# Jewelry terms from A to Z > A glossary of over one hundred jewelry terms explained in a few words: metals, gems, techniques, tools and parts of a jewel, with links to each topic. - Source: https://www.711grados.com/en/jewelry-terms-a-to-z/ - Language: en - Note: This entry was drafted with the help of AI and is pending review by the author. - Published: 2026-07-17 - Updated: 2026-07-17 - Translation (es): https://www.711grados.com/es/terminos-de-joyeria-de-la-a-a-la-z/ - Author: Sandra Sánchez - Site: 711 Grados (https://www.711grados.com/) --- A short glossary to understand the vocabulary of jewelry. Each definition is brief; where a more detailed page exists, there is a link. ## A - **Alexandrite**: A chrysoberyl variety that changes from green to red depending on the light. - **Alloy**: A mixture of two or more metals to improve hardness, color or price. See [more](https://www.711grados.com/en/jewelry-alloys-how-they-are-made/). - **Amber**: Fossilized tree resin, light and warm; sometimes with inclusions. See [more](https://www.711grados.com/en/amber/). - **Amethyst**: Violet quartz, the birthstone of February. See [more](https://www.711grados.com/en/amethyst/). - **Annealing**: Heating metal to soften it. See [more](https://www.711grados.com/en/annealing-metal/). - **Anode**: The positive electrode in electroplating, which supplies the bath's metal. See [more](https://www.711grados.com/en/electroplating-baths/). - **Aquamarine**: Light blue beryl, the birthstone of March. See [more](https://www.711grados.com/en/aquamarine/). - **Art Deco**: A 1920-1939 style of geometry and contrasting colors. See [more](https://www.711grados.com/en/jewelry-styles-and-periods/). - **Art Nouveau**: A c. 1890-1910 style of curved lines inspired by nature. See [more](https://www.711grados.com/en/jewelry-styles-and-periods/). ## B - **Baguette**: A narrow rectangular cut, often used for side stones. See [more](https://www.711grados.com/en/types-of-gem-and-diamond-cuts/). - **Bead**: A drilled piece for stringing. See [more](https://www.711grados.com/en/bead-making-and-drilling/). - **Beryl**: A mineral family that includes emerald, aquamarine and morganite. See [more](https://www.711grados.com/en/aquamarine/). - **Bezel**: A setting that surrounds the stone with a strip of metal. See [more](https://www.711grados.com/en/bezel-setting/). - **Birthstone**: A stone associated with a birth month. See [more](https://www.711grados.com/en/birthstones-by-month/). - **Brass**: A golden-colored alloy of copper and zinc. See [more](https://www.711grados.com/en/brass/). - **Briolette**: A faceted teardrop cut, drilled for hanging. See [more](https://www.711grados.com/en/types-of-gem-and-diamond-cuts/). - **Brooch / clasp**: A jewel pinned to clothing; also a necklace fastening. See [more](https://www.711grados.com/en/brooches-and-pins/). - **Burnishing**: Smoothing metal by rubbing it with a polished tool, without removing material. See [more](https://www.711grados.com/en/burnishing-metal/). ## C - **Cabochon**: A stone polished into a smooth dome without facets. See [more](https://www.711grados.com/en/cabochon-cutting/). - **Cameo**: A stone or shell carved in relief, with layers of color. See [more](https://www.711grados.com/en/glyptics-cameos-and-intaglios/). - **Carat**: The weight of a gem (0.2 g); different from the karat of gold. See [more](https://www.711grados.com/en/carat-of-gems-and-karats-of-gold/). - **Casting**: Pouring molten metal into a mold. See [more](https://www.711grados.com/en/casting/). - **Casting grain**: Metal in small grains, for melting. See [more](https://www.711grados.com/en/metal-ingots-and-casting-grain/). - **Chain**: A series of linked loops; there are dozens of designs. See [more](https://www.711grados.com/en/types-of-jewelry-chains/). - **Charm**: A decorative pendant added to a bracelet or necklace. See [more](https://www.711grados.com/en/pendants-and-charms/). - **Charm / pendant**: A small piece hanging from a chain. See [more](https://www.711grados.com/en/pendants-and-charms/). - **Choker**: A necklace that fits snugly around the neck. See [more](https://www.711grados.com/en/necklace-styles/). - **Clasp**: A mechanism that joins the ends of a jewel or fastens an earring. See [more](https://www.711grados.com/en/types-of-jewelry-clasps-and-earring-backs/). - **Cloisonné**: Enamel inside wire partitions soldered to a base. See [more](https://www.711grados.com/en/cloisonne-enamel/). - **Copper**: A reddish, malleable metal and a good conductor. See [more](https://www.711grados.com/en/copper/). - **Coral**: The skeleton of a marine