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Below are some
common jewelry-industry terms with which the average person may
not be familiar. If you come across any words or phrases
describing gemstones, beads, precious metals or types of jewelry on this site that we
haven’t included here and that you would like explained, please
eMail us and we’ll add
it to this list.
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AB
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Abbreviation for “Aurora Borealis,” a coating on the
surface of some beads – most notably, Swarovski® crystals
- that makes
them appear iridescent. Swarovski coatings are of
excellent quality and remarkably strong. They tend to
withstand normal wear for a very long time. Other AB
coatings may deteriorate more quickly due to abrasion or
chemicals such as hairspray, perfumes, lotions, etc.
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Bali Silver
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Exquisitely detailed, handmade silver beads and jewelry
findings from Bali, Indonesia. Frequently, Bali designs
include areas heavily decorated with tiny silver dots.
This design technique is called “granulation.”
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Cape Amethyst |
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A form of Amethyst layered or striped with milky Quartz.
Source:
http://www.jewelrysupplier.com |
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Cinnabar |
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The substance referred to on this site and throughout the
jewelry industry as Cinnabar
(because of its resemblance to the mineral and the way it
was carved in ancient times), is actually a heavy, molded,
resin-based polymer. Genuine Cinnabar, which derives its
name from its cinnamon–to-scarlet-red color, contains Mercury. We
do not use
Mercury-containing Cinnabar in our jewelry. |
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Daisy spacer
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A silver bead in the shape of an “O,” with small rounds of
silver decorating the outer edge, giving it a ‘daisy’
effect. Used in many and varied applications in
jewelry-making. Also referred to as sterling rondelles.
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Freshwater
Pearls |
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Freshwater pearls occur naturally, or are cultured, in
mussels in the same way that saltwater pearls occur or are
cultured in oysters. Today, most cultured freshwater
pearls are made up entirely of nacre, just like their
natural freshwater and natural saltwater counterparts.
Freshwater pearls come in a myriad of shapes, colors and
sizes. |
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Hematite |
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This dark silvery-charcoal, almost metallic-looking mineral
is an iron oxide. Nearly all commercially
available Hematite beads are a simulated material
virtually identical to real Hematite. The simulated
material looks and feels so much like the real thing that
even lapidary experts say it’s nearly impossible to tell
the difference. The only variance is a slight weight
difference. "Hematine" and "Hemalyke" are names that are
often used for the simulated product. It is widely
believed that most mass-produced Hematite beads are the
simulated product. Hematite subjected to a specialized
heating process becomes strongly magnetized.
Sources: The Orchid List. Open Electronic
Forum for Jewelry Manufacturing Methods and Procedures on
the Web at http://ganoskin.com and Amethyst Galleries’
Mineral Gallery on the Web at http://mineral.galleries.com |
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Lampwork |
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An age-old art form of creating beads from colored glass
which has been melted in a flame. The artist uses tiny
bits of the molten glass to create a base design, which
may then be sealed under another layer of clear or
transparent colored glass. Sometimes, bits of molten glass
are affixed to the outer surface of the bead to form
interesting textures and patterns. The bead is then
annealed (cooled very slowly) in a kiln to make it strong
and durable. Every handmade lampwork bead is a
one-of-a-kind work of art. |
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Marcasite |
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“Marcasite, whose name is derived from the Arabic word for
pyrite, is a common and an attractive mineral. The two
minerals, marcasite and pyrite, are often confused due to
their similar characteristics. Adding to the confusion
between marcasite and pyrite is the use of the word
marcasite as a jewelry trade name. The term is applied to
small polished and faceted stones that are inlayed in
sterling silver. But even though they are called marcasite,
they are actually pyrite.”
Description Copyright © 1995,1996,1999 by Amethyst
Galleries, Inc. Source: http://mineral.galleries.com |
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Peacock Pearls
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Freshwater pearls that have been irradiated to produce a
multi-color finish in shades of mauve, blue, turquoise and
purple. This finish is deemed, by most experts, to be
permanent. |
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Swarovski®
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The Austrian manufacturer of what is arguably the world’s
most perfectly cut and faceted jewelry- and
fashion-industry crystals since 1892. Swarovski® crystals
are renowned for their exquisite color and clarity as well
as their prismatic ‘rainbow’ reflections.
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Vermeil
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(pronounced ver-may) Sterling silver heavily
electroplated with Karat gold.
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