You know what rubies, emeralds, and pearls are, as well as what a rose cut, baguette cut, trilliant cut, and marquise cut is. But are there other terms you should know as a jewelry lover? Truly, jewelry terminology can sometimes sound like a foreign language altogether. But, next time you are in need of new jewelry, either for a gift or you’re just buying it for yourself, it is easier to find what you’re looking for if you are familiar with some jewelry terms.
The outermost portion of the stone, called the bearding or girdle, can develop small cracks that resemble whiskers during the polishing process. It can sometimes be removed, if not too dramatic, with slight re-polishing, and if the weight allows.
With a bezel setting, a rim holds the stone and completely surrounds the gem. It is the upper portion above the girdle of a cut stone. Bezels can have straight edges, scalloped edges, or can be molded into any shape to accommodate the stone. A watch bezel is the upper part of the case surrounding the dial. They can be set with diamonds or other gemstones.
The carat is the unit of measure of weight of diamonds and gemstones. One carat is equivalent to 200 milligrams. One carat can also be divided into 100 “points.”
Champlevé is a French term for ‘raised field’, a technique of enameling in which the enamel is placed in stamped or cut recesses of a metal form.
A stomacher is a very large bodice ornament, usually triangular, filling the area between the neckline and the waistline, also known as a corsage ornament.
Mississippi River Pearls are simply irregularly shaped pearls that are most of the time elongated rather than round.
The Lost Wax Method involves casting metal that uses a rubber mold, which is filled with wax to form a pattern from which a plaster mold is made. The plaster is heated and the wax melts away.
The Gypsy setting involves the stone being sunk into the surrounding metal leaving the top of the stone almost level with the top of the metal surface.
Want to know more jewelry terms? Stick around!
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