WEC: Thoughts about Jewelry — Glossary

                          JEWELRY GLOSSARY - - GALALITH:  Trademark name for a synthetic material designed to be a substitute for horn; sometimes called Milk Plastic       GARNET: A group of mineral gemstones in a variety of colors; most commonly seen in red or green     GEMSTONE:  General term which includes mineral crystals such as emerald, opal, and sapphire; and, organic stones such as opal, pearl, and amber; formed naturally and manufactured using a combination of chemicals, heat, and / or pressure GERMAN SILVER:  A substitute for silver; also called NICKEL SILVER; there is no silver in German silver     GILT:  Process of applying color,...

                          JEWELRY GLOSSARY -  - FAUX: French word translates to fake or imitation FAUX PEARLS:  Imitation pearls     FEDE:  Design motif of clasped hands FESTOON:  Draping design     FIBULA:  Clasp which closes like a safety pin FIGA:  Design with thumb between second and middle finger of a clenched fist     FILIGREE:  Metal twisted into ornate, often lacy patterns; see CANNETILLE     FINDINGS:  The hardware used to assemble jewelry such as bails, jump rings, and clasps FINIFT:  Russian enamel work usually with solid background and colorful images FLEUR-DE-LIS:  Stylized lily flower with three petals joined near the base     FLUX:  Material used when soldering...

                          JEWELRY GLOSSARY -  - EBONITE:  A hard, black rubber material; synonym of VULCANITE EDWARDIAN:  Roughly the first decade of the 20th century; jewelry is elegant and elaborate. Named after Edward VII, the Edwardian period followed the Victorian era. ELECTROPLATING:  Casting metal over an object of another material EMAIL:  French term translates to enamel EMBOSSED:  Surface decoration where the design is slightly raised     ENAMEL:  Generic term for a glassy substance of powdered, poured glass, fused on metal. Types of enamel include CLOISONNE, CHAMPLEVE, GUILLOCHE, and PLIQUE A JOUR         ENGRAVED:  Method of decoration in which a design is produced in metal...

                          JEWELRY GLOSSARY -  - DAMASCENE:  The art of inlaying metals together creating intricate patterns and designs     DELFT:  Classic blue and white earthenware usually framed in silver when made into jewelry     DEMI-HOOP:  A half or partial circle making the hoop incomplete; sometimes called a HALF-HOOP     DENIM LAPIS:  A low grade of Lapis Lazuli     DEPOSE:  French term translating to Patent or Registration DICHROIC GLASS:  An optical effect when colored glass changes in different lights and angles     DOOR-KNOCKER: Earrings with hinged bottoms that hang below the ear lobe     DRESS CLIP:  A brooch that uses a hinged clip which fastens to...

                          JEWELRY GLOSSARY - - CABACHON:  A rounded or domed stone without facets     CAMEO:  Relief carving in coral, shell, lava, onyx, ivory, or synthetic materials     CANNETILLE: A type of metal work similar to filigree. It typically features fine gold wires or thinly hammered sheets. Motifs include scrolls, coils, tendrils, beehives and rosettes. Cannetillle is often dimensional; filigree is usually flat. See FILIGREE     CARAT:  Standard weight measurement of gemstones; one carat equals 0.2 grams. One hundredth of a gram is called a point. CARNELIAN:  A variety of chalcedony in tones of burnt orange to deep red. Dyed agate is often...

                          JEWELRY GLOSSARY - - BAGUETTE: A rectangular, elongated, faceted gemstone or rhinestone     BAKELITE: A plastic made from formaldehyde and phenol     BALE or BAIL: The finding used to attach a pendant to a necklace or a charm to a bracelet     BAND: A ring, usually with uniform thickness; with or without gemstones     BANGLE: Rigid bracelet; round or oval     BAR PIN: Elongated, narrow pin worn horizontally usually at the neck         BAROQUE PEARLS: Irregularly shaped pearls     BAS RELIEF: Design with slight projection from the surface     BASE...

                          JEWELRY GLOSSARY - - ABALONE: The inner shell of a mollusk. Abalone is often iridescent in color. It is seen is shades of blues, greens, and even white and off-white. White tones are usually called mother-of-pearl or nacre.         ABBREVIATIONS:  Commonly seen jewelry related abbreviatonsAB - Aurora BorealisGF - Gold FilledMOP - Mother of PearlSS - Sterling Silver ACROSTIC JEWELRY: A jewelry theme wherein an acronym or abbreviation is formed from the initial letters of a string of words. AIE - Amity Eternity InfinityDEAREST - Diamond Emerald Amethyst Ruby Emerald Sapphire TopazREGARD - Ruby Emerald Garnet Amethyst Ruby Diamond  ...