Learning how to say “jewelry” in French can be useful for travel, shopping, or just exploring the beauty of a new language. In French, words related to fashion and accessories often sound elegant, making conversations about them more enjoyable. Whether you’re visiting a jewelry shop in Paris or simply trying to expand your vocabulary, this is a great place to start.
In this article, we will learn how to say “jewelry” in French, explore other related words, understand how to respond when someone talks about jewelry, and even practice with some exercises. By the end, you’ll feel confident using this word in different situations!
Ways to Say “Jewelry” in French
When talking about “jewelry” in French, there are a variety of ways to express it depending on the context. Below are some common ways, their pronunciations, meanings, and examples of how to use them in sentences.
1. Bijoux
Pronunciation: bee-zhoo
Meaning: Jewelry (general term for all kinds of jewelry).
In a Sentence:
- Elle porte des bijoux en or. (She wears gold jewelry.)
- J’adore les bijoux anciens. (I love antique jewelry.)
2. Bijou
Pronunciation: bee-zhoo
Meaning: A single piece of jewelry.
In a Sentence:
- Ce bijou est très précieux. (This piece of jewelry is very precious.)
- As-tu vu ce bijou magnifique? (Did you see this magnificent piece of jewelry?)
3. Parure
Pronunciation: pah-ryur
Meaning: A jewelry set.
In a Sentence:
- Elle a acheté une belle parure en diamant. (She bought a beautiful diamond jewelry set.)
- La parure complète est dans cette boîte. (The full jewelry set is in this box.)
4. Collier
Pronunciation: koh-lyay
Meaning: Necklace.
In a Sentence:
- J’ai reçu un collier en cadeau. (I received a necklace as a gift.)
- Ce collier va parfaitement avec ta robe. (This necklace goes perfectly with your dress.)
5. Bracelet
Pronunciation: brah-slay
Meaning: Bracelet.
In a Sentence:
- Ce bracelet est fait à la main. (This bracelet is handmade.)
- Elle a un bracelet en argent très élégant. (She has a very elegant silver bracelet.)
6. Bague
Pronunciation: bahg
Meaning: Ring.
In a Sentence:
- Il m’a offert une bague en saphir. (He gave me a sapphire ring.)
- Cette bague est magnifique! (This ring is beautiful!)
7. Boucles d’oreilles
Pronunciation: boo-kluh doh-ray
Meaning: Earrings.
In a Sentence:
- Les boucles d’oreilles sont en or. (The earrings are gold.)
- Elle porte toujours des boucles d’oreilles élégantes. (She always wears elegant earrings.)
8. Pendentif
Pronunciation: pahn-dahn-teef
Meaning: Pendant.
In a Sentence:
- J’aime porter un pendentif simple. (I like wearing a simple pendant.)
- Ce pendentif est un héritage de famille. (This pendant is a family heirloom.)
9. Chaîne
Pronunciation: shen
Meaning: Chain.
In a Sentence:
- Il a acheté une chaîne en or pour son collier. (He bought a gold chain for his necklace.)
- Cette chaîne est très solide. (This chain is very strong.)
10. Broche
Pronunciation: brosh
Meaning: Brooch.
In a Sentence:
- Elle a mis une broche sur sa veste. (She put a brooch on her jacket.)
- Cette broche ancienne est magnifique. (This antique brooch is stunning.)
11. Diadème
Pronunciation: dee-ah-dem
Meaning: Tiara.
In a Sentence:
- La princesse portait un diadème en diamants. (The princess wore a diamond tiara.)
- Ce diadème est digne d’une reine. (This tiara is fit for a queen.)
12. Épingle
Pronunciation: ay-pang-luh
Meaning: Pin.
In a Sentence:
- Cette épingle est décorée de perles. (This pin is decorated with pearls.)
- J’utilise une épingle pour tenir mon foulard. (I use a pin to hold my scarf.)
13. Joaillerie
Pronunciation: zho-ah-yer-ree
Meaning: Jewelry-making or a jewelry shop.
In a Sentence:
- La joaillerie de cette ville est très réputée. (The jewelry shop in this town is very renowned.)
- Il travaille dans la joaillerie depuis 10 ans. (He has worked in jewelry-making for 10 years.)
14. Pierres précieuses
Pronunciation: pyerr pray-syuhz
Meaning: Precious stones.
In a Sentence:
- Les pierres précieuses sont utilisées dans les bijoux de luxe. (Precious stones are used in luxury jewelry.)
- Ces boucles d’oreilles sont faites de pierres précieuses. (These earrings are made of precious stones.)
