chances are you’ve come across some terms that sound fancy… but are easy to mix up or mispronounce. Don’t worry — you’re not alone.

Here’s a breakdown of some of the most commonly confused, mispronounced, and misunderstood jewelry terms — straightened out once and for all.

1. Pavé

Pronunciation: pah-vay (rhymes with ballet)
What it means: Pavé comes from the French word for “paved,” and it refers to a setting style where small diamonds or gemstones are set closely together with minimal metal showing — creating the appearance of a continuous sparkle or “paved” surface.
Common confusion: Many people pronounce it like “pave” (payv), like a driveway — but we promise, the diamonds are much prettier.

2. Melee

Pronunciation: meh-lee or may-lay
What it means: Melee refers to very small diamonds (typically less than 0.2 carats). These are often used in pavé settings, halos, or as accent stones. The term comes from the French mêlée, meaning “mixed,” because these small diamonds are often sorted by size rather than exact cut or clarity.
Common confusion: People often associate it with the word “melee” in video games (aka, chaos) — but in jewelry, it’s much more orderly.

3. Solitaire

Pronunciation: sol-i-tair
What it means: A solitaire ring features a single center stone, typically a diamond. It’s the most classic engagement ring style — no side stones, no halo, just one standout gem.
Common confusion: It’s often confused as a type of stone (like “solitaire cut”), but it actually refers to the setting style, not the shape or cut of the gem.

4. Halo

Pronunciation: hay-low
What it means: A halo setting surrounds a center stone with a ring (or sometimes multiple rings) of smaller diamonds, which enhances the overall sparkle and perceived size of the center stone.
Common confusion: Some people think “halo” is the name of a type of diamond or a brand. It’s actually just the style of the setting.

5. Carat vs. Karat

Carat (ct): Refers to the weight of a diamond or gemstone. 1 carat = 0.2 grams.
Karat (kt): Refers to the purity of gold. Pure gold is 24 karats.
Common confusion: These are not interchangeable — a 2-carat diamond is not the same thing as 24-karat gold!

6. Baguette

Pronunciation: bag-ett
What it means: A baguette is a step-cut diamond or gemstone that’s rectangular and elongated — named after the French word for “stick” or “long loaf of bread.”
Common confusion: Sometimes people hear “baguette” and assume it refers to the size or quality, but it’s actually the cut.

7. Toi et Moi

Pronunciation: twah eh mwah (French for “you and me”)
What it means: A Toi et Moi ring features two center stones — often of different shapes or sizes — symbolizing two souls becoming one. Popularized in modern times by celebrities like Ariana Grande and Emily Ratajkowski, this romantic style dates back to the 18th century (Napoleon even proposed with one).
Common confusion: People often mispronounce it as toy-et-moy or think it's a type of stone — but it’s the setting style that makes it a “you and me” ring.

Final Thoughts

The world of fine jewelry is full of beautiful details — and with that comes a language of its own. Knowing the correct terms (and how to pronounce them) can help you shop smarter, ask the right questions, and feel more confident whether you're buying, gifting, or just browsing.

Have a jewelry term you’ve always wondered about? Drop it in the comments or email us — we’re happy to decode it for you.