jeweller

Word family

• jewellery
  nounB1
• jewel
  nounB1
• jewelled
  adjectiveB2
• gemstone
  nounB2
• jeweler
  nounB2

Synonym discussion

Sense: noun/1

In British English, a 'jeweller' is the broadest and most common term — it covers anyone who sells, makes, or repairs jewellery and watches, and is the word most people use when visiting a shop. A 'goldsmith' specialises in working with gold — making rings, chains, and settings — and often works at a bench rather than behind a counter. A 'silversmith' works primarily in silver, crafting items like cutlery, teapots, and bangles. A 'gemologist' is a specialist trained to identify, grade, and value gemstones; they may work alongside a jeweller but do not typically make or sell finished pieces themselves. A 'watchmaker' focuses exclusively on timepieces — repairing clockwork, changing batteries, and assembling movements — and may work in a jeweller's shop or an independent workshop. Example: 'The gemologist confirmed the diamond was natural, then the goldsmith set it into the ring, and the local jeweller sold it to the customer.'

Common collocations

Etymology

The word 'jeweller' entered Middle English in the 14th century as 'jueler', borrowed from Old French 'joaillier' (later 'joaillier'), which itself comes from 'joel' meaning 'jewel'. The French root traces further back to Latin 'jocus' (a jest or plaything), because small precious objects were once seen as playthings of the wealthy. The modern spelling 'jeweller' is standard in British English; the American spelling is 'jeweler' (one 'l').