Jewelry 101
A Quick Guide & Glossary
TABLE OF CONTENTS
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Minerals, Rocks,
Crystals, & Gemstones: Synonymous or Not?
All of our jewelry is made with high quality gemstones, also known as crystals. We use over 30 different types of crystals in different shapes, cuts, & colors. These incredible, naturally made stones have deep history behind them. Ancient cultures have constructed lore & stories about them & they are well known for their use in holistic medicine. As you can tell these gems have an extensive background! We put together a short guide to introduce you to the different stones we use, the history & mythical stories behind them, & the healing powers they possess ✩☽
What is a crystal?
By definition, a crystal is any special kind of solid material where the molecules fit together in a repeating pattern.
They are formed underground from three-dimensional patterns of atoms!
These fantastic patterns are the reason why crystals are found in many different unique shapes of all sizes!
They are formed by a process crystallization.
Crystallization happens when liquids change their state by cooling down & hardening. As the molecules in the liquid begin to become stable, specific molecules will gather together in a uniform & repeating pattern. & voila! A crystal is formed.
When volcanoes erupt hot lava spews out of them. Once the magma meets the outer surface of the volcano it will begin to cool. The process of liquid rock hardening by cooling is an awesome example of crystallization. Diamonds, rubies, & emeralds are only a few of the valuable crystals that are created this way.
This isn't the only way crystals are formed! When water evaporates from a mixture, the material left over can crystallize. You will see this happen when the water evaporates from a saline mixture (salt + water) & you are left with salt crystals.
What is the difference between a mineral, a crystal, & a rock?
A mineral is a naturally present inorganic element, whereas a rock is a structure made up of 2+ minerals formed together.
Crystallization refers to a mineral's crystalline structure - there are many different types of different crystals.
Crystals & rocks are both made of minerals.
Minerals, themselves, are made of a crystalline atomic structure. This highly organized structure is what gives minerals their chemical & physical characterizations.
There are 2,000+ known minerals on Earth & each one has a different crystalline structure.
Color, luster, streak, fracture, cleavage, hardness, & crystal form are all words to describe a mineral's characteristics.
All crystals are minerals, but not all minerals are crystals.
Crystals & rocks are both made from minerals, however ...
Rocks are composites of minerals with a less uniform, non-specific structure.
Rocks are minerals that are part of an aggregated solid.
Crystals are minerals formed into a highly organized crystalline structure.
Crystals are minerals that are not part of aggregated solid. Crystals are minerals that stand alone.
You can find crystals formed within rocks - a vein of quartz found inside an igneous rock, for example.
A mineral must have monetary & aesthetic value to be considered a gemstone.
A gemstone is a pieces of mineral crystal in its cut & polished form used to make jewelry or other adornments.
The most common misconception about gemstones is that they are incredibly rare. At one point in time Amethyst was thought to be scarce, but that isn't the case currently.
The price of the once rare & expensive Amethyst dropped due to how common the crystal turned out to be.
& there you have it, folks.
Although the words mineral, rock, crystal, & gemstone should not be used synonymously, they all play parts within each others definitions.
Gold Plate vs. Gold Fill vs.
Gold Plated Stainless Steel
Gold is our favorite type of metal to work with! We use a few different types in our jewelry, all of which are high quality materials. With that being said, it is important to know the differences in the metals in order to choose the piece that is perfect for you!
We use three different types of gold ❧
14K GOLD PLATE
14K GOLD FILL
14K & 18K GOLD PLATED
STAINLESS STEEL
Gold plated jewelry is made of a base metal that is dipped or painted in a thin layer of liquid 14k gold. It mimics the look of solid gold with an affordable price tag.
Gold-filled jewelry is made of many layers of gold alloy that is bonded using high heat & pressure. This process makes gold filled jewelry much thicker & more durable than gold plate.
Gold plated stainless steel is made two different ways - by electroplating or physical vapor deposition (PVD). This type of gold jewelry is affordable, durable, & hypoallergenic!
A Quick Comparison
Gold Plate
Gold Fill
Gold Plated
Stainless Steel
How is it made?