animal, red or pink. See [more](https://www.711grados.com/en/coral/). - **Costume jewelry**: Jewelry made from non-precious materials. See [more](https://www.711grados.com/en/fine-jewelry-vs-costume-jewelry/). - **Crown**: The upper part of a cut stone, above the girdle. See [more](https://www.711grados.com/en/types-of-gem-and-diamond-cuts/). - **Crucible**: A refractory container in which metal is melted. See [more](https://www.711grados.com/en/casting-crucibles/). - **Cubic zirconia**: A colorless synthetic crystal that imitates diamond. See [more](https://www.711grados.com/en/cubic-zirconia/). - **Culet**: The point or bottom facet of a cut stone. See [more](https://www.711grados.com/en/types-of-gem-and-diamond-cuts/). - **Curb chain**: A chain of twisted links that lie flat. See [more](https://www.711grados.com/en/catalog-of-chain-links/). - **Cushion cut**: A square or rectangular cut with rounded corners. See [more](https://www.711grados.com/en/types-of-gem-and-diamond-cuts/). - **Cut / size**: The way a gem is cut; also the size of a ring. See [more](https://www.711grados.com/en/types-of-gem-and-diamond-cuts/). ## D - **Damascening**: Inlay of gold or silver wire in engraved steel. See [more](https://www.711grados.com/en/damascening/). - **Diamond**: Crystallized carbon, the hardest gem (10 on Mohs). See [more](https://www.711grados.com/en/diamond/). ## E - **Ear cuff**: An earring that hugs the edge of the ear. See [more](https://www.711grados.com/en/earring-styles/). - **Earring**: A jewel worn on the ear. See [more](https://www.711grados.com/en/earrings-or-ear-pendants/). - **Electroforming**: Making a hollow piece by depositing metal on a model. See [more](https://www.711grados.com/en/electroforming/). - **Emerald**: Green beryl; also a rectangular cut with cut corners. See [more](https://www.711grados.com/en/emerald/). - **Enamel**: Colored glass fused onto metal. See [more](https://www.711grados.com/en/enamel/). - **Engraving**: Marking lines or designs into metal with a graver. See [more](https://www.711grados.com/en/engraving-in-jewelry/). - **Eternity ring**: A ring with stones all around the band. See [more](https://www.711grados.com/en/ring-styles/). ## F - **Faceting**: Cutting a gem with polished flat facets. See [more](https://www.711grados.com/en/gemstone-faceting/). - **Filigree**: Lacework of very fine soldered metal wires. See [more](https://www.711grados.com/en/filigree/). - **Fineness**: The purity of a metal in parts per thousand (for example 750). See [more](https://www.711grados.com/en/carat-of-gems-and-karats-of-gold/). - **Finish**: The final surface texture of a jewel: polished, satin, matte, brushed or hammered. See [more](https://www.711grados.com/en/surface-finishes-matte-satin-brushed-hammered/). - **Flux**: A product that prevents oxidation and helps solder flow. See [more](https://www.711grados.com/en/jewelry-soldering/). - **Four Cs**: Color, clarity, cut and carat: criteria for grading a diamond. See [more](https://www.711grados.com/en/diamond-4cs-cut-color-clarity-carat/). ## G - **Garnet**: A family of deep red gems, the birthstone of January. See [more](https://www.711grados.com/en/garnet/). - **Girdle**: The outer edge of a cut stone. See [more](https://www.711grados.com/en/types-of-gem-and-diamond-cuts/). - **Gold**: A precious metal, soft when pure, which is alloyed. See [more](https://www.711grados.com/en/gold/). - **Gold plating**: A very thin layer of gold deposited over another metal. See [more](https://www.711grados.com/en/gilding-fire-leaf-and-electro/). - **Granulation**: Decoration with tiny soldered metal spheres. See [more](https://www.711grados.com/en/granulation/). ## H - **Hallmark**: A stamped mark showing the metal's fineness or the maker. See [more](https://www.711grados.com/en/jewelry-hallmarks-and-stamps/). - **Halo**: A center stone surrounded by small stones. See [more](https://www.711grados.com/en/halo-cluster-and-three-stone-settings/). - **Hardness (Mohs)**: Resistance to scratching, from 1 to 10. - **Huggie**: A small hoop that hugs the earlobe. See [more](https://www.711grados.com/en/earring-styles/). ## I - **ID bracelet**: A bracelet with a plate for engraving names. See [more](https://www.711grados.com/en/slave-and-id-bracelets/). - **Inclusion**: An internal feature of a gem, a trace of its formation. See [more](https://www.711grados.com/en/diamond-4cs-cut-color-clarity-carat/). - **Ingot**: A bar of cast metal. See [more](https://www.711grados.com/en/metal-ingots-and-casting-grain/). - **Intaglio**: A design carved in recess in a stone, used as a seal. See [more](https://www.711grados.com/en/glyptics-cameos-and-intaglios/). ## J - **Jade**: The name of two minerals, jadeite and nephrite; green and very tough. See [more](https://www.711grados.com/en/jade/). - **Jet**: Polished lignite, black and light; typical of mourning jewelry. See [more](https://www.711grados.com/en/jet/). - **Jewelry anatomy**: The names of the parts of a ring, earring or necklace. See [more](https://www.711grados.com/en/parts-of-a-piece-of-jewelry/). ## K - **Karat**: Part out of 24 of gold purity (18K = 75%). See [more](https://www.711grados.com/en/carat-of-gems-and-karats-of-gold/). - **Kumihimo**: Japanese braiding of threads on a disk or marudai. See [more](https://www.711grados.com/en/kumihimo-and-braiding/). ## L - **Lapis lazuli**: A deep blue rock with pyrite flecks. See [more](https://www.711grados.com/en/lapis-lazuli/). - **Lariat**: A long chain with no clasp, knotted or draped. See [more](https://www.711grados.com/en/necklace-styles/). - **Laser**: A tool for precision welding, engraving and cutting. See [more](https://www.711grados.com/en/lasers-in-jewelry/). - **Lost-wax casting**: Casting a piece from a wax model. See [more](https://www.711grados.com/en/lost-wax-casting/). - **Loupe**: A 10x lens for examining stones and marks. See [more](https://www.711grados.com/en/jewelers-loupe-and-microscope/). ## M - **Malleability**: A metal's ability to deform without breaking. - **Marquise**: An oval cut pointed at both ends. See [more](https://www.711grados.com/en/types-of-gem-and-diamond-cuts/). - **Medallion**: A round or other-shaped jewel worn hanging; sometimes opening. See [more](https://www.711grados.com/en/medallions-and-lockets/). - **Metal clay**: A paste of metal powder and binder that is modeled and sintered. See [more](https://www.711grados.com/en/metal-clay/). - **Milgrain**: A border of small beads that decorates a setting. See [more](https://www.711grados.com/en/stone-settings-types/). - **Moissanite**: Silicon carbide, a brilliant alternative to diamond. See [more](https://www.711grados.com/en/moissanite/). - **Mokume gane**: Wood-grain metal: layers of metals fused and twisted. See [more](https://www.711grados.com/en/mokume-gane/). - **Mother-of-pearl / nacre**: The inner layer of mollusks, which gives pearls their luster. See [more](https://www.711grados.com/en/mother-of-pearl-and-shells/). ## N - **Nickel**: A metal that causes allergies in many people. See [more](https://www.711grados.com/en/hypoallergenic-jewelry-and-nickel-allergy/). - **Niello**: A black alloy that fills engravings in silver. See [more](https://www.711grados.com/en/niello/). ## O - **Opal**: A gem with play of color; sensitive to knocks and drying. See [more](https://www.711grados.com/en/opal/). ## P - **Palladium**: A platinum-group metal, light and white. See [more](https://www.711grados.com/en/palladium/). - **Patina**: An oxidation layer that darkens or colors the metal. See [more](https://www.711grados.com/en/coloring-of-metals/). - **Pavé**: A setting with many small stones close together. See [more](https://www.711grados.com/en/pave-setting/). - **Pavilion**: The lower part of a cut stone, below the girdle. See [more](https://www.711grados.com/en/types-of-gem-and-diamond-cuts/). - **Pearl**: An organic gem formed by a mollusk. See [more](https://www.711grados.com/en/pearls/). - **Pewter**: An alloy of tin with antimony and copper. See [more](https://www.711grados.com/en/tin-pewter/). - **Pickle**: A mild acid bath that cleans oxide after soldering or annealing. See [more](https://www.711grados.com/en/pickling-metal/). - **Piercing / sawing**: Cutting shapes into metal with a jeweler's saw. See [more](https://www.711grados.com/en/sawing-and-piercing/). - **Platinum**: A dense, white, durable precious metal. See [more](https://www.711grados.com/en/platinum/). - **Pliers**: Tools for holding, bending and cutting metal. See [more](https://www.711grados.com/en/jewelry-pliers-and-tweezers/). - **Plique-à-jour**: Translucent enamel with no backing, like stained glass. See [more](https://www.711grados.com/en/plique-a-jour-enamel/). - **Polishing**: Giving a surface a mirror shine. See [more](https://www.711grados.com/en/polishing-and-buffing-metal/). - **Prong**: A small metal claw that holds a stone. See [more](https://www.711grados.com/en/prong-setting/). ## Q - **Quartz**: A very common mineral: rock crystal, amethyst, citrine, rose or smoky quartz. See [more](https://www.711grados.com/en/quartz/). ## R - **Refining**: The process of purifying a metal and separating it from others. See [more](https://www.711grados.com/en/refining-and-cupellation/). - **Repoussé**: