Definition

Noun 1. Personal ornaments made from precious metals, gemstones, or other decorative materials: Jewellery refers to items such as rings, necklaces, bracelets, and earrings that are worn for personal adornment. These items are often, but not always, made with valuable materials and can be set with real or imitation gems.

Usage

• Jewellery is an uncountable noun. You do not say "a jewellery" or "jewelleries." Instead, you refer to individual pieces as "a piece of jewellery" or specific items like "a necklace."
• It is typically worn on the body, such as on fingers, wrists, necks, or ears.
• Common verbs used with jewellery include: wear, put on, take off, design, make, sell, buy, insure, clean, and admire.

Examples

• Noun:
  • She received beautiful jewellery for her birthday.
  • The museum has a collection of ancient Egyptian jewellery.
  • He designs modern jewellery using recycled materials.
  • Always store your valuable jewellery in a safe place.

Advanced Usage

• "Costume jewellery": Inexpensive jewellery made from non-precious metals, glass, plastic, or synthetic stones, often designed to complement a specific outfit or fashion trend.
  • She accessorized her dress with colourful costume jewellery.
• "Family jewellery" or "heirloom jewellery": Pieces of jewellery that are passed down through generations of a family.
  • She wore her grandmother's heirloom jewellery on her wedding day.
• "Fine jewellery": Jewellery made with precious metals (like gold, platinum) and genuine gemstones (like diamonds, rubies).
  • The store specializes in fine jewellery and luxury watches.

Variants and Related Words

• Jewelry: This is the standard spelling in American English. Both "jewellery" (common in British English) and "jewelry" (common in American English) are correct and have the same meaning.
• Jeweller (UK) / Jeweler (US) (noun): A person or company that makes or sells jewellery.
  • We took the ring to a jeweller for valuation.
• Jewelled (UK) / Jeweled (US) (adjective): Decorated or set with jewels.
  • She wore a jewelled hair clip.

Synonyms

• Ornaments: A more general term for decorative objects.
• Accessories: Items used to complement an outfit, which can include jewellery, scarves, bags, etc.
• Trinkets: Small, decorative items of little value (can sometimes imply jewellery is not very valuable).
• Regalia: The elaborate, often official, clothes and decorations of a rank, office, or order, which can include specific jewellery like medals or chains of office.

Related Phrases

• "A piece of jewellery": The standard way to refer to one item.
  • That is a stunning piece of jewellery.
• "To be someone's pride and joy" (idiom, often applied to prized possessions like jewellery): To be something that someone is very proud of and values highly.
  • This necklace was my mother's pride and joy.

Notes on Different Meanings

The word "jewellery" itself does not have multiple distinct meanings. Its core meaning is consistent: decorative items worn for personal adornment. The perceived value, materials, and purpose (e.g., fashion, investment, sentimental) are contextual aspects, not separate definitions.

Noun

1. an adornment (as a bracelet or ring or necklace) made of precious metals and set with gems (or imitation gems)