Electroplating -
A thin layer of liquid gold is
{ dipped or painted }
onto the base metal & bonded using electricity.
Also called bonded gold or rolled gold
Many layers of gold alloy are bonded to the base metal using high heat & pressure.
Electroplating or PVD
Electroplating - a thin layer of gold is bonded to the base metal by applying a direct electric current.
PVD {Physical Vapor Deposition} -
after the gold alloy is treated in a vacuum chamber, a thin layer is deposited onto it.
Gold Content
Less than 1%
5%
Less than 1%
Affordability
$
Budget-friendly
$$
More affordable than solid gold, but more expensive than any other type.
$
Budget-friendly
PVD Coated can be slightly more expensive than electroplated jewelry.
Durability
The thin layer of gold will flake or wear off quickly.
Very easily scratched.
Can withstand wear & tear. The many layers of gold are much stronger & better bonded to the base metal than the thin layer in gold-plated jewelry.
Electroplated - gold can flake or wear off quickly.
PVD - very durable! It is 4x harder than chrome, which makes it resistant to corrosion & scratching.
Highly resistant to sweat, perfume, & other chemicals that would otherwise harm your jewelry on contact
Longevity
Will last up to 5 years with proper care; ~1 year with daily use
Can last a lifetime with proper care; ~10 - 30 years
Electroplated
Will last up to 5 years with proper care; ~1 year with daily use.
PVD Coating
Will last 10+ years with proper care; 3+ years if worn everyday
Will it tarnish?
Yes. Once the thin gold layer flakes off the base metal is exposed, which is usually a metal that is easily tarnished, such as brass.
No, it will not tarnish with proper care. Visit our FAQ page for details.
Electroplated
No; the base metal is stainless steel, which will not tarnish.
PVD Coating
No. Gold coating is 10x thicker than electroplated & is highly resistant to corrosion.
Hypoallergenic?
No. Once the base metal is exposed, it can irritate sensitive skin.
Yes
Electroplated & PVD
Yes
For more information visit these pages on our site ☞
Bail
The connector at the top of the pendant, which allows the pendant to hang from a chain or jump ring.
Bezel
A setting for a stone, that has a collar instead of prongs, in order to secure the stone.
Birthstone
A gemstone that is symbolically associated with the month of one's birth.
Book Chain
A Victorian style of chain that is made in solid gold or sterling silver, in which each link is a rectangular folded piece of metal resembling a book.
Box Setting
A stone, enclosed in a box shaped setting with metal edges that are pressed down to hold the stone in place.
Braided
A jewelry design element in which multiple strands of an often precious metal appear to be woven together.
Brass
An alloy made up of roughly half copper & half zinc, which has a nice yellow color.
Brilliance
The intensity & amount of light reflecting from inside a diamond or gemstone.
Briolette
A pear-shaped, faceted stone.
Bronze
A very dense, heavy alloy of 60% copper & 40% tin.
Brooch
Either a large pin, or an ornamental piece of jewelry with a pin & clasp to be attached to clothing.
Brushed Finish
A texturing technique used on metals, where a series of tiny parallel lines are scratched onto the surface with a wire brush or polishing tool.
Cabochon
Dome-shaped stone, without facets.
Carat
A unit of weight for diamonds & other gemstones.
Carbuncle
A garnet cut en cabochon
Carnelian
A transluscent red or orange variety of calcedony, sometimes banded in red & orange design, similar to agate.
Charm
A jewelry pendant or trinket, often worn on a necklace or bracelet to ward off evil or ensure good fortune.
Choker
A short necklace; generally chokers are less than 14 inches, however, our chokers (at Saul & Saul Designs) are closer to 15 inches (between 14.75" & 15.5")
Citrine
A variation of quartz, citrine can take on many colors, ranging from light yellow to brilliant orange, which may sometimes be confused with fine imperial topaz
Clarity
A term used to measure the degree to which a gemstone is free from flaws
Coral
A form of Calcium Carbonate, secreted in long chains by coral polyps who live in colonies un Der the ocean.