Giving relief to metal by hammering from both sides. See [more](https://www.711grados.com/en/chasing-and-repousse/). - **Resin**: A liquid plastic that hardens; also the name of natural resins. See [more](https://www.711grados.com/en/resin/). - **Retipping**: Repairing the tips of worn prongs. See [more](https://www.711grados.com/en/prong-retipping/). - **Rhodium plating**: A rhodium bath that gives white gold or silver a bright white. See [more](https://www.711grados.com/en/rhodium/). - **Ring (jump ring)**: A metal ring or loop; also a wedding band in some countries. - **Rolling**: Reducing the thickness of metal between rollers. See [more](https://www.711grados.com/en/rolling-and-wire-drawing/). - **Rose gold**: Gold alloyed with copper. See [more](https://www.711grados.com/en/gold/). - **Ruby**: Red corundum, the birthstone of July. See [more](https://www.711grados.com/en/ruby/). ## S - **Sapphire**: Corundum of any color except red; blue is the best known. See [more](https://www.711grados.com/en/sapphire/). - **Sautoir**: A very long necklace with a tassel or pendant. See [more](https://www.711grados.com/en/necklace-styles/). - **Seal / signet**: An engraved piece for stamping; also a signet ring. See [more](https://www.711grados.com/en/seals-in-jewelry/). - **Setting**: The way a stone is held in a jewel. See [more](https://www.711grados.com/en/stone-settings-types/). - **Silver**: A bright white precious metal. See [more](https://www.711grados.com/en/silver/). - **Soldering**: Joining metal pieces with an alloy of lower melting point. See [more](https://www.711grados.com/en/jewelry-soldering/). - **Solitaire**: A ring with a single stone. See [more](https://www.711grados.com/en/ring-styles/). - **Stainless steel**: An iron-chromium alloy that does not rust; durable and affordable. See [more](https://www.711grados.com/en/stainless-steel/). - **Stamping**: Shaping metal by pressing it into a die. See [more](https://www.711grados.com/en/stamping-and-die-striking/). - **Sterling silver (925)**: An alloy of 92.5% silver and 7.5% copper. See [more](https://www.711grados.com/en/what-is-925-silver/). ## T - **Table**: The flat top facet of a cut stone. See [more](https://www.711grados.com/en/types-of-gem-and-diamond-cuts/). - **Tanzanite**: A blue-violet zoisite variety from Tanzania. - **Tension setting**: A setting in which the pressure of the band holds the stone. See [more](https://www.711grados.com/en/tension-setting/). - **Tiger's eye**: Golden quartz with a silky banded sheen. - **Tin**: A soft, silvery metal, the base of pewter. See [more](https://www.711grados.com/en/tin-pewter/). - **Titanium**: A light, strong, hypoallergenic metal. See [more](https://www.711grados.com/en/titanium/). - **Topaz**: A gem of many colors, the birthstone of November. See [more](https://www.711grados.com/en/topaz/). - **Torc**: A rigid open necklace, typical of the Celts. See [more](https://www.711grados.com/en/torcs-and-torques/). - **Torch**: A tool giving the flame for soldering and annealing. See [more](https://www.711grados.com/en/jewelers-torches/). - **Trinket bead**: A small decorative piece that is strung or sewn. See [more](https://www.711grados.com/en/bead-making-and-drilling/). - **Tungsten**: A very hard metal, used in wedding bands. See [more](https://www.711grados.com/en/tungsten/). - **Turquoise**: A blue-green phosphate, porous and delicate. See [more](https://www.711grados.com/en/turquoise/). ## U - **Ultrasonic cleaning**: Cleaning by vibration in a liquid. See [more](https://www.711grados.com/en/ultrasonic-jewelry-cleaner-when-to-use/). ## V - **Vermeil**: 925 silver with a thick layer of gold. See [more](https://www.711grados.com/en/gold-plated-filled-vermeil-and-solid/). - **Vermeil**: See gold vermeil. See [more](https://www.711grados.com/en/gold-plated-filled-vermeil-and-solid/). ## W - **Wedding band**: A wedding ring, a plain band or one set with stones. See [more](https://www.711grados.com/en/wedding-rings/). - **White gold**: Gold alloyed with palladium or nickel, usually rhodium-plated. See [more](https://www.711grados.com/en/rhodium/). ## See also - [Types of gem and diamond cuts](https://www.711grados.com/en/types-of-gem-and-diamond-cuts/) - [Catalog of chain links](https://www.711grados.com/en/catalog-of-chain-links/) - [Types of jewelry clasps (necklaces, bracelets and earrings)](https://www.711grados.com/en/types-of-jewelry-clasps-and-earring-backs/) - [Jewelry styles and periods: Georgian, Victorian, Art Nouveau, Art Deco](https://www.711grados.com/en/jewelry-styles-and-periods/)