WEC: Thoughts about Jewelry

                          JEWELRY GLOSSARY -  - PARURE:  A full set of matching pieces such as necklace, brooch, earrings, and ring. Demi-parure is a combination of fewer pieces        PASTE:  Glass which is cut and faceted to resemble gemstones, usually diamonds PATINA:  Color change on the surface of metal due to age and exposure to air PAVE' SETTING:  Stones set closely together so little or no backing shows PEARL:  Spheroid shaped stone formed around a grain of sand in a mollusk. There are numerous tests to determine if you pearl is real or fake; the easiest is to feel it -- really pearls are cool to the...

                          JEWELRY GLOSSARY -  - OBSIDIAN:  Naturally formed glass-like material found in igneous rock and lava Oval stones are obsidian; square stones are onyx OBVERSE:  The side of the object bearing the principle design; the front    Obverse and Reverse ONYX:  Variety of chalcedony; usually black Oval stones are obsidian; square stones are onyx OPAL:  Semi-transparent gemstone showing a variety of colors     OPAQUE:  Opposite of transparent; hazy, blurred OPERCULUM:  Secreted material forming over the gills of some mollusks; often mistaken for seashell     ORGANIC GEMSTONE:  Produced by living organisms; examples include pearl, amber, coral, and ivory     The...

                          JEWELRY GLOSSARY -  - NACRE: Inner shell of a mollusk, see ABALONE, MOTHER-OF-PEARL     NICKEL SILVER: A substitute for silver; also called GERMAN SILVER; there is no actual silver in nickel silver NIELLO:  A technique in which an engraved design is filled with an alloy powder then heated and fused     NOBEL METAL:  Metals including gold, platinum, silver and rhodium; unlike base metals, they are resistant to corrosion or oxidation The Jewelry Glossary is a work in progress: As I add more posts, you can access them here:                          I hope you enjoyed the photos. To see what's available for sale at...

                          JEWELRY GLOSSARY -  - MABE PEARL:  Cultured or man-made pearl in a hemispheric shape     MALACHITE: Bright green mineral / stone which takes a high polish     MALTESE CROSS:  A cross with arms of equal length which broaden toward the outside      MARCASITE:  Metallic, sparkling PYRITE stone; also called CUT STEEL     MATCH SAFE:  Small box; often ornate; used to hold match sticks MATTE FINISH:  Dull, non-reflective surafce     MEMORY WIRE:  Wire that reverts to original shape after stretching     METALES CASADOS:  Married or mixed metals; frequently seen in Mexican jewelry     MEXICAN JADE:  Usually calcite...

                          JEWELRY GLOSSARY -  - LAMPWORK:  Hand-blown glass beads and jewelry     LAPIDARY:  Craftsperson who cuts, shapes, and polishes stones LAPIS LAZULI:  Blue stone made of a composition of minerals     LARIAT: Necklace with two open ends that hang down in the front and can be looped into a knot or secured by a slide     LAVA:  Volcanic rock LAVALIER:  Pendant with dangling segment or stone     LEVER BACK:  Hinged, locking earring back LOBSTER CLAW:  Hinged, hooking clasp LOCKET:  Pendant or charm which opens revealing a cavity for hair or photos         LORGNETTE:  Folding opera glasses with...

                          JEWELRY GLOSSARY -  - KARAT:  The measure of purity in GOLD; 24 karat is pure gold. Gold's purity levels are indicated as follows:24k - pure gold (also called 1000)18k - 75% gold (also called 750)15k - 62.5% gold (also called 625)14k - 58.3%% gold (also called 583)12k - 50% gold (also called 500)10k - 41.7% gold (also called 417)9k - 37.5% gold (also called 375)        The Jewelry Glossary is a work in progress: As I add more posts, you can access them here:                          I hope you enjoyed the photos. To see what's available for sale at my site, visit World of Eccentricity &...

                          JEWELRY GLOSSARY -  - JABOT:  Long narrow pin with decorations at both ends         JADE:  A generic term for the green stones NEPHRITE and JADEITE     JADEITE:  One of minerals commonly called JADE JAPANNING:  Process which blackens metal          JASPERWARE:  High fired porcelain created by the Wedgwood Company     JELLY BELLY:   Jewelry with clear LUCITE stone at the center; click here to read my Jelly Belly Blog     JET:  Fossilized coal used primarily during the Victorian era      JEWELRY CASKET:  Ornate jewelry box often with locking mechanism; usually made of metal, often silver or...

                          JEWELRY GLOSSARY -  - ID BRACELET:  Chain bracelet with panel large enough for engraved name IMITATION GEMSTONE: Substitute for gems; usually made of glass     INLAY:  Stones or glass embedded in such a way that the surface is level     INTAGLIO:  Method of decoration in which the design is cut into the reverse of the surface     IRIDESCENCE:  Reflection of light bouncing off internal features of a gemstone     INVISIBLE SETTING:  Technique developed in France in which stones are set closely together in grooves giving the appearance of no setting at all    Photos courtesy of The...

                          JEWELRY GLOSSARY -  - HAIRWORK:  Jewelry made with human hair     HALF-HOOP:  A half or partial circle making the hoop incomplete; sometimes called a DEMI-HOOP     HALLMARK:  A stamp or attached marker on jewelry providing information such as maker, designer, metal content, country of origin, and / or date of creation               HAMMERED:  Formed or shaped with a jeweler's hammer often resulting in an uneven finish     HAMSA:  Hand motif, usually flat; often includes an eye design; also called HAND OF FATIMA     HAND OF FATIMA:  See HAMSA HEISHI:  Translates to shell; pronounced HEE-SHEE;...

                          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,...