Crown
The facets or portions of a gemstone, located above the girdle
Cut
A term which refers to the geometric proportions that dictate the reflection & refraction of light within a stone.
Dainty
A piece marked by delicate or diminutive beauty, form, or grace.
Dangle
An earring style that includes a focal point which drops below the earlobe & is intentionally flexible so as to dangle to & fro.
Drop
An earring style that includes a focal point which drops below the earlobe, often attached by a simple or adorned chain.
Earrings
An ornament for the ear, most commonly worn in the earlobe.
Electro-plating
The process of applying metal, most often gold, to adhere to the surface of another metal, using an electrical current.
Emerald
A gemstone of the beryl family
Emerald Cut
A type of shape & cut, emphasizing long parallel step cuts with clipped corders to create an octagon shaped.
Enamel
A glass powder or paste that is applied to metal, then fired in an annealing oven to bake the glass into the metal.
Engagement
The period of time between a proposal & marriage
Engagement Ring
A ring given in betrothal
Engraving
The process of decorating metal by etching a design into its surface
Etching
The removal of part of a metal surface, by acid, for a decorative effect
Facet
A plain, polished surface on a stone
Feather
An internal flaw (inclusion) that has a feathery appearance
Findings
Findings is a broad term that applies to a number of different types of components used to create a piece of jewelry. These materials include, but are not limited to, clasps, hooks, headpins, ear wires, jump rings, crimp beads, etc.
Finish
A term used to describe the polish or texture applied to metal
Flaw
A general term used to refer to internal or external characteristics of a gemstone (i.e.: inclusion, fracture, etc.)
Flawless
A term used to describe a gemstone that lacks discernible internal or external blemishes when viewed by a gemologist using no less than 10 x magnification
Floral
A general term for jewelry design elements which depict flowers, leaves, vines, or plant-like shapes
Flourescence
A luminescence that appears when certain diamonds are exposed to ultraviolet light
Flush Setting
A jewelry setting in which a stone is set within a metal hole & metal is applied above the girdle
Flux
A material used in soldering
Foil
The reflective coating added to the back of a gemstone or rhinestones to increase brilliance & depth of color
Fracture
A general term for cracks, feathers, or chips in a gemstone
French Cut
A square or rectangular, multifaceted stone
Freshwater Pearls
An irregular pearl of various colors produced by freshwater mollusks such as mussels & clams
Garnet
A family of stones having many varieties in color & their constituents
Gemologist
A gemstone specialist trained in gemstone identification, grading, & appraising
Gemology
The science & study of gemstones
Gemstones
A general term which includes diamonds, sapphires, emeralds, chalcedony, agates, heliotropes, onyx, tourmaline, chrysolite, rubies, spinel, topaz, turquoise, zircon, & more.
Gerlots
Small, long pendant beads
Gilding
An object decorated with a thin layer of gold, gold leaf, or gold foil
Gilt
Gold or something resembling gold & luxury
Gold
A yellow, metallic element that occurs naturally in pure form & is used especially in jewelry
Gold-Filled
A term for a piece made up of a base metal, coated in a thick layer of gold (at least 10k & 1/20th of the total weight of the piece) bonded to its surface
Gold-Plated
A term for a piece made up of a base metal, bonded with a thin layer of gold (at least 1/20th of the total weight of the piece.
Grading
Evaluation & results assigned by independent gemologists that allow sellers to assign pricing to diamonds & gemstones, achieved from comparison with master stones
Half-Moon Cut
A gemstone cut that resembles an oval or circle which has been cut in half
Hallmark
A mark stamped on jewelry throughout much of the world to attest to the purity of the metal after assay
Halo
A setting that encircles a center gemstone with diamonds or gemstones
Hammered Finish
A jewelry finish in which the piece is hammered to create many tiny lanes, before polishing the result
Hand Engraving
A jewelry technique in which designs are artfully etched into a piece using hand-held tools (scraper, spit stick, scooper, graver), rather than a laser, casting machine, or chemicals
Hardness
The resistance of a substance to being scratched
Head
The portion of a jewelry item that holds the stone
Head Pin
One of the most frequently used jewelry finings; a piece of wire with a "head" (stopes) at one end that stops beads from sliding off
Heart Cut
A diamond cut shaped like a heart, with two rounded obtrusions at the top & a point at the bottom
Hematite
An iron ore consisting of ferric oxide in crystalline form
Hoop
A circular earring design that resembles a ring & passes through the ear lobe
Horn
A substance often used as a substitute for tortoiseshell
Igneous
A rock formed by solidification of magma or lava
Imperfection
A general term used to refer to internal or external characteristics of a gemstone (i. e. inclusion, fracture, etc.)
