14 karat (also commonly marked 585 - 58.5% gold)
14 karat (14k) gold is 14 parts of gold to 10 parts other metal such as copper, nickel, etc. A karat is a measure, from 1 to 24, used to indicate how much of a piece of jewelry is gold content and how much an alloy.

18 karat (also commonly marked 750 - 75% gold)
18 karat (18k) gold is 18 parts of gold to 6 parts other metals such as copper, nickel, etc. A karat is a measure, from 1 to 24, used to indicate how much of a piece of jewelry is gold content and how much an alloy.

22 karat (also commonly marked 925- 92.5% gold)
22 karat (22k) gold is 22 parts of gold to 2 parts of other metals such as copper, nickel, etc. A karat is a measure, from 1 to 24, used to indicate how much of a piece of jewelry is gold content and how much an alloy.

24 karat
24 karat (24k) gold is pure gold containing no other metals. A karat is a measure, from 1 to 24, used to indicate how much of a piece of jewelry is gold content and how much an alloy.

Agate
A type of chalcedony quartz found in a variety of colors and patterns, frequently with varying color layers.

Alloy
A mixture of two or more metals.

Amethyst
Transparent variety of crystallized quartz, typically purple or violet in
color. The violet color is the birthstone for February.

Applique
An ornamental piece which is created separately and then applied to a piece of jewelry.

Aquamarine
A blue semiprecious stone in the beryl family. This is also the birthstone for March.

Baguette
Small stones which are rectangularly-shaped and faceted.

Bail (bale)
A metal finding that is folded closed, from which a pendant, watch, stone, etc., May be hung from a chain or cord.

Band
A ring which is the same in width all around.

Bangle
A stiff bracelet that slips over the hand or is clasped on.

Bead
A stone cut in the shape of a small sphere.

Beryl
A lightly colored mineral which when transparent and dark green is called emerald, and when blue in color, aquamarine.

Beveled
An angled part or surface, usually an angle other than a right angle.

Bezel
A form of any shape which incorporates a continuous groove to fit something, generally a stone. The metal at the top of the groove is then burnished over the edge of the mounted item to hold it, forming a setting.

Box and tongue clasp
A clasp in which a v-shaped wire fits into a small tube and locks into place. On broader necklaces, the snap is square.

Box chain
A type of chain with links that are wide and square so they form boxes.

Brilliant cut
A round cut of 58 facets mathematically devised to produce the greatest brilliance.

Brooch
An ornamental piece of jewelry with a pin and clasp to be attached to clothing, etc.

Butterfly clutch
An earring back which slides onto and secures post back earrings.

Button earrings
A flat, usually round earring which sits on the earlobe and has no dangling parts.

byzantine chain
A type of chain with close-fitting links that create an intricate design and form a tubular chain.

Cable chain
The links are round and uniform in size.

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.

Chain
A series of connected loops, links, rings, or beads used to create bracelets or necklaces.

Chalcedony
Refers to various types of colored quartz, usually those with a milky appearance like carnelian, agate, catseye, and jasper.

Channel setting
Grooved metal built into a jewelry setting for holding stones. Also a number of uniformly sized small stones set in a row.

Charm
A decorative pendant or trinket to be worn on a bracelet, necklace or earring.

Chevron style
A motif consisting of short lines joining at angles to form an inverted V

Citrine
A brownish-orange quartz variety. The birthstone for November.

Clasp
Any type of attachment that connects the two ends of a piece of jewelry.

Clip-back
Earrings designed for non-pierced ears. Works like a hinge to secure the earring
to the earlobe.

Cluster ring
A ring with a setting in which stones are grouped together.

Cocktail ring
Large, oversized ring set with precious or semiprecious stones.

Comfort back
A rubber or plastic pad that goes over the clip of a clip earring to cushion the earlobe.

Coral
The skeletal remains of marine animals, and has a range in color from red, pink, and salmon.

Corundum
A gem mineral of crystallized aluminum and oxygen. Ruby and sapphire are the most valuable corundum.

Cultured pearl
Created through a painstaking process of mimicking the natural pearl process in live mollusks. A pearl is formed as a result of implanting a piece of mantle from a mollusk into another host mollusk.

Curb link
A type of chain with links that are oval and twisted so they lie flat.

Dangle (drop) earrings
Any earring which hangs below the earlobe. Also called a drop earring.

Diamond
A precious gemstone composed of pure carbon. Hardest of all known substances. Rated 10 on the mohs scale.

Diamond cut
A process where angled cuts are made into the gold.

Diamond-cut rope
A portion of the chain is cut away at an angle and then polished to a high shine.

Door knocker earring
An earring with a hinged bottom that hangs below the earlobe.

Earring back
A disk or bead that fits over an earring post and holds the earring securely in place.

Earring jackets
An earring accessory designed to be worn with a stud as a decorative backdrop.

Electroplating
The process of covering a base metal with a thin film of gold. The base metal is set in a chemical solution which an electric current flows through to coat it with precious metal.

