From Amethyst to Zircon, the world of jewelry is fascinating, beautiful and sometimes complex. We hope this educational glossary will help keep you informed as you shop.
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| Abalone | A mollusk whose shell interior exhibits lustrous rainbow-like colors. |
| Acroite | A transparent form of tourmaline, a crystalline rock. |
| Adularia | A common type of moonstone with a blue tint. |
| Adventurine Quartz | A translucent to green colored stone composed of silica or silicon dioxide and containing flecks of mica or other shiny metallic mineral throughout. |
| African Emerald | A deep green fluorite, composed of calcium fluoride, originiating in South Africa. Named because it resembles the color and structure of an emerald which is composed of chromium. |
| African Jade | A green garnet originiating in South Africa. Named because it closely resembles in color the gemstone jade. |
| Agate | A common variety of quartz that features random spots or layered colors. |
| Alabaster | A name for the mineral gypsum when it is finely-textured, compact and white or gray in color. |
| Albite | A common type of feldspar and white in color. |
| Alexandrite | A form of chrysoberyl that changes color according to the light it is viewed in and named after Czar Alexander II after being discovered in Russia at the time of his rule. The mineral appears blue green in sunlight, red in candle light, green in fluorescent light and red purple in electric light. |
| Alexandrite Effect | Changing color according to the light the item is viewed in, referring to that quality of the stone alexandrite.
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| Allochroite | A type of garnet that is darkly colored. |
| Alloy | Formed from two or more metals. |
| Almandine | A type of garnet that is deep red to red brown in color. |
| Alpaca | An alloy used as a substitute for silver. Comprised of 55% copper, 20% nickel, 20% zinc, and 5% tin.
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| Aluminum | A very common and lightweight ore that is bluish silver-white in color. |
| Amazonite | An iridescent variety of jade that is usually green to blue green in color. Named after first being discovered in the Amazon river. |
| Amber | The fossilized resin of conifer trees, commonly yellow to red in color. |
| American Ruby | A silicate gemstone that is poppy or blood-red in color, a type of garnet also known as a pyrope. |
| Amethyst | A type of quartz known best for being purple in color and the birthstone for February. |
| Ametrine | A gemstone that is composed of portions of both amethyst and citrine. |
| Ammolite | The fossilized spiral shell of the extinct ammonite found only in Alberta, Canada and usually an iridescent gray color. |
| Amulet | An ornament worn or carried to protect the owner from evil or disease. |
| Andradite | A type of garnet composed of calcium and iron and occuring in a wide variety of colors. |
| Angelskin Coral | Skeletal deposits produced by ocean-dwelling polyps in a pale pink color. |
| Anklet | An ornamental band or chain worn around the ankle. |
| Antiqued | A finish that gives the appearance of age to an item. |
| Apatite | Concerning jewelry it generally refers to a crystal formed from calcium phosphate minerals that occurs in many colors, sometimes with a variable luster. |
| Applique | A decorative item attached to something larger. |
| Aqua Aura | An irredescent blue Quartz crystal, created after being coated with a metallic element. |
| Aquamarine | A very light blue to sea-green gemstone named for the latin phrase meaning "water of the sea." The birthstone for March. |
| Arcade Setting | A manner of holding a gemstone in place in a jewelry piece by placing it in a metal ring and then securing it with multiple metal claws. |
| Arctic Opal | A stone composed of azurite and malachite that is found in Alaska and blue green in color. |
| Arizona Spinel | A type of garnet resembeling a crystalline mineral called a spinel and found in the US state of Arizona. |
| Art Deco | A design style from the 1920s and 1930s identified by geometric shapes, bold colors and outlines, and the use of new materials such as plastics. |
| Art Nouveau | A design style from the late 19th century identified by flowing lines, curves and various themes from nature. |
| Arts and Crafts | Referring to handmade items. The term originated from a movement begun during the late 19th century to promote the value of the craftsperson themselves over identical mass produced items. |
| Asparagus Stone | A crystal formed from calcium phosphate minerals, also known as apatite, occuring in a yellow green color. |
| Asscher Cut | A rectangular or square shape created from a precious stone featuring wide, flat polished surfaces (facets) in a stepped pattern parallel to the outermost edge of the stone when viewed from the side and top (the girdle).
