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Pictorial
Glossary of Jewelry Terms
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CARBON A diamond is composed of pure
carbon. Carbon, when subjected to tremendous amounts of heat and pressure,
crystallizes. Many diamonds do not completely crystallize. As a diamond
crystal forms, some Carbon may not be crystallized resulting in birthmarks
known as inclusions. Inclusions aid jewelers in identifying diamonds and
make every diamond unique. The best way to identify your diamond is know
what its inclusions look like, unless of course you are fortunate enough to
own a flawless diamond, which has perfect crystal structure and no
inclusions. |
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CASTING A process used to manufacture
jewelry. Molten metal is poured into a mold and allowed to cool resulting in
raw piece of metal, also called a casting, which has taken the shape of the
design in the mold. Items can be cast one at a time or in very large
quantities with specialized manufacturing techniques. |
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CHANNEL SETTING The art of setting
gemstones in a channel, which is two walls of metal between which a gem is
set so it appears suspended in a groove. Channel setting is generally used
for small stones of similar size, but graduated gemstones can also be
channel set in this manner. |
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CHASING A very decorative engraving
with intricate detail performed by a highly skilled craftsmen. |
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CHATOYANCY A phenomenon caused
by reflections from parallel needle like inclusions in a cabochon such as
cat's-eye gemstone. |
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CIRCA The
description for the approximate date of manufacture. An antique item may be
described as Circa 1920 to describe its age or the approximate period which
it's design would be associated with. |
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CLARITY
The amount or absence of inclusions or other imperfections within a gemstone
determines its clarity. A Clarity grade can be assigned to a gemstone based
on the amount of imperfections, their size, relief (contrast and
appearance), and location within a gemstone. Clarity is one of the 4Cs used
to grade diamonds in the AGS system of diamond grading. |
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CLARITY GRADE
A category used to describe the amount or absence of inclusions within a
diamond. The GIA. Diamond clarity grading scale consists of eleven clarity
grades. They are, in order of decreasing quality: FL (Flawless), IF
(Internally Flawless), VVS1 and VVS2 (Very Very Slightly Included), VS1 and
VS2 (Very Slightly Included), SI1 and SI2 (Slightly Included), I1 and I2 and
I3 (Imperfect). Within the jewelry industry the clarity grade SI3 is used
because the I1 and SI2 clarity grades encompass a vast range of qualities
within their grades, which cannot be priced similarly based on the clarity
grade alone. The diamond Council and many Gem Laboratories use the SI3
grade. AGS, who has created their grading system however, has not
acknowledged the SI3 grade to date. |
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CLASP
A lock or closure used to fasten a necklace, bracelet, etc. that makes it
easy to put on or take off a piece of jewelry and is designed to prevent
loss. Typical clasps are a Lobster Claw, Barrel Lock, Pearl Clasp, or
Spring Ring. Clasps may be hidden or a featured part of an items design
such as a toggle clasp, which is worn in the front, and is used on many
necklaces and bracelets. |
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CLASS RING
A ring worn by graduates of high school or college depicting the school
attended, graduation year, school insignia, school affiliations to teams etc
and/or gemstone for the school or birth month. |
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CLOISONNÉ
A type of enamel used in jewelry manufacturing. A design is made on metal
and small carved out areas called cells or cloisons are filled with enamel
and heated in a kiln or oven. |
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CLUTCH An
earring back, also called a push back, which uses friction to secure itself
against an earring post and hold an earring against the ear. |
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CLUSTER RING A
ring set with many gemstones. The gemstones may be of similar or different
colors or sizes |
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COCKTAIL RING
A type of ring, generally more elaborate. An
eye-catching ring such as one you might wear to a cocktail party. The new
term is Right Hand Ring. |
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COIN SILVER
An alloy of 90% silver and 10% copper. Most United states silver coins are
made of coin silver. |
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COLLAR BAR
A bar worn beneath a tie, attached to the collar of a shirt. |
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COLOR GRADE
A category used to describe the amount or absence of color, typically
yellow, within a diamond or other gemstone. A color grade describes the
body color of a diamond and not the colors that can be seen coming from a
Diamond. The AGS Diamond color grading scale consists of twenty three
grades represented by the letters of the alphabet beginning with the letter
D and subcategorized as follows: COLORLESS (D,E,F), NEAR COLORLESS (G,H,I,J),
FAINT YELLOW (K,L,M), VERY LIGHT YELLOW (N,O,P,Q,R), LIGHT YELLOW (S,T,U,V,W,X,Y,Z) |
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COLORED STONES All
gemstones other than diamonds, or colored diamonds. |
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CORUNDUM A
gem species that is found in many colors. Red corundum is called ruby and
all other varieties are called sapphire. Blue Sapphire is best known,
however pink, green, and yellow sapphire are also relatively popular. |
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COSTUME JEWELRY
Any jewelry made from materials other than the noble metals (gold, silver &
platinum). Costume jewelry can also be very expensive, especially when
associated with a designer’s name. Costume jewelry is usually trendy, in
fashion, and often much bolder in shapes, materials, and size because of
lower material costs. |
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CUBIC ZIRCONIA A
man-made material usually facetted so it will be similar in appearance to a
diamond. |
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CUFF BRACELET
A type of bangle bracelet that does not meet and is put on from the side of
the wrist instead of being slipped over the hand. |
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CUFF LINK
A piece of jewelry usually designed with a post and hinge that goes through
the two button holes on a shirt or (French cuffs - without buttons).
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Member
American Gem Society