BOHEMIAN is a style of jewelry and clothing exemplified by flowing lines, natural materials and funky details. Bright colors, layers and casual pieces are hallmarks of the Boho style.
BOHEMIAN DIAMOND is not a diamond at all, it is actually a rock crystal.
BOHEMIAN RUBY is actually a pyrope garnet and not a ruby at all.
BOLT RINGA, also known as a spring ring, is a hollow circular metal fastening ring with a spring opening. It is used to attach two other rings or links of a necklace or bracelet. The bolt ring was invented early in the 1900s.
BONDING is a process in which a colorless bonding agent, such as plastic, is applied on and into a porous gemstone to make the stone more durable and enhance its appearance.
BONE
BOOKCHAIN is a metal chain with rectangular links of folded metal, each of which looks like a little book. This style dates from the Victorian Era when the chains held lockets.
BORT is a term for industrial grade diamonds.
BOTANICAL GEMS are minerals that form from plants or plant material. Some botanical gems are; amber which is fossilized tree resin--coconut pearl, a rare, shiny, calcareious pearl-like mineral that forms inside the coconut (Cocos nucifera) and pearl opal which is also called Tabasheer opal that forms in injured bamboo joints.
BOUTON PEARL, also called a blister pearl, is a pearl that developed attached to the inside of the mollusk's shell. This type of pearl must be cut off the shell and is therefore hemispherical, or half a sphere. Because of their shape, blister pearls are mostly used for earrings.
BOX CHAIN is square metal links connected to form a smooth, even chain; often used for men's jewelry.
BRACELET is an ornament worn wrapped around the wrist. Types of bracelets include solid and hinged bangles, expansion, cuff, beaded, charm bracelets, Yurman-style and link bracelets.
BRASS is a metal alloy containing at least 50 percent of both copper and zinc.
BRAZILIAN CHAIN, also called a snake chain, is a metal chain made up of a series of small, linked cups.
BRILLIANCE is a term that describes the white light reflected up through the surface of a diamond. Brilliance is maximized by cutting a diamond to the correct proportions.
BRILLIANT CUT stones have 56 facets; 32 facets are above the girdle, 24 are below. Most modern-day diamonds are brilliant-cut since it maximizes the amount of reflected light from the stone and imparts its natural fire. The brilliant cut was introduced in the 1600s.
BRIOLETTE, pronounced Bree-o-let is also called drop cut. It is a pear-shaped cut gemstone with triangular facets on top. This type of stone makes a nice pendant.
BROOCH, also called a pin, is an ornament that can be pinned to a garment.
BRONZE is a metal alloy containing at least 60 percent copper, tin and other metals.
BRUSHED FINISH on a metal's surface is made by rubbing a stiff metal brush across the surface of jewelry, slightly reducing the metal's reflectivity.
BRUTING is the first step in cutting a diamond. Bruting involves shaping the girdle, which gives the stone its basic shape.
BUBBLES are spherical or tear-shaped bubbles of gas captured in glass stones. Bubbles can also be found in resins such as plastics and amber, and much less-frequently in minerals such as quartz, emerald and topaz. Evidence of bubbles is one way to determine if a gem is glass or a gemstone.
BUGLE BEAD is a long, thin tube-shaped glass bead.
BULLA is an ancient Roman pendant that consists of a rounded container holding an amulet or good luck charm. The bulla is worn on a strap around the neck.
Crystal Enchantments: A Complete Guide to Stones and Their Magical Properties