Inclusion
A visible internal flaw in a gemstone, including: fractures, crystalline, abnormalities, & foreign objects
Initials
The first letters of a group of names, often a person's first & last names
Inlaid
Decorated with a material set into a surface
Inlay
A decorative technique, in which part of the surface of a piece of jewelry or ceramic is cut away & a stone, mother of pearl, or some other substance is embedded into the hollowed-out area so that it is level with the surface of the piece.
Interlocking
A wedding set that has multiple piece which securely lock into place with one another
Intertwined
A pair or group of bands that overlap each other
Iridescent
A display of lustrous rainbow-like colors
Irradiation
Treatment performed on gemstones or pearls to enhance color
Ivory
A hard, smooth, yellowish-white substance made from the tusks of elephants & walruses
Jade
An opaque, semiprecious gemstone which is usually found in shades of green, but can also be found in lavender & rose shades, among others
Jasper
An opaque, impure, Polycrystalline variety of Quartz that may be red, yellow, green, blue, or brown
Jump Ring
A small, oval or round wire ring used to link charms or pendants onto a chain
Karat
A unit of fineness for gold, equal to 1 part of gold in an alloy
Knot
A jewelry design element which includes multiple carved, waxy, metal pieces which are loosely interlaced & soldered together
Lapidary
A general term which is used for the cutting, shaping, polishing, & creation of jewelry from precious to semi-precious stones
Lavaliere
A chain from which an ornament or gemstone hangs in the center
Lever Back
An earring back that uses a clasp
Liquid Silver
The term given to strands of small silver beads which were made by carefully slicing tubes of Sterling silver into pieces & stringing them together
Locket
A hinged case, usually in the shape of an oval or heart, which can be opened or closed & usually contains a photograph or memento
London Blue Topaz
A popular variation of topaz with a vivid, dark blue green color
Luster
The appearance of a material's surface, as determined by the quantity & quality of light reflected
Marquis Cut
A faceted, elongated, oval stone which tapers to a point at both ends
Marquise Cut
A diamond cut that is elongated like an oval, but has a point at either end
Matching
A term used to describe a set of jewelry pieces with bathing elements such as style & color
Matte
A finish created by using either a chemical process or an abrasive material to scratch the top layer of the piece, creating a dull & non-reflective surface
Memento Mori
A jewel that is a reminder of death
Memorial Jewel
A jewel that is made in memory of a loved one, often containing hair from that person & frequently decorated with enamel
Metamorphic
A rock that has been affected by pressure, heat, & water, resulting in a more compact & highly crystalline condition
Meteorite
Small particles of matter in the solar system, projected towards earth, that reach the surface without being completely vaporized.