15. Perles
Pronunciation: perhl
Meaning: Pearls.
In a Sentence:
- Elle porte un collier de perles. (She wears a pearl necklace.)
- Les perles sont très populaires dans les bijoux classiques. (Pearls are very popular in classic jewelry.)
16. Orfèvrerie
Pronunciation: or-feh-vruh-ree
Meaning: Silver or goldsmith work.
In a Sentence:
- Cette orfèvrerie est exceptionnelle. (This goldsmith work is exceptional.)
- L’orfèvrerie est une tradition ancienne ici. (Goldsmith work is an old tradition here.)
17. Sertissage
Pronunciation: sehr-tee-sahzh
Meaning: Setting (of stones in jewelry).
In a Sentence:
- Le sertissage de cette bague est parfait. (The setting of this ring is perfect.)
- Le bijoutier travaille sur le sertissage des pierres. (The jeweler is working on the stone settings.)
18. Fermoir
Pronunciation: fehr-mwahr
Meaning: Clasp.
In a Sentence:
- Le fermoir de ce collier est cassé. (The clasp of this necklace is broken.)
- Ils ont remplacé le fermoir du bracelet. (They replaced the bracelet’s clasp.)
19. Camée
Pronunciation: kah-may
Meaning: Cameo.
In a Sentence:
- Cette bague porte un camée délicat. (This ring has a delicate cameo.)
- Les camées sont très recherchés par les collectionneurs. (Cameos are highly sought after by collectors.)
20. Bijoutier
Pronunciation: bee-zhoo-tyay
Meaning: Jeweler.
In a Sentence:
- Le bijoutier m’a aidé à choisir une bague. (The jeweler helped me choose a ring.)
- Connais-tu un bon bijoutier ici? (Do you know a good jeweler here?)
21. Joaillier
Pronunciation: zho-ah-lyay
Meaning: Jeweler (specifically one working with high-end pieces).
In a Sentence:
- Le joaillier crée des bijoux sur mesure. (The jeweler creates custom jewelry.)
- Ce joaillier est célèbre pour ses créations uniques. (This jeweler is famous for his unique creations.)
22. Argent
Pronunciation: ar-zhahn
Meaning: Silver.
In a Sentence:
- Elle adore les bijoux en argent. (She loves silver jewelry.)
- Cet argent est de très bonne qualité. (This silver is of very high quality.)
23. Or
Pronunciation: or
Meaning: Gold.
In a Sentence:
- Son collier est en or massif. (Her necklace is made of solid gold.)
- J’ai trouvé une bague en or ancien. (I found a ring made of old gold.)
24. Cristaux
Pronunciation: kree-stoh
Meaning: Crystals.
In a Sentence:
- Les cristaux brillent magnifiquement dans la lumière. (The crystals shine beautifully in the light.)
- Ces bijoux en cristaux sont très populaires. (These crystal jewelry pieces are very popular.)
25. Bijou fantaisie
Pronunciation: bee-zhoo fahn-tah-zee
Meaning: Costume jewelry.
In a Sentence:
- Elle porte des bijoux fantaisie pour les fêtes. (She wears costume jewelry for parties.)
- Les bijoux fantaisie peuvent être très élégants. (Costume jewelry can be very stylish.)
26. Joaillerie de luxe
Pronunciation: zho-ah-yer-ree duh luks
Meaning: Luxury jewelry.
In a Sentence:
- La joaillerie de luxe est très prisée à Paris. (Luxury jewelry is highly valued in Paris.)
- Ce magasin propose une collection de joaillerie de luxe. (This store offers a luxury jewelry collection.)
27. Pierres fines
Pronunciation: pyerr feen
Meaning: Semi-precious stones.
In a Sentence:
- Les bijoux en pierres fines sont abordables et élégants. (Jewelry with semi-precious stones is affordable and elegant.)
- Elle a choisi une bague avec des pierres fines. (She chose a ring with semi-precious stones.)
28. Perle de culture
Pronunciation: perhl duh kool-tyur
Meaning: Cultured pearl.
In a Sentence:
- Ce collier est fait avec des perles de culture. (This necklace is made with cultured pearls.)
- Les perles de culture sont très populaires dans la joaillerie. (Cultured pearls are very popular in jewelry.)
29. Monture
Pronunciation: mon-tyur
Meaning: Jewelry mounting or setting.
In a Sentence:
- La monture de ce bijou est très délicate. (The setting of this piece of jewelry is very delicate.)
