Glossary B & C terms
Bakelite— first man made plastic invented in 1908. Currently, jewelry made from bakelite it is highly sought after. (Also known as phenolic resin)
Baguette— a rectangular-shaped faceted stone that is narrow and extended
Bail— the portion of a pendant that allows a chain to go through to suspend it
Bangle— an inflexible round bracelet
Bar setting— circular band of gemstones that holds each stone in by a long thin bar, shared between two stones-similar to the channel setting
Barrel clasp— a clasp where two pieces screw together to form a barrel shape
Base metal— zinc, tin and lead are examples of base metal- all are non-precious
Bead set— small metal burrs are used to hold stones in place
Bezel setting— a band of metal is placed around each stone individually holing the stone in place
Blemishes— the term blemish is used when a gemstone has scratches or marks on the external area of the stone
Brass— Czechoslovakian jewelry is known for its use. Brass is a mix of zinc and copper having a golden appearance
Brilliance— Joie de vivre, or sparkle in a stone when light is reflected from the surface and from the total internal reflection of light
Book chain— stamped, rectangular links that fold over and remind you of a book.
Box clasp— a v-shape catch is inserted into the square or rectangle creating the clasp
Brooch— larger than a pin and typically worn between the collar bone and the shoulder
Butterfly wing jewelry— jewelry incorporating real butterfly wings in the design that are often painted and enclosed in glass
C-clasp—older clasp closure type consisting of a hook shaped like a C that the pin rests in
Cabochon— typically found as a round dome-shaped stone having a flat back. Cabs are facet-less
Cameo— raised relief sculpture on gemstones such as agate, coral, carnelian, jet, onyx and sardonyx. Other materials used are shell and plastic
Carat— one carat is equivalent to 200 milligrams. One carat can also be divided into 100 "points." A .50-carat stone is the same as a 50-point or 1/2-carat stone. This is a weight measurement of gemstones
Celluloid— an early, thin, lightweight material that is a type of thermoplastic. Early forms were highly flammable until they reformulated to use vinegar instead of camphor and nitric acid. Resembles ivory
Channel setting— gemstones that are set right next to each other (side by side no metal is seen between them) in metal channels held in place by the slight rim that runs along the channel
Chaton— a stone that has 8 facets both on top and bottom. The top is flat and the bottom comes to a point
Choker— a snug fitting necklace
Clarity— gemstone inclusions are ranked on a scale of perfection called clarity
Cleavage— a naturally occurring weak bond within a gemstone. The gem will be split along these planes by the lapidarist
Clip back— an earring clip for un-pierced ears that is hinged
Copper— reddish colored metal made up of brass and bronze
Crown— this is the upper portion or the top of a gemstone including the table and everything above the girdle
Culet— the bottom point of the gemstone
Cushion cut— a gemstone cut that resembles a square pillow
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Best,
D
If you have any suggestions of terms I should add ~ feel free to contact me~~
Baguette— a rectangular-shaped faceted stone that is narrow and extended
Bail— the portion of a pendant that allows a chain to go through to suspend it
Bangle— an inflexible round bracelet
Bar setting— circular band of gemstones that holds each stone in by a long thin bar, shared between two stones-similar to the channel setting
Barrel clasp— a clasp where two pieces screw together to form a barrel shape
Base metal— zinc, tin and lead are examples of base metal- all are non-precious
Bead set— small metal burrs are used to hold stones in place
Bezel setting— a band of metal is placed around each stone individually holing the stone in place
Blemishes— the term blemish is used when a gemstone has scratches or marks on the external area of the stone
Brass— Czechoslovakian jewelry is known for its use. Brass is a mix of zinc and copper having a golden appearance
Brilliance— Joie de vivre, or sparkle in a stone when light is reflected from the surface and from the total internal reflection of light
Book chain— stamped, rectangular links that fold over and remind you of a book.
Box clasp— a v-shape catch is inserted into the square or rectangle creating the clasp
Brooch— larger than a pin and typically worn between the collar bone and the shoulder
Butterfly wing jewelry— jewelry incorporating real butterfly wings in the design that are often painted and enclosed in glass
C-clasp—older clasp closure type consisting of a hook shaped like a C that the pin rests in
Cabochon— typically found as a round dome-shaped stone having a flat back. Cabs are facet-less
Cameo— raised relief sculpture on gemstones such as agate, coral, carnelian, jet, onyx and sardonyx. Other materials used are shell and plastic
Carat— one carat is equivalent to 200 milligrams. One carat can also be divided into 100 "points." A .50-carat stone is the same as a 50-point or 1/2-carat stone. This is a weight measurement of gemstones
Celluloid— an early, thin, lightweight material that is a type of thermoplastic. Early forms were highly flammable until they reformulated to use vinegar instead of camphor and nitric acid. Resembles ivory
Channel setting— gemstones that are set right next to each other (side by side no metal is seen between them) in metal channels held in place by the slight rim that runs along the channel
Chaton— a stone that has 8 facets both on top and bottom. The top is flat and the bottom comes to a point
Choker— a snug fitting necklace
Clarity— gemstone inclusions are ranked on a scale of perfection called clarity
Cleavage— a naturally occurring weak bond within a gemstone. The gem will be split along these planes by the lapidarist
Clip back— an earring clip for un-pierced ears that is hinged
Copper— reddish colored metal made up of brass and bronze
Crown— this is the upper portion or the top of a gemstone including the table and everything above the girdle
Culet— the bottom point of the gemstone
Cushion cut— a gemstone cut that resembles a square pillow
Don't forget to sign up below for Bella Gems! weekly newsletter delivered right to your inbox!!
Best,
D
If you have any suggestions of terms I should add ~ feel free to contact me~~
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