Class 14 under the Nice Classification covers precious metals, jewelry, precious stones, horological and chronometric instruments.

Scope

Class 14 includes articles made of precious metals or set with precious stones, as well as timepieces.

Goods covered under this class generally include:

• Precious metals and their alloys
• Jewelry, including rings, necklaces, bracelets, and earrings
• Precious and semi-precious stones
• Watches, clocks, and chronometric instruments
• Watch straps and cases
• Cufflinks, tie pins, and key rings made of precious metal
• Works of art made of precious metal

Classification principle: If the product is made of precious metal, contains precious stones, or is a timepiece, it generally falls within Class 14.

Key Updates – Nice Classification (2026 Update)

As per the Nice Classification updates 2026, the following clarifications are particularly relevant to Class 14:

• Clearer distinction between:
  • Precious metal jewelry (Class 14), and
  • Imitation jewelry and fashion accessories (Class 26)
• Refined terminology to reduce overlap with:
  • Smartwatches with significant electronic functions (Class 9)
  • Luxury writing instruments (Class 16)

Smart jewelry with embedded technology and lab-grown gemstone jewelry are now more clearly classified based on the dominant nature of the product. Smartwatches remain primarily in Class 9 unless they are purely mechanical timepieces.

Practical takeaway: For hybrid luxury-tech products, describe the dominant feature to determine whether Class 14 or Class 9 applies.

Goods NOT Included in Class 14 (But Commonly Confused)

The following goods are excluded from Class 14, despite frequent misclassification:

• Imitation jewelry and costume jewelry (Class 26)
• Smartwatches and wearable computers (Class 9)
• Household articles of precious metal (Class 21)
• Cutlery of precious metal (Class 8)