Nikon Lenses: Learning about them?

So I still don't understand Nikon lenses.

VR?
G?
Nikkor?

What do those things mean?

AF-"S"? I know AF is for Auto Focus, but what is the S? Stabilization? This one I ask just in case it means something else for Nikon. Since I know Nikon does have different names for some things, like DX = Cropped and FX = Full Frame.

Also, Which are the top of the line lenses? I know with Canon it's anything with the red ring and "L" on it.

Nikon looks to have the right stuff for me. So I would like to learn all I can about their lenses before I dive right in.

Here is a link to the Nikon glossary
http://www.nikonusa.com/...index.page

The Nikon webpage also has a help video on lenses.

Here is a list of different lens features and compatibility.
http://www.kenrockwell.com/...y-lens.htm

VR are the lenses that have vibration reduction
Nikkor is the branding of the Nikon lenses

AF-S are the newest, fastest aoto-focus lenses
AF are the older legacy auto-focus lenses that work with advanced Nikon cameras like the D90 and above, but are being slowly replaced by AF-S lenses

The S in AF-S stands for the 'Silent Wave Motor' motors in them

DX are the cropped frame lenses and cameras, the FX are the lenses for the full frame cameras, however you can use both lenses on both type cameras

Top of the line Nikkor lenses use ED elements and have Nano-crystal lens coating.

Now here is a link to all the current Nikkor lenses

http://www.nikonusa.com/...index.page" class='ext_link'>http://www.nikonusa.com/...index.page

And this is what the various lens focal lengths "see" on DX and FX bodies

http://imaging.nikon.com/.../index.htm

VR = Vibration Reduction, similar to IS (image stabilizer) on canon lenses.
G = lens without an aperture ring
The "S" in AF-S means "silent" -wave focus motor in lenses equipped with the feature, similar to USM on canon lenses.
Nikon's top-of-the-line lenses typically have a gold ring and/or ED in their designation.

"Nikkor" is the name of Nikon's lens line.

"VR" is Vibration Reduction which is Nikonspeak for Image Stabilization (IS) which Canon appropriated and uses to designate their stabilized lenses. So when you see VR used in a Nikkor lens description you know its a stabilized lens.

The "G" after the aperture number, i.e., f3.5-5.6G or f2.8G, etc.tells you that that lens doesn't have an aperture ring and the aperture must be controlled through the camera itself.

Nikkor lenses designated as "AF-S" tells you that the lens has its own focusing motor and can be used on the entry-level Nikon DSLR cameras such as the D3100, D3200, D5000, D5200 and will auto focus on them. Nikkor "AF" lenses can be used on those models but will have to be manually focused.

Top line Nikkor lenses are the "FX" versions. Here is a complete list of all currently available Nikkor lenses:
http://www.nikonusa.com/en/Nikon-Products/Camera-Lenses/All-Lenses/index.page Price is also a good indicator of lens quality.