14K
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indicates 14 karat gold, or 14 parts gold to 10 parts other metals, or 58.33%
pure gold.
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18K
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indicates 18 karat gold, or by weight 18 parts gold to 6 parts other metals, or
75% pure gold.
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22K
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indicates 22 karat gold, or by weight 22 parts gold to 2 parts other metals,
or 91.66% pure gold.
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24K
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indicates 24 karat gold, or pure gold.
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925
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a mark on sterling silver meaning 925 parts silver per 1000
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AB
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abbreviation for Aurora Borealis
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Acrylic
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type of plastic. Lucite and Plexiglas are examples of acrylics
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Agate
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a type of chalcedony quartz found in many colors and patterns, often with
layers of varying colors. Agate is believed to quench thirst and divert storms.
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Albert Chain
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watch chain with a bar at one end and on the other end a swivel to hold a
watch.
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Amber
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amber is a flammable, translucent fossilized conifer tree resin. Rubbing
amber produces static electricity.
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Amethyst
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precious form of quartz, purple or violet in color, the yellow variety is known
as citrine
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Antiquing
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a darkening of the recessed areas metal to enhance the visibility of the
engraving and/or achieve an "older" appearance.
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Aquamarine
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a translucent, light blue gemstone that is in the beryl family. Aquamarine is
the birthstone for March.
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Art Deco
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style popular from 1910 through the 1920's, featuring geometric lines and
patterns with very few curves.
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Articulated
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having moving parts, joints or segments
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Art Nouveau
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style popular from late 19th to early 20th center, characterized by stylized
natural forms like leaves and flowers in flowing lines.
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Arts and Crafts
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was an artistic movement at the end of the 1800's that produced pieces that
purposely look hand-made. The Arts and Crafts movement also revived the
art of enamel.
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Asscher Cut
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Developed early in the 20th century, this is a diamond cut that resembles an
emerald cut but it is square with wide step facets and deep clipped corners
that make the stone look like an octagon.
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Aurora Borealis
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term meaning "northern lights", indicative of a coating on rhinestones that
have iridescent qualities where many colors are reflected.
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Baguette
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small, rectangular-shaped and faceted gemstone
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Bail
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a metal loop from which a pendant, watch, stone or other jewelry piece may
be hung from a chain or cord.
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Bakelite
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also known as catalin, is a synthetic resin (plastic) patented by L. H.
Baekeland in 1907. Bakelite is made from carbolic acid and formaldehyde
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Bangle
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a style of rigid bracelet that slips over the hand or closes with a hinged clasp.
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Bar pin
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a long pin that is worn horizontally.
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Baroque
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term for irregularly-shaped stones or pearls
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Bezel
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the top, forward facing rim or edge of a ring which holds the stone
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Briolettes
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teardrop shaped faceted stone or gemstone
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Brooch
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a large pin used for ornament that can be pinned to a garment or hat.
Generally a brooch is larger than a "pin"
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Brooch watch
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a watch with a pin back so it is worn like a brooch.
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Bugle bead
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a long, tube shaped bead made of glass
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Cable chain
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a chain made of oval intersecting links which lie at 90 degrees to each other
as opposed to curb chain where the links are twisted to enable the chain to
lie flat.
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Cabochon
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"stone" of any material generally with a smooth, rounded top and no facets.
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Cameo
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carving to reveal a raised design often with layers of different colors of
stone, reverse of intaglio. Stone, shell, coral and lava are traditionally
materials used to make cameos.
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Cameo Habille
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a type of cameo where the head is decorated with earrings, necklace, or
other head ornament typically set with a small stone or rhinestone.
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Carat
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measure of weight for precious stones equal to 200 milligrams. One of the 4
C's of diamond grading. One carat is equal to 100 points.
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Casting
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the process where metal is poured into a mold to form a shape
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Celluloid
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one of the first plastics invented. A flammable plastic made from cellulose
(plants) invented in 1869 by J.W. Hyatt to be a substitute for the elephant
ivory used for billiard balls.
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Chain mail
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a mesh of tiny rings (chains) woven together to form a fabric of metal
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Chaton
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a rhinestone with a reflective metal foil backing. Also the central ornament of
a ring.
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Chevron
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a design motif consisting of short lines joining at angles to form an inverted
V.
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Choker
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type of necklace that fits snugly around the neck, usually 14" to 16" in length.
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Cinnabar
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often carved mineral mercury sulfide ranging in color from cinnamon to brick
red can be translucent to transparent.
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Cipher
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a monogram of intertwined letters
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Citrine
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the yellow semi-precious form of quartz. Named after the French for lemon,
citron. The purple form is amethyst.
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Claddagh
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Irish symbol where two hands embrace a heart, topped by a crown. The
hands symbolize faith, the heart, love, and the crown, loyalty and fidelity.
Commonly seen in a claddagh ring.
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Clarity
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one of the 4 C's of diamond grading. Gemstones with the highest clarity
contain few or no inclusions (imperfections) in the stone's crystalline
structure. Clarity is graded with a 10x magnifier. The clarity rating of a
diamond ranges from FL (flawless) to I (inclusions visible to the naked eye).
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Cloisonne
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method of enameling where metal wire is made into a frame, usually a
design or pattern, which is then filled with enamel.
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Cluster setting
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a setting of small beads or stones are set, usually around a larger bead or
stone
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Cocktail ring
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usually a flashy, large ring set with precious or semiprecious stones.
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Color
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one of the 4 C's of diamond grading. The letters D through Z are used to
designate a diamond's color with D being colorless and Z-graded stones
having a lot of color.
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Crystal
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high quality glass that contains lead oxide to make it more reflective;
resembles rock crystal
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Cubic zirconia
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lab-produced stone that resembles a diamond but much less expensive.
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Cuff bracelet
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bracelet in semi rigid form open on one side allowing the wrist to pass
through instead of over the hand
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Cultured Pearl
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a pearl induced to form by human placement of a grain of sand or other
object within the shell of a pearl oyster or mussel.
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Curb Chain
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a chain made of oval flattened links that are twisted so as to lie flat
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