This style, which was named for famed Dutch diamond cutter Joseph Asscher, also features a small table (the top center of the stone), a tall upper portion called the crown, a deeply pointed shape below the girdle called a pavilion, and a square flat facet at the tip of the pavilion called the cutlet. |
| Asterism | When light reflected or transmitted into a crystal causes a star shape to appear. |
| Aurora Borealis | Northern lights. Also referring to a process invented by Christian Dior and the Swarovski company in 1955 that provides rhinestones with an iridescent finish. |
| Austrian crystal | A high-quality glass containing at least 10% lead oxide which is cut with various decorative edges and angles by the Swarovski factory in Wattens, Austria.
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| Aventurine | A translucent to green colored quartz stone with flecks of mica or other shiny metallic mineral throughout. Also referring to glass with pieces of some sparkling foreign material, such as copper, throughout. |
| Aventurine Feldspar | A mineral composed of soda-lime that varies in color from golden yellow to red-brown and features hematite or similar glittering crystals throughout. Also known as Sunstone. |
| Aventurine Glass | A shapeless, melted material made rigid and uncrystallized by cooling and containing pieces of some sparkling foreign material, usually copper, throughout. |
| Awabi Pearl | The Japanses name for a lustrous milky white gem formed when an abalone reacts to an irritant that enters their shell. |
| Azurite | A mineral occuring in various shades of blue composed of basic carbonate of copper. |
| Azurite Malachite | A combination of minerals occuring in bands of various shades of blue and green and composed of both basic carbonate of copper and hydrous carbonate of copper. |
| Baguette | A cut for a gemstone resembling the narrow rectangle of a loaf of french bread. |
| Bail | A loop connecting a jewelry piece to a chain or cord, usually made of metal. |
| Bakelite | A moldable plastic used often in US jewelry during the 1930s which smells like formaldehyde when rubbed. |
| Bangle | A rigid bracelet that attaches around the wrist or slips onto the wrist over the hand. |
| Bar Brooch | A piece of jewelry in a long, narrow rectangular shape with a pin on the back that pierces a piece of material (usually clothing) twice before attaching onto itself with a clasp. |
| Baroque | An irregularly shaped pearl. But can also refer to a glass bead or stone with similar characteristics. |
| Barrel Clasp | A metal piece resembling a barrel when closed that is used to attach two ends (usually of a cord or chain) together. One side of the piece turns inside a screw attached to the end on the other side. |
| Basalt | A dark gray to black volcanic rock created from the solidification of magma. |
| Base Metal | Any metal that is not silver, gold or platinum. |
| Basket | A gemstone setting with numerous holes punched in the side creating a basket-like or lacy look. |
| Bead | A sturdy object, often round and small, with a hole through it so that it can be threaded on a wire or string. |
| Belly Ring | A piece of circular jewlery, often with varied embellishments, that attaches itself through a hole pierced around or on the belly button. |
| Beryl | Any stone composed of a silicate of beryllium and aluminum, including aquamarine and emeralds. |
| Betrothal Ring | Also known as an engagement ring, usually referring to a plain metal band presented to one person from another as a sign of their intention to marry. |
| Blue Topaz | A gemstone that turns a vivid blue when exposed to heat though usually colorless or light brown originally.