- Il travaille sur une monture en or blanc. (He is working on a white gold setting.)
30. Alliance
Pronunciation: ah-lyahns
Meaning: Wedding ring or band.
In a Sentence:
- Leur alliance est gravée avec leurs initiales. (Their wedding ring is engraved with their initials.)
- Ils ont acheté des alliances en platine. (They bought platinum wedding bands.)
31. Médaillon
Pronunciation: may-dah-yohn
Meaning: Locket.
In a Sentence:
- Ce médaillon contient une photo de sa famille. (This locket holds a photo of her family.)
- J’ai offert un médaillon en cadeau à ma sœur. (I gave a locket as a gift to my sister.)
32. Cristal taillé
Pronunciation: kree-stahl tah-yay
Meaning: Cut crystal.
In a Sentence:
- Les bijoux en cristal taillé brillent dans la lumière. (Jewelry made of cut crystal shines in the light.)
- Elle a un bracelet en cristal taillé. (She has a bracelet made of cut crystal.)
33. Gemme
Pronunciation: zhem
Meaning: Gem or gemstone.
In a Sentence:
- Cette gemme rare est d’une grande valeur. (This rare gem is of great value.)
- Les joailliers utilisent des gemmes précieuses pour leurs créations. (Jewelers use precious gems for their creations.)
34. Montre
Pronunciation: mon-truh
Meaning: Watch (often considered a piece of jewelry).
In a Sentence:
- Cette montre en or est un bijou précieux. (This gold watch is a precious piece of jewelry.)
- Il a reçu une montre élégante pour son anniversaire. (He received an elegant watch for his birthday.)
35. Bracelet manchette
Pronunciation: brah-slay mon-shet
Meaning: Cuff bracelet.
In a Sentence:
- Elle a acheté un bracelet manchette pour compléter sa tenue. (She bought a cuff bracelet to complete her outfit.)
- Ce bracelet manchette est décoré de pierres précieuses. (This cuff bracelet is decorated with precious stones.)
Other Ways to Say “Jewelry” in French
Here are additional ways to refer to “jewelry” in French, along with their pronunciations, meanings, and examples.
| Other Ways to Say | Pronunciation | Meaning | Example Sentences |
| Accessoires | ahk-ses-swahr | Accessories (general term, includes jewelry) | Les accessoires complètent une tenue. (Accessories complete an outfit.) |
| Bijou ancien | bee-zhoo ahn-syuhn | Antique jewelry | J’adore collectionner les bijoux anciens. (I love collecting antique jewelry.) |
| Ornement | or-ne-mohn | Ornament or decorative piece | Ce collier est un bel ornement. (This necklace is a beautiful ornament.) |
| Joaillier renommé | zho-ah-lyay ruh-no-may | Renowned jeweler | Ce joaillier renommé a créé ma bague. (This renowned jeweler created my ring.) |
| Bijoux de famille | bee-zhoo duh fah-mee | Family heirloom jewelry | Les bijoux de famille sont transmis de génération en génération. (Family jewelry is passed down generations.) |
| Bijoux modernes | bee-zhoo moh-dehrn | Modern jewelry | Ce designer crée des bijoux modernes. (This designer creates modern jewelry.) |
| Accessoires de luxe | ahk-ses-swahr duh luks | Luxury accessories | Les accessoires de luxe incluent des bijoux raffinés. (Luxury accessories include fine jewelry.) |
| Collier de perles | koh-lyay duh perhl | Pearl necklace | Elle porte un collier de perles à la soirée. (She wears a pearl necklace to the party.) |
| Ensemble de bijoux | ahn-sombl duh bee-zhoo | Jewelry set | Elle a acheté un ensemble de bijoux pour le mariage. (She bought a jewelry set for the wedding.) |
| Chaine en argent | shen ahn ar-zhahn | Silver chain | Cette chaîne en argent est très élégante. (This silver chain is very elegant.) |
Responses to “Jewelry” in French
When talking about jewelry in French, you might hear compliments or questions about it. Below are common responses you can use, along with their meanings and examples to help you understand how to use them in conversations.
1. Merci, c’est un cadeau.
Pronunciation: mehr-see, say uh kah-doh
Meaning: Thank you, it’s a gift.
In a Sentence:
- Person 1: J’adore ton collier! (I love your necklace!)
Person 2: Merci, c’est un cadeau. (Thank you, it’s a gift.)
2. Oui, c’est de l’or véritable.
Pronunciation: wee, say duh lor vay-ree-tah-bluh
Meaning: Yes, it’s real gold.
