Do you write jewellery or jewelry? Well, the correct spelling will depend on where you are! Jewelry is the correct spelling for American English, while jewellery is preferred in British English.
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What Is Jewelry?
Jewelry is the American English spelling for ornaments (such as rings, brooches, necklaces, bracelets, and earrings) that you wear. Typically, jewelry is expensive, especially if it’s made from precious metals like gold or features precious gemstones like diamonds. However, there are pieces of jewelry with a more budget-friendly price tag as well.
The word jewelry is a noun. It’s derived from the Old French word jouel, meaning “ornament.” It became anglicized into the word “jewel,” for which “jewelry” is the collective form. If you go back even further, jewelry is tied to the Latin word “jocale,” meaning joy.
Example sentences:
- She feels a sentimental attachment whenever she wears her grandmother’s vintage jewelry as it reminds her of the special moments they shared.
- The store specializes in custom-made jewelry.
- Even the smallest gold chain jewelry can transform your outfit and make you look classy
- Diamond earrings are classic pieces of jewelry that bring elegance and timelessness to any look.
- The new piece of jewelry made from Gold cost thousands of dollars. It is the most expensive ornament in my collection.
What Is Jewellery?
Jewellery is the British spelling of “jewelry.” It means the exact same thing as jewelry, which refers to personal adornments, including necklaces, earrings, and bracelets. It is also a noun.
How to Use Jewelry in a Sentence?
When using the word jewelry in a sentence, you should remember that jewelry is an uncountable noun, which means it doesn’t take a plural form.
Most people make the mistake of using the term “jewelries” when referring to more than one item. The correct plural is jewelry, regardless of how many items you are wearing.
Alternatively, you could use the phrase “pieces of jewelry” to describe more than one ornament. For instance, you’d say,
Correct: “She wore several stunning pieces of jewelry around her neck and wrist.”
Wrong: “She wore several jewelries on her neck and wrist.”
Since jewelry is uncountable, you should always treat it as a singular noun. This means you need to pair it with singular verbs. For example:
Correct: “The jewelry was safely stored in a burglar-proof box.”
Wrong: “The jewelry were safely stored in a burglar-proof box.”
Which One Should You Use?
Choosing between jewelry and jewellery depends on where you are.
If you stay in the United States or the Philippines, jewelry is the standard spelling. However, if you’re in the UK, Australia, New Zealand, or Canada, jewellery is the correct spelling as it follows the British English spelling rule.
How about when referring to someone who makes or sells jewelry? You should use “jeweler” in American English and “jeweller” in British English.
Interestingly the spelling difference ends there because the term jewel stays the same in both American and British English.
How About Jewelery?
You may also come across the word “jewelery.” That’s actually a common misspelling, so you should avoid it regardless of which English variation you use.
Trick to Remembering the Correct Spelling
Don’t get confused and write jewellery when you mean jewelry or vice versa. A simple trick to help you remember the correct spelling is:
- Think of the extra ‘L’ and ‘E’ in “jewellery” as representing London, the capital city of England.
- When it comes to jewelry, remember the suffix -ry.
Tip: If you want to master spelling, learning and mastering the seven major differences between British and American spelling can help you.
Final Thoughts
Whether to use jewellery or jewelry will depend upon your audience and their regional language preferences. Remember, “jewelry” is the American spelling of the word and “jewellery” is the British spelling.
