Jewelry vs. Jewellery — What's the Difference?
By Tayyaba Rehman — Updated on November 3, 2023
"Jewelry" is the American English spelling for ornaments like rings and necklaces; "Jewellery" is the British/Commonwealth spelling.
Difference Between Jewelry and Jewellery
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
"Jewelry" is the preferred spelling in American English for decorative items worn for personal adornment, such as rings, earrings, necklaces, and bracelets. This spelling is used in the United States and is recognized globally due to the influence of American English. The word "jewelry" reflects the American English practice of simpler, more phonetic spellings.
On the other hand, "Jewellery" is the spelling used in British English and by English-speaking countries in the Commonwealth. It is the same type of decorative items as "jewelry" but reflects the British tradition of more complex orthography. In publications and stores in the UK, Canada, Australia, and other such countries, "jewellery" will be the spelling you encounter.
In the context of manufacturing, American companies will market their products as "jewelry," aligning with the American spelling conventions. However, British and Commonwealth companies will use "jewellery" in their marketing and branding, staying true to the form of English they operate in. Despite the spelling differences, both words refer to the same category of items.
The pronunciation of "jewelry" and "jewellery" is slightly different due to the extra syllable in the British spelling, but the difference is often subtle in casual speech. The American version tends to be pronounced as "jool-ry," while the British version sounds more like "jool-uh-ree." Regardless of these differences, speakers from one region typically understand the term used by the other.
Search engines and digital platforms may differentiate between "jewelry" and "jewellery." An American searching online for "jewelry" might receive different results than a Briton searching for "jewellery." This demonstrates the regionalization of the English language and how digital systems recognize and cater to these variations.
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Comparison Chart
Spelling Variance
American English spelling
British/Commonwealth English spelling
Number of Syllables
Two syllables: "jool-ry"
Three syllables: "jool-uh-ree"
Usage by Countries
United States
United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, etc.
Lexical Preference
Preferred in American publications
Preferred in British and Commonwealth publications
Online Search Results
Search engines in the US favor this spelling
Search engines in the UK favor this spelling
Compare with Definitions
Jewelry
Items of personal adornment that often hold sentimental value.
Her most treasured piece of jewelry was a simple gold locket.
Jewellery
Adornments such as necklaces, rings, and bracelets.
Her jewellery collection included pieces from all over the world.
Jewelry
Ornaments made from precious metals and gems.
The bride wore her grandmother's jewelry on her wedding day.
Jewellery
Crafted pieces made from valuable materials.
The crown jewels are some of the most famous pieces of jewellery.
Jewelry
Accessories often given as a sign of affection.
He gave her a piece of jewelry for their anniversary.
Jewellery
Wearable art that enhances personal style.
For the gala, she chose jewellery that made a bold statement.
Jewelry
Decorative items worn on the body.
She admired the sparkling jewelry in the display case.
Jewellery
Embellishments that can symbolize status or wealth.
Heirloom jewellery often passes through generations.
Jewelry
Artistic pieces designed by jewelers.
The museum featured an exhibit of ancient jewelry.
Jewellery
Creations by artisans specializing in decorative wearables.
She apprenticed under a master to learn how to make fine jewellery.
Jewelry
Ornaments, such as bracelets, necklaces, or rings, especially when made of precious metals set with gems.
Jewellery
Jewellery or jewelry consists of decorative items worn for personal adornment, such as brooches, rings, necklaces, earrings, pendants, bracelets, and cufflinks. Jewellery may be attached to the body or the clothes.
Jewelry
Standard spelling of jewellery
Jewellery
Personal ornaments, such as necklaces, rings, or bracelets, that are typically made from or contain jewels and precious metal
She had silver hair and chunky gold jewellery
A jewellery box
Jewelry
(intransitive) To make jewelry.
Jewellery
Collectively, personal ornamentation such as rings, necklaces, brooches and bracelets, made of precious metals and sometimes set with gemstones.
She had more jewellery ornamented about her than any three ladies needed.
Jewelry
(intransitive) To adorn with jewelry or make into jewelry.
Jewellery
See Jewelry.
Jewelry
The art or trade of a jeweler.
Jewellery
An adornment (as a bracelet or ring or necklace) made of precious metals and set with gems (or imitation gems)
Jewelry
Jewels, collectively; as, a bride's jewelry.
Jewelry
An adornment (as a bracelet or ring or necklace) made of precious metals and set with gems (or imitation gems)
Common Curiosities
Can I use "jewelry" in the UK?
While understood, "jewellery" is the preferred spelling in the UK.
Does "jewelry" mean the same as "jewellery"?
Yes, they both refer to decorative wearable items.
Is "jewelry" or "jewellery" the correct spelling?
Both are correct; "jewelry" is American English, and "jewellery" is British English.
Will search engines differentiate between "jewelry" and "jewellery"?
Yes, depending on your location, search results may vary.
Will online stores list both "jewelry" and "jewellery"?
They might, to cater to customers from different English-speaking regions.
Are "jewelry" and "jewellery" pronounced the same?
They are similar, but "jewellery" often has an extra syllable.
Is one spelling more correct than the other in academic writing?
Use the spelling that corresponds with the variety of English you're writing in.
Will English language learners need to know both "jewelry" and "jewellery"?
It’s helpful, but they should prioritize the version relevant to their learning context.
Should I change my spelling of "jewelry" or "jewellery" when writing for an international audience?
It's not necessary, but be consistent with the version of English you are using.
Why does American English use "jewelry"?
American English often adopts simplified spellings.
Do "jewelry" and "jewellery" have different historical origins?
No, they come from the same etymological roots, just spelled differently.
Can the spelling "jewelry" affect SEO?
Yes, using "jewelry" might improve SEO in the US, and "jewellery" might work better in the UK.
Are there any pronunciation tips for "jewelry" vs. "jewellery"?
"Jewelry" is often pronounced faster with less emphasis on the second syllable.
Do any English variants use a different spelling from "jewelry" or "jewellery"?
No, most English variants use one of these two spellings.
Does "jewelry" appear in American dictionaries?
Yes, American dictionaries use the spelling "jewelry."
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Written by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
