bejewel

Bejewel is a transitive verb meaning to decorate or adorn with jewels or precious stones. In jewelry design and fashion writing, to bejewel a piece refers to the process of setting stones into metal or other materials to enhance beauty and value.

Etymology: The word is formed from the prefix be- attached to jewel. It appears in English from the early modern period. Spelling variants include bejeweled (American English) and bejewelled (British English), with corresponding participles bejeweled or bejewelled.

Usage and connotations: Bejeweling a piece is common in high-end jewelry, ceremonial regalia, and decorative crafts. The term can describe both the act of setting stones and the overall appearance of gem-set items, such as bejewelled crowns or bejeweled pendants.

In culture and literature, bejewelled objects are often used to convey wealth, status, and splendor, while some contexts emphasize craft and artistry in gem-setting.

See also: jewelry, gem-setting, gemstone.