What is the Difference Between Jewelry and Jewellery?

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The difference between "jewelry" and "jewellery" lies in the spelling and the variety of English being used. Both terms refer to articles, especially of gold, silver, or precious stones, used for personal adornment. Here are the key points:

  • Jewelry is the preferred spelling in American English.
  • Jewellery is the preferred spelling in British English, Australian English, and other varieties of English from outside North America.
  • Both spellings appear in Canadian English, but "jewelry" prevails by a two-to-one margin.

The spelling difference extends to related terms such as "jeweler" (American English) and "jeweller" (British and Australian English), as well as to other derivatives like "jeweled"–"jewelled" and "jeweling"–"jewelling".

Comparative Table: Jewelry vs Jewellery

The difference between "jewelry" and "jewellery" lies in their spellings and the regions where they are used. Both words refer to decorative items worn for personal adornment, such as necklaces, rings, bracelets, earrings, and brooches. Here is a table summarizing the differences:

Term Spelling Region
Jewelry Jewelry American English, Canadian English
Jewellery Jewellery British English, Australian English, Indian English, South African English

In summary, "jewelry" is the preferred spelling in American English and Canadian English, while "jewellery" is the preferred spelling in British English, Australian English, Indian English, and South African English.