Micro Mosaic
A mosaic of very small, colored glass pieces (tesserae) inlaid in glass or hard stone
Micro Pave
A set of tiny gemstones set very close together, traditionally in three or more rows
Milanese Chain
A chain consisting of interwoven rows of small links, forming a mesh
Milgrain
Tiny beads of metal used to decorate jewelry, often adding a vintage aesthetic
Minimalist
A jewelry design which is simple & sparing
Mississippi River Pearls
Irregularly shaped pearls, usually elongated
Mizpah Ring
A broad, gold ring engraved with the word MIZPAH. Mizpah is a Hebrew word that means 'watchtower' & is loosely interpreted as 'May God watch over you'
Mohs Hardness Scale
A qualitative scale characterizing scratch resistance of various minerals through the ability of harder material to scratch softer material
Money Clip
A device used to store cash & credit cards in a compact fashion
Montana Sapphire
A blue sapphire, primarily mined in the Yogo Gulch of Montana
Moonstone
A transparent, slightly iridescent, milky white variety of feldspar with white or light blue opalescent spots
Morganite
A rose colored variety of beryl
Mosaic
A design created by pressing pieces of stone glass or ceramic tiles called tesserae in mortar
Mother-of-Pearl
The opalescent material on the inside of mollusk shells like oysters & mussels
Mount
To place or fix a stone in a setting
Mounting
A piece of metal that holds a gem in place
Moval
A gemstone cut that combines the tapered edges of a marquise cut with rounded points of the oval cut
Multi-Band
A ring that is composed of more than one band
Nacre
The shiny, iridescent substance secreted by a mollusk as a response to an irritant (ex. piece of sand), which over time builds up to become a pearl
Necklace
An ornament worn around the neck
Negligee
A long necklace that usually terminates in irregular length with tassels or drops
Niello
An inlay technique in which the grooves made in silver or gold are made in black in color by the use of a composition of metal sulfides
Oiling
A temporary treatment used to enhance the color of a gemstone
Onyx
A semi-precious stone that is black or white in color
Opal
A semi-precious stone known for its iridescent, luminous qualities
Opalescent
A term used to describe a surface with a lustrous, cloudy, rainbow-like array of colors, similar to what one might see in an oil slick or mother of pearl
Opaque
A term used to describe a stone that will not allow any light to pass through it
Open Back Setting
A setting in which the back of the stone can be seen
Ore
A metal-bearing mineral from which metal can be profitably mined or extracted
Organic
A general term used for jewelry that is made from a living organism (such as a pearl), jewelry with floral or plant-like designs, or jewelry that is eco-friendly
Orient
The characteristic sheen of find natural & cultured pearls
Oriental Pearl
A pearl that has formed naturally, with no human intervention
Oval Cut
A faceted, elongated stone, round at both ends
Oxidation
A chemical process in which metals such as silver are blackened or tarnished as a reaction to sulfur & oxygen
Oxide
A compound containing on oxygen atom per molecule
Oxidize
The act of combining with oxygen molecules to make an oxide
Patina
The discoloration that forms on metals such as silver & bronze, but its often planned for in the artist's design & can be introduced artificially through the use of chemicals
Pattern
A general term for repeated, decorative jewelry designs
Pave
A large field of small stones set very close together to create wall-to-wall paved object
Pear Cut
A gemstone cut with a rounded, oval shape that comes to a point at one end
Pearl
An organic gem grown within oysters & other mollusks which is most valued & sought after when it is perfectly round & lustrous
Pendaloque
A type of pear or tear drop gemstone, faceted as a brilliant cut & suspended from a smaller stone which is usually separated by a bow or other motif
Pendant
A hanging ornament primarily worn on a necklace
Peridot
A yellow-green, transparent variety of Olivine
Petite
A small, potentially fragile piece of jewelry
Pewter
A term for items described & marked as if they contain at least 90% tin
Pique
Tortoiseshell or horn, which is inlaid with mother of pearl, silver, or gold.
