Artificial Jewellery Labels Decoded: AAA, Premium and Brass

Updated October 2026

Artificial jewellery listings are full of words that sound technical and mean very little. There is no single official grading scheme for fashion jewellery in India, so the same word can mean different things at different shops. This guide separates labels that describe what a piece is made of from labels that only describe how the seller feels about it.

What does AAA or premium mean on artificial jewellery?

In practice, AAA and premium are marketing words. For stones such as American diamond, AAA is often used to suggest clearer, more even stones, but it is not an enforced standard, so it only helps if you can see the stones in good photos. Treat it as a hint to check, never as proof of quality.

What do brass, alloy and base metal mean?

They describe what is under the finish. Brass is a copper-zinc metal, and alloy means a mix of metals, both common in plated fashion jewellery. A clear material line is a good sign. Saloni lists most pieces as gold-plated or silver-plated brass or alloy, with a very small number of genuine sterling silver pieces marked as such. Read more in what imitation jewellery is made of.

What is the difference between plated, micro plated and one gram gold?

Plated means a thin metal layer applied over a base metal. Micro plating and one gram gold are terms for a plated finish, not solid gold, and the thickness is rarely stated. Our guides on one gram gold and gold-plated, rhodium and oxidised silver explain what to expect.

What does first copy or replica mean?

These terms usually suggest a design that imitates another brand or style. For a buyer in India they are a warning to ask questions, because they say nothing about material or finish. Prefer a seller that names the actual materials and shows its own photos. Our comparison of fashion, imitation and artificial jewellery covers the vocabulary.

Which details should a good listing include?

Look for the material, finish name, size or length, weight where useful, number of pieces in the set, clear photos from more than one angle, and a stated return policy. Our guide to reading measurements on a product page shows how to use them.

How can you verify a label yourself?

Zoom into the photos and look at stone edges, claw settings, back finishing and the clasp. Compare the product title with the material line and check whether the weight and size are stated. If a seller will not tell you the base metal or finish, treat that as an answer. A tidy, specific listing is a stronger signal than any single buzzword.

Can you ask Saloni what a label means?

Yes. If a listing word is unclear, message the team on WhatsApp with the product name and the question, and we will tell you the material and finish as listed. That is faster than guessing and costs nothing, and it works for any piece on the site, including the few sterling silver items that are marked as such.

A practical rule for shoppers: spend your attention on facts you can check, and ignore adjectives. Facts include the base metal, the finish name, the stone type, the measurements and the return terms. Adjectives include premium, luxury, best, top quality and designer look. If two listings show similar pieces, choose the one with more facts and clearer photos, even when the price is slightly higher. Over many purchases, that habit saves far more money than hunting for the lowest price, because it keeps you from buying pieces that look different on arrival. It also makes it easier to compare shops fairly. If you are comparing shops, write down the same five facts for each piece: base metal, finish, stone type, size and return terms. Missing facts are information too. Shops that publish all five are easier to trust, and they are also easier to hold to what they said if something arrives different from the photo. Ask for a close-up photo or a short video of the exact piece when a listing is vague, because most honest sellers will happily send one. Clear answers before you pay are the best sign that a shop will also sort things out afterwards.

To see how a clear listing looks, browse gold plated jewellery, silver plated jewellery and American diamond jewellery, or start with a set from necklace sets.

More from this series: jewellery finishes explained and the getting-ready order for jewellery. Browse by budget or outfit, read about us on our About page, or see all guides on the blog.

Questions about a piece? WhatsApp Saloni Fashion Jewellery on +91 98705 89560. Free shipping across India, dispatch in 1-2 days, delivery in 4-15 days.