Embossed
A mechanical process, done under considerable heat and pressure, which permanently imprints a variety of unique grain effects into the leather surface.

Emerald
A green beryl and one of the most valuable of all gemstones. This is also the birthstone for May.

Emerald cut
A cut which is usually rectangular, but sometimes square, with rows of step cuts along the edges and at the corners, usually in diamonds.

Enamel
Colored, opaque glassy material fused onto metal, pottery or glass.

European wire
A curved wire which passes through the earlobe of a pierced ear and clasps shut.

Extender chain
A chain which may be attached to another in order to provide a longer length.

Facet
A polished surface; a small plane which is cut into a surface and enhances its reflection of light.

Faceted
A gem of plane faces or facets.

Figaro
Similar in style to a curb chain, but instead of uniform links, the links alternate between long ones and round ones.

Figaro chain
Similar in style to a curb chain, but instead of uniform links, the links alternate between long ones and round ones.

Figure-eight safety catch
A type of safety catch in which a hinged wire in the shape of a figure eight snaps over the pin.

Filigree
Lace-like ornamental work made from intricately arranged, intertwined wires.

Finish
The way the surface of a piece is polished or textured.

Fish hook
A fishhook-shaped finding used to make earrings with the hook end passing through the pierced ear.

Florentine finish
A surface in which parallel lines are engraved in one direction, then crossed with lighter perpendicular lines.

Florentine texture
A surface in which parallel lines are engraved in one direction, then crossed with lighter perpendicular lines.

Fluted
A surface ornamented by channels or grooves.

Foldover clasp
A type of clasp in which a hinged part opens, fits through a ring and snaps closed to hold the ring in place.

French wire
A curved wire which passes through the pierced earlobe and has a catch closure. Used mostly in dangling earrings.

Freshwater pearl
An irregularly shaped pearl formed by a mussel living in a lake or river.

Gallery
A strip of metal used to make settings for jewelry.

Garnet
A family of crystals whose name is derived from their resemblance to red pomegranate seeds. A semi-precious stone, usually a reddish-brown color; can range from true red to violet- or blackish red. The red color garnets are also the birthstone for January.

Gem
A stone which has been cut and polished for use in jewelry and fulfills the requirements of beauty, durability, and rarity. A fine stone of unusual quality.

Genuine pearl
A smooth, round growth formed within the shell of a mollusk due to an irritant; used as a gem.

Gold
A heavy, yellow, metallic element used for coins and jewelry since prehistoric times.

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 finish
Jewelry done in a finish so that it has the look of gold.

Gold plated
A thin coating of electroplated or mechanically plated gold on top of a basemetal.

Green gold
An alloy of gold, silver, zinc, and often cadmium.

Half-hoop design
Earring which appears to be hoop shaped but is not fully circular.

Hammered
Tapped with a small hammer to create a wavy texture.

Herringbone chain
A type of chain created by small, slanting links which gives it a flateffect.

Hidden box clasp
Two short barrels which are screwed together to form a clasp.

High polish
A surface which is polished to a mirror-like finish.

Hoop earring
A circular-shaped earring made from metal wire or tubing . Variations include the traditional shape as well as hoops with charms and other ornaments to be hung from the hoop.

Karat
A measure, from 1 to 24, used to indicate how much of a piece of jewelry is gold content and how much an alloy.

ID bracelet
Identification bracelet; a curved plate is engraved with the name or initials of the wearer.

Ingot
Metal cast into a bar or other shape.

Iolite
A mineral used as a gemstone and appears as deep blue, light blue-gray, and yellow-white.

Iridescent
An interaction of various rainbow-like colors.

Lever back
An earring with a unique back that delicately bends and latches behind the ear. This is an old-fashioned design that has come back in style

Links
Series of loops which make up a chain.

Lobster claw clasp
A clasp used for necklaces and bracelets which features an elongated hook (like a lobster claw). It contains a spring mechanism and can be opened to catch the ring from the other end of the chain.

Marquise
An oval shape gemstone cut with pointed ends. A term usually used to describe one of many diamond shapes.

Matte
A non-shiny, frosted surface.

Mesh
A chain which is fabric-like and woven of fine wire.

Mesh-style
An item which is fabric-like and woven of fine wire.

Millgrain edge (coin-style edge)
A look which is knurled, or has the look of small beads or ridges, such as the edge of a coin.

Moonstone
A translucent stone which is often bluish in color, yet sometimes white

Nugget
A lump or irregularly shaped mass.

Omega
Flat chain with a solid surface formed by the links and worn high on the neck.

Onyx
A semi-precious stone composed of chalcedony (a variety of quartz) found naturally in white or gray. The white variety is generally dyed black for onyx.

Opal
A non-crystalline, iridescent silica. The birthstone for October.

Open work
A ring setting which is open and may also allow for viewing of the bottom of a stone, if included in the setting.

Panther link
A flat chain in which solid links are arranged like bricks.

