Glossary

Alloy A mixture of two or more metals.
Antique Jewelry that is at least 100 years old.
Articulated When something has segments connected by flexible joints.
Bail/Bale The loop on a pendant through which the cord or a chain passes.
Bangle A rigid, circular or oval bracelet, often hinged.
Baton A stone cut into a long, narrow, stick-shaped rectangle. This cut is similar to a baguette.
Bombe When something has bulging sides.
Bypass A style with open ends which cross each other parallel in the front, typically in a ring or
bracelet.
Cabochon: A gemstone with a polished dome top and a flat or slightly domed bottom, as Cameo
Carat Carat with a C is the measurement by which the weight ofgemstones is described. One
carat weighs 100 points. Thus a half carat diamond is equal to 50 points. Expressed another way,
a 25 point stone is 1/4 of a carat.
Choker A short necklace of 15 inches that fits snugly around the neck.
Cipher A monogram of letters, as on a signet ring.
Cuff Bracelet A rigid, open bracelet, usually wide with rounded ends.
Cultured Pearl A man-made pearl. The pearls are produced by inserting an irritant into a
mollusk.
Curb Link Chain: A chain in which the flattened oval links are twisted so that they lie flat.
Cushion Cut: A square or rectangular cut stone with rounded corners. Also called Antique Cut.
Emerald Cut A square or rectangular cut stone with a square table and step cut sides.
Engraving Using incised lines to create a design in a metal surface.
Estate Jewelry Jewelry which has been previously owned. It may or may not be vintage or
antique.
Etching The use of acids to create a design in glass or metal.
Florentine Finish Engraved cross-hatch lines on a metal which creates a textured surface.
Fob A decorative ornament, signet or seal hung from a chain, usually worn with a watch.
Foliate A leaf or plant design.
Forging The heating and hammering which shapes metal.
Girdle The widest part of a stone, the part usually grasped by the setting.
Graduated Arranged in ascending or descending order of size.
Hammered Finish A faceted finish achieved by hammering the metal.
Jabot Pin A type of stick pin with ornamental elements at both ends of a long pinstem.
Japonaiserie Decorative elements in a Japanese style.
Locket A pendant or brooch with a hinge and cover which can contain a photograph or a lock of
hair.
Mabe Pearl A pearl with a flat mother-of-pearl bottom and a rounded top.
Marquise Cut An oval or elliptical gemstone cut which has pointed ends. Also called a Navette
shape.
Matte Refers to a dull, non-reflective rather than polished metal finish.
Melee A small diamond, usually under 0.20 carats.
Mother-of-Pearl The iridescent inside lining of mollusks.
Pendant (Noun) An ornament suspended from a necklace, chain or cord.
Prong Set Stones are held in place by metal claws or prongs.
Provenance The origin and history of a piece, including its former owners.
Quatrefoil A decorative motif having four lobes.
Relief: A design which is raised or standing out from the background.
Rondel/Rondelle A thin metal ornament strung on a necklace between beads.
Rose Gold Gold of a pinkish color that has been alloyed with copper.
Seed Pearl A natural, cultured or artificial pearl weighing less than one quarter of a grain.
Shank The circle of metal that attaches to the decorative part of a ring and encircles the finger.
Signed Marked, engraved, stamped or impressed with the name, initials, logo, or trademark of
the maker, designer or manufacturer.
Signet Ring A ring with a central plaque on which ones initials, a seal, or a crest is engraved.
Solder Metal alloy used to fuse pieces of metal together with the use of heat.
Solitaire The mounting of a single stone, usually in a ring.
Spacer An element used to separate pearls or beads.
Suite Several pieces of jewelry similarly designed to be worn together as in a Parure.
Torsade A multi-strand twisted short necklace, usually beads or pearls.
Trefoil A decorative element having three lobes.
Vermeil Silver which has been gilded with gold plate.
Victorian Refers to the period of the reign of Queen Victoria of England (1837-1901).
Volute An element which is the shape of a spiral, or snail shell-shaped.
Wirework Twisted wire decorations.
Yellow Gold An alloy of gold with silver and copper which is the most common color of gold.
Ziggurat A stepped triangle or pyramid shape motif. From the Babylonian ziggurat pyramid
tombs and temples. A motif seen in Art Deco jewelry design.

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Alloy A mixture of two or more metals.

Antique Jewelry that is at least 100 years old.

Articulated When something has segments connected by flexible joints.

Bangle A rigid, circular or oval bracelet, often hinged.

Bombe When something has bulging sides.

Cipher A monogram of letters, as on a signet ring.

Engraving Using incised lines to create a design in a metal surface.

Etching The use of acids to create a design in glass or metal.

Forging The heating and hammering which shapes metal.

Graduated Arranged in ascending or descending order of size.

Hammered Finish A faceted finish achieved by hammering the metal.

Japonaiserie Decorative elements in a Japanese style.

Matte Refers to a dull, non-reflective rather than polished metal finish.

Melee A small diamond, usually under 0.20 carats.

Mother-of-Pearl The iridescent inside lining of mollusks.

Pendant (Noun) An ornament suspended from a necklace, chain or cord.

Prong Set Stones are held in place by metal claws or prongs.

Quatrefoil A decorative motif having four lobes.

Relief: A design which is raised or standing out from the background.

Rondel/Rondelle A thin metal ornament strung on a necklace between beads.

Solitaire The mounting of a single stone, usually in a ring.

Spacer An element used to separate pearls or beads.

Suite Several pieces of jewelry similarly designed to be worn together as in a Parure.

Torsade A multi-strand twisted short necklace, usually beads or pearls.

Trefoil A decorative element having three lobes.

Vermeil Silver which has been gilded with gold plate.

Volute An element which is the shape of a spiral, or snail shell-shaped.

Wirework Twisted wire decorations.

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