Jewellery or Jewelleries: Understanding the Correct Usage and Meaning
The English language is full of nuances, and one such case is the use of the word “jewellery” and its supposed plural form “jewelleries.” This article aims to provide a detailed explanation about the correct usage, grammatical rules, and real-world context of these terms. We’ll explore their meanings, origins, differences, and usage in both spoken and written English.
1. What Is Jewellery?
Jewellery (British English) or jewelry (American English) refers to personal ornaments such as necklaces, rings, bracelets, earrings, and brooches that are typically made from precious metals and gemstones.
✔ Example:
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She wore elegant jewellery to the wedding.
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The store specializes in gold and diamond jewellery.
2. Jewellery: Is It Countable or Uncountable?
In standard English grammar, jewellery is an uncountable noun. This means:
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It does not have a plural form.
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It cannot be used with numbers unless accompanied by a unit or measure word.
✔ Correct Usage:
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I bought some beautiful pieces of jewellery.
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She owns a lot of jewellery.
✘ Incorrect Usage:
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I bought three jewelleries.
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She owns many jewelleries.
3. What About “Jewelleries”?
The word “jewelleries” is grammatically incorrect in standard modern English. Native English speakers do not use “jewelleries” as a plural form. However, it may occasionally appear in non-native or poetic usage, academic texts in certain contexts, or regional variations, but it is not accepted in formal English.
✔ Instead of “jewelleries,” use:
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Types of jewellery
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Pieces of jewellery
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Collections of jewellery
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Jewellery items
4. Examples of Correct Usage in Sentences
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She displayed several pieces of antique jewellery in the showcase.
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The museum features a collection of ancient Egyptian jewellery.
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He gave her a beautiful piece of jewellery for her birthday.
5. Word Origin and Spelling Variants
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Jewellery: British, Australian, Canadian, Indian, South African English
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Jewelry: American English
The word comes from the Old French “jouel” meaning jewel, and evolved into “jewellery” in British English.
6. How to Talk About Multiple Jewellery Items?
Since “jewellery” is uncountable, here are acceptable ways to talk about more than one item:
| Phrase | Example |
|---|---|
| A piece of jewellery | She received a lovely piece of jewellery. |
| Several pieces of jewellery | He inherited several pieces of valuable jewellery. |
| Different types of jewellery | The store sells various types of jewellery. |
| Jewellery items | All the jewellery items are handmade. |
7. Common Mistakes to Avoid
| Incorrect | Correct |
|---|---|
| Many jewelleries | Many pieces of jewellery |
| Three jewelleries | Three jewellery items |
| A jewellery | A piece of jewellery |
8. Jewellery in Context: British vs American Usage
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British English: “She wore silver jewellery to the event.”
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American English: “She wore silver jewelry to the event.”
In both dialects, the word is still uncountable, and “jewelleries” is not considered proper in either form.
9. Conclusion
To summarize:
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“Jewellery” is the correct and standard term (British English).
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It is an uncountable noun, just like “furniture” or “luggage.”
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The word “jewelleries” is not used in proper English and should be avoided.
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Use “pieces of jewellery” or “types of jewellery” when referring to multiple items.
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Always consider your audience: use “jewelry” for American contexts and “jewellery” for British or Commonwealth usage.
10. Bonus: Quick Grammar Tip
If you’re ever unsure about countable vs uncountable nouns, remember: