Glossary
4 C’s / Four C’s – These are descriptors of gemstones used to determine a gem’s, particularly a diamond’s, value. The 4 C’s are carat, clarity, color and cut.
Alloy – A combination of metals blended together and bonded chemically. In jewelry, this is intended to strengthen a weaker precious metal such as gold or silver.
Amethyst – A gemstone that is purple in color and is now considered to be a semi precious gem instead of a precious gem as it was before huge deposits of amethyst were discovered in Brazil during the 1700’s.
Antique – Any piece of jewelry or other collectible that is one hundred years old or older.
Antiquing – The process of making a precious metal appear to be older than it is by darkening parts of it to provide a ‘patina’ effect that suggests age.
Baguette – A cut for gemstones that is narrow and in the shape of a rectangle.
Bezel – A gemstone setting that utilizes a collar around the stone as an alternative to prongs of metal to hold the stone in place.
Blue Topaz – An alternative coloration for topaz that is created by applying intense heat to the typically brown stone in order to turn it a vivid blue.
Box Setting – This is a setting for a gem that folds edges of metal around the gem in order to secure its position. Also referred to as a ‘gypsy setting’.
Brilliant Cut – This is a cut, a complicated stone cut that gives a total of 58 separate facets. Meant to maximize the ‘fire’ of a diamond, it can be performed on other gems but not all stones benefit from this cut.
Briolette Cut – A gemstone shaped like a pear or tear drop and faceted.
Brooch – From the French word ‘broche’ which means ‘to pierce’, this is a pin worn as ornamental jewelry and can include precious metals and gems.
Cabochon – A dome shaped cut for gemstones that does not give them any facets.
Channel Setting – A setting for gems which lines them up to form ‘lines’ of the gems, common for diamonds.
Choker – A tight fitting necklace of short length usually intended to display a gem across the collarbone area at the base of the neck.
Electro-plating – A process by which electricity is run through a precious metal, such as gold, in order to apply it to the surface of jewelry.
Engraving – The process of etching words or designs into a metal as a decorative effect.
Facet – The polished surface of a gemstone cut to provide a flat plane that catches light.
Fire – The effect, mostly in diamonds, of light being ‘caught’ and ‘thrown’ through the facets of a gem. Part of determining a stone’s value.
Gilding – The process of gold plating another base metal in jewelry, as in ‘to gilt’ a piece. This is generally done to help make an item more affordable. Must be bonded with at least 0.0025 mm of gold.
Hallmark – This is the mark of purity stamped into precious metals such as gold or silver. Required in Europe, customary in the US.
Hardness – Measured by the Moh’s scale of hardness, this is a gem’s resistance to scratching and damage. Diamonds have the highest rating.
Inlay – A decorative process whereby the surface is chiseled or otherwise scraped away to reveal a surface beneath, usually a design.
Iridescent – A rainbow of colors shown by diamonds or pearls. Similar to what is seen on the surface of a bubble or oil.
Karat – A unit used to measure the ‘fineness’ of gold. 14K is standard in the US, pure gold is 24K.
Marquis Cut – A cut for gemstones that resembles an elongated oval which tapers to points at both ends.
Matte – A finish applied to the surface of metals used in jewelry, generally using chemicals or some abrasive tool. Creates a rougher look. Also called brushed or satin finish.
Mother of Pearl – The material found inside the shells of oysters, abalones and other sea creatures. Resembles pearl and is often used as an inlay.
Mounting – Metal used in a ring or other jewelry to hold a gemstone in place.
Opaque – A description of the quality of a gemstone, it means that unlike transparent or translucent, no light will pass through the stone.
Oxidized – A quality metal obtains after being exposed to oxygen. Oxidized metal is referred to as rusted.
Pave Setting – A setting for gems that clusters a large number of stones alongside or around a central gemstone.
Patina – The discoloration of silver or bronze that is a natural darkening of the metal. Can also be applied by chemicals through the process of ‘antiquing’.
Pear Cut – This cut has the gemstone being rounded at one end and tapering to a point at the opposite end.
Precious Metal – There are three metals considered ‘precious’: gold, silver and platinum.
Princess Cut – Similar to a brilliant cut, but cut to a square shape instead of round and featuring many facets.
Prong Setting – A setting meant to hold a gemstone to jewelry using small, elongated prongs of metal that bend over the stone, securing it in place.
Radiant Cut – Similar to a brilliant cut, featuring 70 facets but shaped like a rectangle.
Ring Sizes – Several systems exist. In the United States, ring sizes run from 1 to 13. In the UK, sizes range from A to Z. In Europe, sizes range between 38 and 70, the numbers representing the circumference of the ring’s interior. In the US, most women are ring sizes 7 or 6, while men are size 10 or 11.
Soldering – A process that applies heat to a joining metal that is melted where two or more metal parts of jewelry join. Once the joining metal dries, the hold is firm.
Trapeze Cut – A cut given to a gemstone that creates the shape of a triangle that is flat across the top.
Vermeil – Silver that has been gilded with gold or gold plated.Glo