# Parts of a piece of jewelry: ring, earring, necklace and bracelet

> Vocabulary of the parts of a jewel: head, prongs, shoulders and shank of the ring; post and back of the earring; chain, clasp and bail of the necklace.

- Source: https://www.711grados.com/en/parts-of-a-piece-of-jewelry/
- Language: en
- Note: This entry was drafted with the help of AI and is pending review by the author.
- Published: 2026-09-29
- Updated: 2026-09-30
- Translation (es): https://www.711grados.com/es/partes-de-una-joya/
- Author: Sandra Sánchez
- Site: 711 Grados (https://www.711grados.com/)

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Knowing the parts of a jewel helps to describe it, buy it and repair it.

![Side view of a cut stone with table, crown, girdle, pavilion and culet](https://www.711grados.com/media/diagrams/gem-anatomy.en.svg "Parts of a cut stone")

![Six types of stone setting in side view](https://www.711grados.com/media/diagrams/setting-types.en.svg "Setting types: how each holds the stone")

## Ring

- **Head:** the part that holds the stone.
- **Prongs or bezel:** what fixes the stone ([settings](https://www.711grados.com/en/stone-settings-types/)).
- **Gallery:** the space under the stone.
- **Shoulders:** the sides joining head and band.
- **Shank:** the band around the finger.
- **Table:** the flat top face (in a signet ring).

## Earring

- **Post or hook:** what passes through the ear.
- **Back:** what holds it ([clasps](https://www.711grados.com/en/types-of-jewelry-clasps-and-earring-backs/)).
- **Front:** the visible part.

## Necklace and bracelet

- **Chain or cord.**
- **Clasp and extender.**
- **Bail:** where the chain passes through a pendant.
- **Links and connectors.**

## Gem

Table, crown, girdle, pavilion and culet. See [types of cut](https://www.711grados.com/en/types-of-gem-and-diamond-cuts/).

## Why it matters to know the parts

Knowing how to name the parts lets you ask for a repair precisely (“a prong needs rebuilding”, “an earring screw is missing”) and understand a sales description. Workshops and shops use this vocabulary.

## Parts of a ring head

The **head** may be prong, bezel, channel or another type ([see types of setting](https://www.711grados.com/en/stone-settings-types/)). Under the stone there is often a **gallery**, a small openwork support that decorates and lets light in.

## See also

- [Stone settings: types and how to choose](https://www.711grados.com/en/stone-settings-types/)
- [Types of gem and diamond cuts](https://www.711grados.com/en/types-of-gem-and-diamond-cuts/)
- [Types of jewelry clasps (necklaces, bracelets and earrings)](https://www.711grados.com/en/types-of-jewelry-clasps-and-earring-backs/)
- [Ring styles: from solitaire to cocktail ring](https://www.711grados.com/en/ring-styles/)