An alternate birthstone for December. |
| Bracelet | An ornamental band or chain worn around the wrist. |
| Brooch | A piece of jewelry with a pin on the back that pierces a piece of material (usually clothing) twice before attaching onto itself with a clasp. |
| Butterfly Clutch | A fitting that slides onto the back of an earring post to keep the earring in place. |
| Chrysolite | A light to olive green gemstone usually found in volcanic rocks or meteorites. Also called peridot or olivine. |
| Citrine | A type of quartz that is light yellow to orange in color and is named after "citron," the french word for lemon. The birthstone for November. |
| Clip-Back Earring | A hinged ring, usually located on an earring, with a pad, called a "comfort back", at one end to fasten to the earlobe without the ear needing to be pierced. |
| Clip-On | A piece of jewelry that is intended to be attached and secured by means of hinged piece of material, usually metal or plastic, that closes tightly around or pinches the ear. |
| Coral | Skeletal deposits produced by ocean-dwelling polyps. The deposits occur in branch-like shapes and are usually in hues of red, orange or pink. |
| Crystal | A high-quality glass invented in 17th century England containing at least 10% lead oxide and cut with various decorative edges and angles. The lead diferentiates the crystal from ordinary glass by imparting it with added brilliance and a texture suitable for engraving and cuting. Also known as lead crystal. |
| Dangle | A piece of jewelry, usually earrings, that swing freely from a set point; implying motion. |
| Diamond | A gemstone formed over millions of years from compressed crystallized carbon. Diamonds are best known as clear in color and the birthstone for April. |
| Drop | A piece of jewelry, usually earrings, that resembles a drop of liquid. |
| Emerald | A vivid green gemstone, the mostly highly prized of which come from Columbia. The birthstone for May.
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| Feldspar | A family of minerals which are essential parts of almost all crystalline rocks. |
| Garnet | A silicate gemstone best known for being a deep red color similar to that of a pomegranate seed for which it is named. The birthstone for January. |
| Gypsum | A white mineral composed of hydrous calcium sulfate. |
| Jade | A gemstone usually found in opaque shades of green. Named for the now unused Spanish word ijada which means loin stone. |
| Lead Crystal | A high-quality glass invented in 17th century England containing at least 10% lead oxide and cut with various decorative edges and angles. The lead diferentiates the crystal from ordinary glass by imparting it with added brilliance and a texture suitable for engraving and cuting. |
| Malachite | A mineral occuring in pronounced bands of various shades of green and composed of hydrous carbonate of copper. |
| Moonstone | A variety of feldspar that is milky white with white or light blue iridescent spots. |
| Mother of Pearl | The interior of a mollusk shell which exhibits lustrous rainbow-like colors. |
| Nephrite | A more common and less valuable type of jade that varies in color from white to dark green or black. Created when the mineral tremolite is compacted. |
| Non-Precious | Any metal that is not gold, silver, or platinum or any gemstone that is not a diamond, sapphire, emerald or ruby. |
| Non-Precious Gemstone | Any gemstone that is not a diamond, sapphire, emerald or ruby. |
| Non-Precious Metal | Any metal that is not silver, gold or platinum. |
| Olivine | A light to olive green gemstone usually found in volcanic rocks or meteorites. Also called chrysolite or olivine. |
| Opal | A iridescent gemstone that reflects a rainbow of colors when angled in different ways. The birthstone for October.
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| Pearl | A lustrous milky white gem formed when a oyster or other mollusk reacts to an irritant that enters their shell. The birthstone for June. |
| Peridot | A light to olive green gemstone usually found in volcanic rocks or meteorites and is the birthstone for August. Also called chrysolite or olivine. |
| Precious Gemstone | Referring to diamonds, sapphires, emeralds or rubies. |
| Precious Metal | Referring to gold, silver or platinum. |
| Pyrope Garnet | A silicate gemstone that is poppy or blood-red in color, a type of garnet also known as an American ruby. |
| Quartz | A crystal composed of silicon dioxide most commonly clear in color. |
| Ruby | A red gemstone and the birthstone for July. |
| Sapphire | A gemstone that can appear in most any color and is formed from the mineral corundum. Blue sapphires are the birthstone for September. |
| Spinel | A crystalline mineral named from the latin word "spina" for thorn and occuring in a variety of colors, the most valuable of which being red. |
| Sunstone | A mineral composed of soda-lime that varies in color from golden yellow to red-brown and features hematite or similar glittering crystals throughout. Also known as Aventurine Feldspar. |
| Topaz | A gemstone that occurs in rhombohedral crystals with a strong hue that can vary in color. The most valuable color is a golden yellow to orange but the most popular is a light blue. The birthstone for November. |
| Tourmaline | A crystalline rock formed from a large group of minerals that occurs in many colors. Black is the most common color while transparent red and green colors are often used as gemstones. |