In a Sentence:
- Person 1: Est-ce que cette bague est en or? (Is this ring gold?)
Person 2: Oui, c’est de l’or véritable. (Yes, it’s real gold.)
3. Je l’ai acheté dans une boutique locale.
Pronunciation: juh lay ah-shuh-tay dahn zewn boo-teek loh-kal
Meaning: I bought it in a local shop.
In a Sentence:
- Person 1: Où as-tu trouvé ces boucles d’oreilles? (Where did you find these earrings?)
Person 2: Je l’ai acheté dans une boutique locale. (I bought it in a local shop.)
4. C’est un bijou de famille.
Pronunciation: say uh bee-zhoo duh fah-mee
Meaning: It’s a family heirloom.
In a Sentence:
- Person 1: Ton bracelet est magnifique! (Your bracelet is beautiful!)
Person 2: C’est un bijou de famille. (It’s a family heirloom.)
5. Merci, je l’aime beaucoup.
Pronunciation: mehr-see, juh lem boh-koo
Meaning: Thank you, I like it a lot.
In a Sentence:
- Person 1: Ton collier est très joli! (Your necklace is very pretty!)
Person 2: Merci, je l’aime beaucoup. (Thank you, I like it a lot.)
6. Je l’ai fait sur mesure.
Pronunciation: juh lay feh sur meh-zyur
Meaning: I had it custom-made.
In a Sentence:
- Person 1: Ce bijou est unique! (This jewelry is unique!)
Person 2: Je l’ai fait sur mesure. (I had it custom-made.)
7. Oui, c’est fait main.
Pronunciation: wee, say feh man
Meaning: Yes, it’s handmade.
In a Sentence:
- Person 1: Ton pendentif est-il fait à la main? (Is your pendant handmade?)
Person 2: Oui, c’est fait main. (Yes, it’s handmade.)
8. Merci, il est ancien.
Pronunciation: mehr-see, eel ay ahn-syen
Meaning: Thank you, it’s vintage.
In a Sentence:
- Person 1: J’adore ta bague! (I love your ring!)
Person 2: Merci, il est ancien. (Thank you, it’s vintage.)
9. Je l’ai trouvé lors d’un voyage.
Pronunciation: juh lay troo-vay lor duh voh-yahzh
Meaning: I found it during a trip.
In a Sentence:
- Person 1: Où as-tu acheté ce bracelet? (Where did you buy this bracelet?)
Person 2: Je l’ai trouvé lors d’un voyage. (I found it during a trip.)
10. Merci, c’est une pièce unique.
Pronunciation: mehr-see, say tewn pyess ew-neek
Meaning: Thank you, it’s a one-of-a-kind piece.
In a Sentence:
- Person 1: Ce collier est incroyable! (This necklace is amazing!)
Person 2: Merci, c’est une pièce unique. (Thank you, it’s a one-of-a-kind piece.)
11. Je l’ai hérité de ma grand-mère.
Pronunciation: juh lay ay-ree-tay duh mah grahn-mehr
Meaning: I inherited it from my grandmother.
In a Sentence:
- Person 1: Ton bracelet est magnifique! (Your bracelet is gorgeous!)
Person 2: Je l’ai hérité de ma grand-mère. (I inherited it from my grandmother.)
12. Merci, il est très spécial pour moi.
Pronunciation: mehr-see, eel ay tray spay-syal poor mwah
Meaning: Thank you, it’s very special to me.
In a Sentence:
- Person 1: J’aime beaucoup ton collier! (I really like your necklace!)
Person 2: Merci, il est très spécial pour moi. (Thank you, it’s very special to me.)
13. C’était un cadeau de mon mari.
Pronunciation: say-teh uh kah-doh duh mon mah-ree
Meaning: It was a gift from my husband.
In a Sentence:
- Person 1: Cette bague est magnifique! (This ring is beautiful!)
Person 2: C’était un cadeau de mon mari. (It was a gift from my husband.)
14. Oui, il est fait d’argent.
Pronunciation: wee, eel ay feh d’ar-zhahn
Meaning: Yes, it’s made of silver.
In a Sentence:
- Person 1: Est-ce que ce bracelet est en argent? (Is this bracelet silver?)
Person 2: Oui, il est fait d’argent. (Yes, it’s made of silver.)
15. Merci, c’est une création artisanale.
Pronunciation: mehr-see, say tewn kray-ah-syon ar-tee-zah-nahl
Meaning: Thank you, it’s a handcrafted piece.
In a Sentence:
- Person 1: J’adore ton pendentif! (I love your pendant!)