Pit
An indentation on the surface of a diamond or gemstone
Planishing
A hammering process done to give a smoother finish to a piece of a metal
Platinum
The most previous of white metals
Plique-a-jour
A form of cloisonné in which the enamel in the cells has no backing, producing a translucent effect
Plot
A diagram of a gemstone's clarity characteristics
Point
One-one hundredth (0.01) of a carat
Posy Ring
A ring engraved with a verse
Pot Metal
A general term for alloys which do not have gold, silver, or platinum as a component
Precious Gemstone
A gemstone that is of a very high value or price, due to its rarity
Precious Metal
A general term for metals valued for their color, malleability, & rarity
Princess Cut
A high faceted square cut stone, similar to a brilliant cut, which has been adapted to a square shape to increase brilliance
Prong Setting
A gemstone held in place by small, finger-like wires, that are attached to the body of the ring, which bend over the edges of a stone
Quartz
The family name for naturally occurring crystals composed of Silica or Silicon Dioxide
Refinishing
The restoring of a finish to its initial state
Refraction
The act of changing the direction of a light wave so the light enters the object in one direction & leaves it in another
Regard
A piece of jewelry with multiple stone types whose first letters can all be concatenated to spell out a word
Relief
A kind of raised decoration that protrudes above the surface, similar to a cameo
Repousse
A raised, high relief design on the front of a metal object made by hammering, embossing, or punching the reverse side of the metal to form the design from the backside out
Rhinestone
A faceted stone made of glass
Rhodium
A metal that is a member of the platinum family of metals, but is liquid in its raw, natural state, not solid like platinum
Rhodolite
A pink or purple variation of garnet
Ring
A circular band of precious or semi-precious metal worn especially on the finger
Ring Sizes
A measurement used to denote the circumference (or sometimes the diameter) of rings
Riveting
A method of joining two objects together by making a hole in each piece, before passing a screw (composed of the same metal as the piece) through the holes to join the parts
Riviere
A choker-style necklace that is a continuous line of gemstones usually of graduated or equal size stones
Rolled Gold
An early 19th century type of gold plating
Rondelle
A pierced piece of metal or gemstone strung between the beads in a necklace; the shape of a gemstone
Rose Cut
A style of stone-cutting that produces a gemstone with a multifaceted base & semi-dome-shaped top that is covered with a number of triangular facets & terminates at a point
Rose Finish
A jewelry finish that makes the piece look as if it is made of rose gold, but contains no actual gold content
Rose Gold
An alloy of gold mixed with copper, which gives it a red tint
Round Cut
The most common style of cutting for both diamonds & colored stones
Rubellite
A red or pink variation of tourmaline
Ruby
A member of the corundum family whose red color comes from chromium oxide in the stone
Rutilated
A type of quartz with inclusions of rutile
Safety Catch
A method of securing a brooch to a garment with a swiveling that locks the tip of the pin stem into the C catch
Sand Casting
A casting method in which tempered sand is packed onto wood or metal pattern halves & then removed from the pattern, before metal is poured into the resultant cavities & the mold is broken to remove castings
Sandblasted
A jewelry piece that has been intentionally braised with many pieces of a small, course material to give it a rough, unpolished finish
Sapphire
A member of the corundum family which come in a variety of colors ranging from white to orange to pink to green to blue to purple
Sardonic
A variety of onyx consisting of alternating layers of charred & white calcedony
Satin finish
A series of tiny parallel lines scratched onto a surface with a wire brush or a polishing tool to produce texture
Screw
An earring back type for non-pierced ears, in which the earring is tightened against the earlobe by means of a screw with a flat round end
Sedimentary
A rock that has been formed by or from (often many) deposits of sediment
Seed Bead
Mass produced tiny glass or plastic beads made by slicing tubes into tiny evenly spaced pieces
Seed Pearl
A very small pearl popular during the Victorian period as accents set into gold jewelry or woven into long fringed necklaces
Semi Precious Gemstone
A stone that is less rare & less expensive than precious stones, but is still valued for its beauty
Setting
A mechanism by which a stone is held by precious metal into a mounting
Shank
The part of a ring that encircles the finger, minus the setting
Shared Prong
A prong setting in which each prong is responsible for holding two gemstones - one on either side
Shield
A piece of defensive armor, often elongated & adorned with designs
Shoulder
The part of a ring between the shank & the center of the setting
Slide
A jeweled fastener, which slides onto a chain or fabric ribbon
Smoky Quartz
A variety of quartz that ranges in color from cloudy brown to a dark, root beer shade with a smoky appearance
Snake Chain
A chain that is made up of round, wavy, metal rings joined side by side to form a flexible tube with a smooth, scaly texture like a snake's skin
Solder
A jewelry production technique which joined two metals, using a melted metal or alloy
Soldering
A technique used in making & repairing jewelry whereby two pieces of metal are joined by applying molten metal, which has a lower melting point than the two metals being joined
Spinel
A semi-precious gemstone consisting of an oxide of magnesium & aluminum that varies from colorless to ruby red to black
Split Prong
A prong setting, in which each prong is split, with each side being responsible for holding its own gemstone
Split Ring
A small base metal finding, resembling a key-ring
Split Shank
A ring design element which features a band that parts into two as it nears the head
Spring Ring
A very common kind of clasp used for joining two ends of a necklace
Square Band
A band whose shank is not rounded at the edges
Square Cut
A style of gemstone cut, resembling an emerald cut
Stabilized Turquoise
Turquoise that has been treated by various methods to reduce porosity, thus making it less changeable over time
Stackable Rings
A set of rings - sometimes of contrasting styles - which are intended to be worn on top of each other
Stainless Steel
A steel alloy including chromium & sometimes another element such as nickel or molybdenum
Stamping
A method which uses a punch or die to cut or emboss metal with a mark
Step Cut
A type of cut in which facets are long & rectangular. Can be found on emeraldd cut, Asscher cut, & baguette cut diamonds.
