Most pieces of jewelry feature stamps with abbreviations, sometimes a legal requirement for luxury goods. You’ll also see standard jewelry abbreviations on appraisals and other important documents. This handy jewelry abbreviations list will help you understand what they all mean.
Standard Jewelry Abbreviations for Metals
Jewelry can be made from a variety of metals, including gold, silver, and platinum. Each piece is stamped to mark its metal content, and you can also use the abbreviation to tell if the piece is plated or solid. These are a few of the most common abbreviations you’ll see:
- 10K - 10 karat gold
- 14K - 14 karat gold
- 24K - 24 karat gold
- ABF - Antique brass finish or antique bronze finish
- ABP - Antique brass-plated
- ACF - Antique copper finish
- ACP - Antique copper plated
- ACS - Art clay silver
- AGF - Antique gold finish
- AGP - Antique gold plated
- ANP - Antique nickel plated
- ARF - Antique rhodium finish or imitation rhodium finish
- ARP - Antique rhodium plated
- ASF - Antique silver finish
- ASP - Antique silver plated
- BHG - Black Hills gold
- BRF - Brass finish or bronze finish
- BRP - Brass plated or bronze plated
- CPF - Copper finish
- CPP - Copper plated
- GC - Gold colored metal
- GE - Gold electroplated
- GF - Gold finish or gold filled
- GP - Gold plated
- GP/SS - Gold plated over sterling silver, also known as “vermeil”
- NF - Nickel free
- Plat - Platinum
- Pall - Palladium
- PMC - Precious metal clay
- RGF - Rose gold finish
- RGP - Rose gold plated
- SC - Silver colored metal
- SLF - Silver finish
- SLP - Silver plated
- SS - Sterling silver
Jewelry Abbreviations for Gems and Gem Measurements
Abbreviations are important for understanding the value and characteristics of gems. This jewelry abbreviations list is particularly important in diamond grading.
- CT - Carat
- CTW - Carat total weight
- CZ - Cubic zirconia
- F - Flawless
- I - Included (I1, I2, I2)
- IF - Internally flawless
- SI - Slightly included (SI1, S12)
- TW - Total weight
- VSI - Very slightly included (VS1, VS2)
- VVSI - Very very slightly included (VVS1, VVS2)
Standard Abbreviations for Jewelry Manufacturers
Jewelry manufacturers and designers use maker’s marks or stamps that feature their logo, name, or initials. In some cases, these can look like abbreviations. There are thousands of different maker’s marks in current and previous use, but these are a few of the common ones that use acronyms:
- ACB - Annie Costello Brown
- CJ - Charles Jewelers
- DY - David Yurman
- JD - Justin Davis
- JF - Jean François
- JH - John Hardy
- RLM - Robert Lee Morris
- SK - Scott Kay
- VCA - Van Cleef & Arpels
Abbreviations for Professional Associations
You may see these abbreviations on legal documents, like appraisals, or on descriptions for various pieces. They refer to professional jewelry associations and institutions or appraisal accreditation:
- AG - Accredited Gemologist
- AGA - Accredited Gemologist Association or Accredited Gem Appraiser
- AGI - Accredited Gemological Institute
- AGS - American Gem Society or American Gemological Society
- AGSL - American Gem Society Laboratory
- AGTA - American Gem Trade Association
- AIGS - Asian Institute of Gemological Science
- AIJV - Association of Independent Jewellery Valuers
- AJDC - American Jewelry Design Council
- AJP - Accredited Jewelry Professional
- ASA - American Society of Appraisers
- ASJH - American Society of Jewelry Historians
- DCA - Diamond Council of America
- CG - Certified Gemologist
- CGA - Certified Gemologist Appraisers
- CIG - Canadian Institute of Gemmology
- CPAA - Cultured Pearl Association of America
- CW - Certified Watchmaker
- EGL - European Gemological Laboratory
- GANA - Gem Artists of North America
- GG - Graduate Gemologist
- GIA - Gemological Institute of America
- ICGA - Independent Certified Gemologist Appraiser
- IGI - International Gemological Institute
- IGS - International Gem Society
- MAG - Metal Arts Guild
- MGA - Master Gemologist Appraiser
- NAJA - National Association of Jewelry Appraisers
- RJ - Registered Jeweler
- SAS - Society of American Silversmiths
- SNAG - Society of North American Goldsmiths
Better Understanding of Jewelry
Throughout history, jewelry has had an important role in fashion and appearance, as well as creative expression and wealth. Learning how to read the abbreviations associated with this art can help you better understand the value and features of the pieces you encounter.