Lariat
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a type of necklace consisting of a long strand that is sometimes looped into a
knot or used with a slide so the two ends hang free. Also a term to indicate a
necklace more than 45" in length.
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Lavalier
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pendant with dangling stone that hangs from a necklace.
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Lead Crystal
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a glass made with lead oxide which gives the glass better sparkle or higher
index of refraction.
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Lobster claw clasp
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a clasp for a necklace or bracelet that has an elongated hook resembling a
lobster claw. The hook has a spring mechanism and opens to clasp a small
ring on the other end of the chain or strand.
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Locket
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a small, hinged case often in the shape of a heart or an oval suspended from
a necklace. The wearer often places a photograph or memento inside the
case.
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Lucite
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an acrylic resin patented by DuPont in 1937. Often used as a generic term for
plastic.
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Maltese cross
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a cross symbol with arms of equal lengths and triangular or arrow-shaped
arms and points toward the center.
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Marcasite
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crystallized iron pyrites with a gray, metallic luster. Often used in sterling silver
jewelry.
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Marquise
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an oval rhinestone or gem that tapers to a point at each end. Called a
"navette" in rhinestone jewelry.
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Matinee length
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single strand necklace from 22 to 23"
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Matte
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a dull finish on beads or metals
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Melee
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small diamond, under .20 carat
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Micromosaic
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decorations made of small pieces of material like stone, much like a mosaic
only smaller
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Millefiori
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technique in glassmaking where colored glass canes are fused together to
form patterns (typically flowers) with a mosaic like appearance when sliced.
Used in beads.
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Mollusk
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an invertebrate animal usually enclosed in a shell, such as an oyster, mussel
or clam.
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Moonglow
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type of plastic bead or cabochon where the bead appears to radiate light or
glow from within
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MOP
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abbreviation for Mother of Pearl
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Mother of pearl
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the iridescent material on the inside surface of mollusk shells. This material
can be sliced thin and used on watch dials or as an inlay in other types of
jewelry. Mother-of-pearl is most commonly milky white but also comes in other
colors, such as silvery gray, gray-blue and pink.
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Mourning jewelry
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type of jewelry, usually black, worn when mourning the loss of a loved one.
Worn as a remembrance of the deceased. Historically, money was set aside
in one's will to have mourning jewelry made to be given to people in
attendance at the funeral.
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Murano glass
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glass from factories near Venice, Italy
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Nacre
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whitish substance that mollusks secrete around a foreign object. Pearls are
made nacre in layers.
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Navette
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a gemstone which is cut as a marquise
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Niello
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a method of metal decoration where an engraving is made and the lines are
filled in with black color.
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Nickel silver
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also known as German silver. Alloy consisting of 60 percent copper, 20
percent nickel, 20 percent zinc
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