Pave setting
A setting in which small stones are set as close as possible, so that the piece literally looks paved with stones.

Pendant
An ornament suspended from a single chain.

Peridot
A transparent gem which is olive green in color. This is also the birthstone for August.

Pierced earrings
Earrings designed for wear in ears that are pierced. A wire or post is inserted through the ear lobe.

Point
Unit of weight for gemstones equal to one-hundredth of a carat. (100 points = 1Carat)

Polish
Process used to make metal smooth and glossy. Increases shine and eliminates flaws.

Post
A pin-like finding attached to an earring. It passes through the pierced earlobe, and may be held in place by a back.

Precious stones
Rare and costly gems such as diamonds, emeralds, rubies, and sapphires.

Princess cut
A modification of a brilliant square-cut gemstone. Usually square shaped occurrence in diamonds

Prong
One of several claw-like wires used to hold a gem or stone in place.

Quartz
A crystalline mineral used for gems, usually colorless and transparent.

Quartz movement
An electronic movement in a watch powered by a battery that causes vibrations in a tiny piece of quartz. This is the type of mechanism that is found in most watches.

Radiant cut
A type of cut usually found in diamonds.

Rhodium
A white, metallic element. Usually refers to the finish given to gold jewelry that gives the effect of white gold.

Rhodolite
A variety of garnet ranging in color from rose-red to pale violet

Ribbed
A textured effect consisting of ridges.

Ring
A piece of jewelry which is worn on the fingers and slides on and off.

Ring guard
A ring worn above another ring to keep it from slipping off the finger.

Rope chain
Chain with a spiral appearance, with the effect of two thick strands woven together.

Rose gold
An alloy of gold and copper.

Ruby
A highly valued and precious stone. Most commonly seen in red. The red color stone is the birthstone for July.

Sapphire
A highly valued and precious stone and a member of the corundum group. Most commonly seen in blue. The blue color stone is the birthstone for September.

Satin finish
A matte finish made 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.

Scalloped
An edge design that consists of a series of curves.

Screw back
A vise-like clamp that holds anon-pierced earring on the ear by a screw that can be tightened against the earlobe.

Semi-precious stones
Natural stones including amethyst, aventurine, carnelian, garnet, opal, rose quartz,etc. Some semi-precious stones are quite costly (up to thousands ofdollars).

Shank
Part of the ring that circles the finger and to which the setting is attached.

Shoulder
The part of the ring that extends from the shank to the center of the setting.

Signet
A ring with a flat table or face on which there is an inscription of a coat of arms, family crest, or some other type of insignia or monogram.

silver finish
Jewelry done in a finish so that it has the look of silver.

Slide
An ornament that can be slid onto another piece of jewelry such as a necklace.

Smoky quartz
Quartz thats brownish in color with smoky appearance.

Snap bar closure
A straight, hinged bar which lifts up and down in order to secure or release an earring.

Solitaire
A single stone which is in a simple setting.

Spring ring clasp
A rounded, hollow, circular wire which fits into a hollow, circular tube and is kept shut by a coiled spring on the inside

Stack ring
Rings which are designed to wear two or more on the same finger.

stainless steel
Steel containing chromium and virtually resistant to rust and corrosion.

Stamping
Cutting or embossing a sheet of metal with a punch or a die.

Step cut
A gem cut with a varying number of sloping parallel rows of four-sided facets which give the impression of steps.

Sterling silver
Silver that is at least 92.5 percent pure with 7.5 parts of another metal, usually copper, to make the piece harder.

Stickpin
A straight pin worn vertically on a scarf, tie, or a lapel. Usually contains some kind of ornamentation on the top.

Straight bar closure
A hinged bar which fits into a catch in order to secure a pin.

Stud
A single stone or metal ball on a straight post worn on pierced ears.

Table
The large, flat, horizontal top facet of a ring.

Tassel
An ornamental bundle of threads bound at one end and loosely hung.

Tennis bracelet
A flexible bracelet made up of evenly matched stones, commonly diamonds. There are variations on the style, such asalternating stones.

Tennis-style
Continuous, evenly matched stones, as seen with tennis bracelets. There are variations on the style, such as alternating stones.

Tigers eye
The name given to a gem which when cabochon cut shows a single light streak across its face. A semi-precious variety of quartz found in South Africa, it may be yellowish-brown bluish, or red in color.

Topaz
A transparent gem, the most precious type is wine-yellow in color. It also may be found in other colors, such as white, blue, brown, orange, and pink. Blue topaz is the birthstone for December .

Tourmaline
A crystalline mineral which is used as a gemstone. It typically comes in a variety of colors, the most common of which is black.

White gold
An alloy of gold, nickel, copper, and zinc.

Y necklace
This style gets its name from its shape which features its own delicate dangle forming a Y-shape around the neck. Usually 16 to 18 inches in length.

Yellow gold
The most popular gold alloy. An alloy of gold, silver, copper, and often zinc