Stud
A minimalist earring style that includes a focal point attached to a post, which goes through the earlobe & connects to a removable back that keeps the earring in place
Symmetry
A term for the uniformity of a gemstone's cut, including the shape & placement of facets
Synthetic Gemstones
A gemstone that was produced in laboratory rather than found in nature
Table
The large facet that caps the crown of a faceted gemstone
Table Percentage
The diameter of a gemstone, divided by the size of the table
Tahitian Pearl
A pearl formed from a black lip oyster, primarily cultivated around the French Polynesian Islands
Tanzanite
A semi-precious gemstone popular for its brilliance & known for its varying shades of violet ranging from deep, rich purple to lilac
Tapered
A piece that becomes gradually smaller toward one end
Tapered Baguette
A small gemstone, cut in a trapezoid shape with one end narrower than the opposite end
Tarnish
A dulled luster or finish caused by a thing deposit of dirt which discolors the surface of metal & is easily removed
Tennis Bracelet
A bracelet made of individually set gemstones of uniform size & color, linked together like chain, making the bracelet somewhat flexible
Terminal
The decorated ends of a necklace or bangle usually containing stylized heads of a ram, lion, dragon, etc.
Textured
A surface that is not smooth
Titanium
A silvery gray, lightweight, strong, metallic element with atomic number 22 which is obtained from limonite & Rutile
Toggle Clasp
A means of fastening two ends of a chain together, consisting of a ring on one end & a short bar on the other
Topaz
A borosilicate of aluminum that occurs in rhomboidal crystals & is used as a gemstone
Tortoise Shell
A mottled, nutty brown shell material with a spotted, striped, or sometimes even speckled pattern
Tourmaline
A semi-precious gemstone that can take on multiple colors & consists of a complex borosilicate
Transluscent
Partially transparent
Tsavorite
A rich, deep green variation of garnet
Turquoise
A semi-precious stone, known fr its true robin's egg blue
Twisted
A band or group of bands that are curved &.or have been interwoven together
Two-Tone
A jewelry piece that includes two separate metals, which remain separate & are soldered together to form one piece
Ultrasonic
A cleaning device for jewelry that removes dirt through the use of ultrasonic waves
Unique
A jewelry item that is disinguishable from all others of its class or type
Unisex
A general term for jewelry that can be worn by all sexes
Vermeil
Silver with gold plating
Vintage
An old, recognized, & enduring piece of jewelry which remains valuable due to its interest, importance, & quality
Wedding Set
A collection containing both the engagement ring & the wedding band
White Gold
An alloy made of gold mixed with nickel, as well as palladium or zinc occasionally
Woven
A jewelry design element in which multiple strands of an often precious metal are interlaced together
Yellow Gold
A gold that is yellow, as it is in its purest form, often alloyed with copper & silver
Zinc
An abundant, lustrous, bluish-white metallic element of the Magnesium-Cadmium group
Zircon
A common mineral occurring in small crystals which is heated, cut, & polished to form a brilliant blue-white gemstone
Zoisite
A semi-precious gemstone white takes on a variety of colors including blue, yellow, green, brown, pink, yellow, gray, & white.