Dictionary of Commonly Terms
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10
karat: 10 karat (10K) gold is 10 parts gold to 14 parts other metals.
(Approx 41.7% Gold)
12
karat: 12 karat (12K) gold is 12 parts gold to 12 parts other metals.
(Approx 50% Gold)
14
karat: 14 karat (14k) gold is 14 parts of gold to 10 parts other metal.
(Approx 58.5% Gold)
18
karat: 18 karat (18k) gold is 18 parts of gold to 6 parts other metals.
(Approx 75% Gold)
24
karat: 24 karat (24k) gold is pure gold containing no other metals.
(100% Pure Gold)
B
Baguette
- Small stones which are rectangular-shaped & faceted.
Bail
- A metal finding that is folded closed, from which a pendant, watch,
stone, etc., may be hung from a chain or cord.
Base
metal - Any non-precious metal.
C
Cabochon
- A domed gemstone. Highly polished curved surface without faceting.
Cameo
- A carved gem or shell in which the outer layers are cut away so
that the design stands out in relief against a background of a different
color.
Carat
- Unit of weight for gemstones with 100 points to a carat, with one
carat equaling one-fifth of a gram.
D
Diamond
- A precious gemstone composed of pure carbon. It is the hardest of
all known substances & rated 10 on the Mohs scale.
E
Enamel
- Colored, opaque glassy material fused onto metal, pottery or glass.
European
Wire - A curved wire that passes through the earlobe of a pierced
ear & clasps shut.
F
Faceted
- A gem of plane faces or facets.
Fish
Hook - A fishhook-shaped finding used to make earrings with the hook
end passing through the pierced ear.
French
Wire - A curved wire that passes through the pierced earlobe & has
a catch closure. Used mostly in dangling earrings.
G
Gold
- (Element AU) A heavy, yellow, metallic element used for coins &
jewelry since prehistoric times.Pure Gold is the most malleable metal.
Gold
Filled - The jewelry is not actually filled, but is made of base metal
(usually brass or copper) covered by sheets of gold in a mechanical
bonding process.
Gold
Plated - A thin coating of electroplated or mechanically plated gold
on top of a base metal.
K
Karat
- A measure, from 1 to 24, used to indicate how much of a piece of
jewelry is gold content & how much an alloy. (see above: 10K-24K)
L
Lariat
- An open-ended, long strand necklace. Sometimes looped into a knot
or used with a slide so that the two ends hang free.
Lever
Back - An earring with a unique back that delicately bends & latches
behind the ear. This is an old-fashioned design that has come back
in style
Lobster
Claw Clasp - A clasp used for necklaces & bracelets that features
an elongated hook (like a lobster claw). It contains a spring mechanism
& can be opened to catch the ring from the other end of the chain.
O
Omega
- Flat chain with a solid surface formed by the links & worn high
on the neck.
Oxidation
- Metal blackened by a reaction with oxygen. The appearance is accomplished
by chemical means.
P
Pave
setting - A setting in which small stones are set as close as possible,
so that the piece literally looks "paved" with stones.
Pearl
- A smooth, round growth formed naturally within the shell of a mollusk
due to an irritant & used as a gem.
Pendant
- An ornament suspended from a single chain.
Platinum
- A metal (Element PT), Platinum forms in igneous rocks, it may also
occur in placer deposits in river sands & gravels. It is silvery gray,
gray white, or white in color, opaque & has a metallic luster.
Plum
- When stamped ##KP. Plum means that the Gold is exactly 10K, 14K
or 18K (41.7%, 58.5% & 75% respectively).
Post
- A pin-like finding attached to an earring. It passes through the
pierced earlobe, & may be held in place by a back.
R
Rhinestone
- Real rhinestones are cut from rock crystal. Today, most rhinestones
that are used in jewelry are made of glass that has the look of natural
stone. Rhinestones have metal foil backs.
Rhodium
- A white, metallic element. Often used to "plate" Platinum and White
Gold.
S
Satin
finish - A matte finish achieved by sandblasting, brushing with a
stiff wire brush, or chemically altering a high shine surface. Satin
finish has a soft, pearl-like luster instead of a bright polish.
Slide
- An ornament that can be slid onto another piece of jewelry such
as a necklace.
Sterling
silver - Silver (Element AG). Silver that is at least 92.5 percent
pure with 7.5 parts of another metal, usually copper, to make the
piece harder. Stamps include .925 & Sterling (ster).
Stud
- A single stone or metal ball on a straight post worn on pierced
ears.
T
Toggle
clasp - A fastener consisting of a ring on one end of a necklace or
bracelet & a short bar on the other end. The bar is slid through the
ring & sits across it so it does not slide or pull.
V
Vermeil
- A heavy gold electroplate over sterling silver.
W
White
Gold - An alloy of gold, nickel, copper, & zinc.
Y
Yellow
Gold - The most popular gold alloy. An alloy of gold, silver, copper,
& often zinc.
