GLOSSARY
Glossary of Jewelry Terms
Alloy
A metal made up of a mixture of two or more different metals. Common examples include:
- Bronze: Copper and tin
- Brass: Copper and zinc
- Pewter: Tin with antimony, copper, and sometimes lead
Base Metal
Non-precious metals used as a core for plating and gold-filled items. Common base metals in jewelry include brass and nickel.
Cabochon
A gemstone cut and polished with one flat side (the back) and one smooth domed side (the front or face). A faceted cabochon features faceted surfaces around the edge.
Chatoyancy (Chatoyant)
A visual effect where a gemstone displays a changeable luster, similar to a cat’s eye.
Facet
A flat, polished surface cut into a stone or bead, enhancing its brilliance by reflecting light.
Finding
A general term for metal jewelry components, such as clasps, connecting rings, pins, ear wires, and posts.
Gold
A yellow-colored, soft, shiny metal commonly used in jewelry. The purity of gold is measured in karats:
- 24 Karat (24k): Pure or fine gold
- 12 Karat (12k): 50% gold
- 14 Karat (14k): Approximately 58% gold
Gold less than 24k is an alloy, with other metals such as copper, silver, and zinc.
Gold-Filled
A thin layer of gold bonded to a base metal core. The gold layer must be at least 1/20th (5%) of the overall product by weight. Common purities used in gold-filled products are 12k and 14k:
- 14/20 Gold-Filled or 14k Gold-Filled: 14k gold bonded to the core
- 12/20 Gold-Filled or 12k Gold-Filled: 12k gold bonded to the core
Gold-Plated
A very thin layer of gold bonded to a base metal core, with the gold layer only required to be seven-millionths of an inch thick. The gold layer in gold-filled products is about one hundred times thicker.
Opacity
The quality of not allowing light to pass through, resulting in a solid appearance.
Opaque
Not allowing light to pass through, making the material appear solid.
Sterling Silver
See Silver.
Silver
A white-colored, soft, shiny metal commonly used in jewelry. Silver is available in different levels of purity:
- Fine Silver: 99.9% silver
- Sterling Silver: 92.5% silver, with the remaining 7.5% usually being copper
- Coin Silver: 90% silver with 10% copper
- Nickel Silver: An alloy of copper (65%), nickel, and zinc, containing no actual silver
Silver-Plated
A very thin layer of silver bonded to a base metal core.
Translucent
Allowing some light to pass through, but objects seen through it appear diffused or indistinct.
Transparent
Easily seen through; allowing light to pass through clearly, so objects on the other side are not obscured.