Here is a small glossary of jewelry terms you should know and understand before you begin shopping for jewelry, whether for yourself or for someone special on your gift giving list.
Birthstone - This particular gemstone relates with the various calendar months of the year or to any particular astrological sign. Although there are traditional gemstones for each zodiac sign, also other gemstones are usefully associated to each month or astrological sign for birthstone jewelry.
Carat - A carat is the standard of measure of weight used for weighing gemstones.
Diamond - A diamond is a mineral form of crystalline carbon. Diamonds today are highly valued based on the 4 C’s; they are the color, cut or shape clarity and carat size.
Facet - The facet is the flat polished surfaces cut into a gemstone. These facets allow the gemstone to mirror light and glisten with brilliance.
Fracture - A fracture is a break or crack that runs in the opposite direction that naturally occurs in gemstone crystals.
Gemstone - A gemstone is any precious or semi-precious mineral, stone or rock that is useful for jewelry making after being cut and polished.
Gold - There are three precious metals. Gold is one of the three precious metals.
Hardness - Regarding jewelry, the compositional hardness assessment will specify the material in questions resistance to any type of scratching and chipping.
Hue - The hue is the exclusive color categorization that is given to a particular gemstone based on the seven colors within the color spectrum.
Inclusion - An inclusion is any type of foreign body found enclosed inside of a gemstone or mineral.
Jewelry - There are various types and styles of jewelry, they are the ornamental adornments that we wear on our bodies.
Karat - Karat is a variation of the word carat, it is used to describe the purity of gold.
Platinum - There are three precious metals used in jewelry making. Platinum is one of the three precious metals.
Precious metal - The three precious metals used in jewelry making are gold, silver and platinum. They are metals that are highly esteemed for their rarity, color and pliability.
Silver - Silver is one of the three precious metals.
Table - The table of a gemstone refers to the large flat, top facet of a cut gemstone that is positioned in the center of the crown of the jewel.
Tone - Tone refers to how dark or light a gemstone may appear.
Width - Width refers to the horizontal dimension across the widest region of any piece of jewelry.
© 2009 Sara Valor