Person 2: Merci, c’est une création artisanale. (Thank you, it’s a handcrafted piece.)
16. Je l’ai acheté à Paris.
Pronunciation: juh lay ah-shuh-tay ah pah-ree
Meaning: I bought it in Paris.
In a Sentence:
- Person 1: Ce collier est magnifique! (This necklace is stunning!)
Person 2: Je l’ai acheté à Paris. (I bought it in Paris.)
17. Oui, c’est une édition limitée.
Pronunciation: wee, say tewn ay-dee-syon lee-mee-tay
Meaning: Yes, it’s a limited edition.
In a Sentence:
- Person 1: Ce bracelet est-il unique? (Is this bracelet unique?)
Person 2: Oui, c’est une édition limitée. (Yes, it’s a limited edition.)
18. Merci, c’est un design moderne.
Pronunciation: mehr-see, say tewn dee-zine moh-dern
Meaning: Thank you, it’s a modern design.
In a Sentence:
- Person 1: Tes boucles d’oreilles sont superbes! (Your earrings are gorgeous!)
Person 2: Merci, c’est un design moderne. (Thank you, it’s a modern design.)
19. Oui, c’est une pierre précieuse.
Pronunciation: wee, say tewn pyerr pray-syuhz
Meaning: Yes, it’s a precious stone.
In a Sentence:
- Person 1: Cette bague est-elle en diamant? (Is this ring made of diamond?)
Person 2: Oui, c’est une pierre précieuse. (Yes, it’s a precious stone.)
20. Merci, je l’ai conçu moi-même.
Pronunciation: mehr-see, juh lay kon-syuh mwah-mehm
Meaning: Thank you, I designed it myself.
In a Sentence:
- Person 1: Ce bijou est incroyable! (This jewelry is amazing!)
Person 2: Merci, je l’ai conçu moi-même. (Thank you, I designed it myself.)
Exercise to Practice “Jewelry” Vocabulary in French
Below is a fill-in-the-blank exercise to help you practice the vocabulary related to “jewelry” in French. Each sentence is realistic and easy to relate to everyday situations. Fill in the blanks using the appropriate word or phrase from the vocabulary learned above.
Fill-in-the-Blanks (French)
- J’aime porter un __________ simple avec une chaîne en argent. (Meaning: I like wearing a simple __________ with a silver chain.)
- Elle a reçu une __________ pour son anniversaire. (Meaning: She received a __________ for her birthday.)
- Les __________ de ma grand-mère sont très précieux. (Meaning: My grandmother’s __________ are very precious.)
- Ce __________ en diamant est vraiment magnifique! (Meaning: This __________ with diamonds is truly beautiful!)
- Ils ont acheté une __________ en perles pour leur mariage. (Meaning: They bought a __________ with pearls for their wedding.)
- J’ai trouvé cette __________ lors de mon voyage en Italie. (Meaning: I found this __________ during my trip to Italy.)
- Mon amie m’a offert une belle __________ artisanale. (Meaning: My friend gave me a beautiful handcrafted __________.)
- Ce __________ ancien a été fait en or massif. (Meaning: This antique __________ was made of solid gold.)
- Le __________ de ce bracelet est cassé. (Meaning: The __________ of this bracelet is broken.)
- J’ai acheté des __________ dans une joaillerie célèbre à Paris. (Meaning: I bought some __________ at a famous jewelry store in Paris.)
- Elle porte toujours un __________ assorti à sa robe. (Meaning: She always wears a __________ that matches her dress.)
- Les __________ précieuses brillent dans la lumière. (Meaning: The __________ shine in the light.)
Answers
- pendentif (pendant)
- bague (ring)
- bijoux (jewelry)
- collier (necklace)
- parure (jewelry set)
- broche (brooch)
- bracelet (bracelet)
- bijou (piece of jewelry)
- fermoir (clasp)
- bijoux (jewelry)
- collier (necklace)
- pierres (stones)
Conclusion
Learning how to say “jewelry” in French and using related vocabulary opens up exciting opportunities for conversations, especially when traveling or shopping. Whether you’re talking about a beautiful “collier” (necklace), a precious “bague” (ring), or an intricate “parure” (jewelry set), you now have the words to express yourself clearly and confidently.
By practicing these phrases and responses, you’ll not only enhance your language skills but also enjoy discussing and admiring fine jewelry in French-speaking settings. Keep practicing the exercises and applying these terms in real-life situations. Soon, speaking about jewelry in French will feel as natural as in English!