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Guides and Charts
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Radiant Cut
The radiant cut sparkles with precisely 70 facets, just like a brilliant cut stone, but it is shaped like an emerald cut stone.
Refractive Index
The amount a beam of light bends as it enters a gemstone and then strikes a subsequent surface(s). The amount of refraction depends on the structure of the stone.
Rhodium
A member of the platinum group, rhodium is a shiny white metal that is highly reflective, durable, and expensive. It is often used as a hardening agent for platinum. In jewelry, it is plated on other metals to increase luster and eliminate tarnishing.
Rhodolite
Rhodolite is a variety of garnet. An intermediate stone between pyrope and almandine garnets, rhodolite exhibits a lovely rhododendron red color with a lively luster. On Mohs’ scale of hardness, rhodolite is 7-7.5. It has a vitreous luster and primary sources include Burma (Myanmar), China, Madagascar, Sri Lanka, South Africa, Tanzania, and the United States.
Rhodonite
This ornamental stone is translucent to opaque with a rose red color. It often resembles pink marble veined with black.
Ribbed
A ribbed design element is simply a ridged texture.
Ring Guard
A ring guard is a ring placed above another ring to keep it from slipping off.
Ring Size
This unit of measure is used to indicate the ring diameter necessary to properly fit a person’s finger.
Riviére
Sleek and alluring, the Rivière is a long necklace style covered with a single strand of gemstones, usually diamonds.
Rock Crystal
A colorless water-clear form of quartz, rock crystal was believed by some ancient Greeks to be ice that had hardened over time into stone.
Rolo Link Chain
This is a chain with thick ring/oval links.
Rope
This luxurious and sensual, 37” and above necklace style cascades down for a dramatic display of beauty.
Rose Finish
Rose finish gives the jewelry a rose gold appearance but with no actual gold content.
Rose Gold
Revealing a distinctive pink hue, this alloy contains gold mixed with copper.
Rubellite
Rubellite is a gemstone variety of the Tourmaline group. Valued for its ruby color, it exhibits a range of color from pink to red, sometimes with a violet tint. On Mohs’ scale of hardness, rubellite is 7-7.5. It has a vitreous luster on crystal surfaces and a greasy luster on fractures. Sources include Brazil (Minas Gerais, Paraida), Afghanistan, Australia, Burma (Myanmar), India, Madagascar, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, Nepal, Nigeria, Pakistan, Russia, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Sri Lanka, Tanzania, the United States (California, Maine), Zaire, Elba (Italy) and Switzerland (Tessin).
Ruby
Ruby is a gemstone in the Corundum family. It exhibits a range of red colors, and the most desired color is pigeon’s blood (pure red with a hint of blue). On Mohs’ scale of hardness, ruby is 9. It has a strong luster like diamonds and sources include Burma (Myanmar), Thailand, Sri Lanka, Tanzania, Afghanistan, Cambodia, Kenya, Madagascar, and Vietnam.
Rutilated Quartz
Quartz containing needle-like inclusions of rutile rods is known as rutilated quartz. |
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Safety Catch
Used on a clasp, this catch prevents the clasp from becoming undone or from extending beyond the edge of the brooch.
Sapphire
Sapphire is a gemstone in the Corundum family. Known for its beautiful “cornflower blue” color, sapphire also comes in a wide range of colors. On Mohs’ scale of hardness, ruby is 9. It has a strong luster like diamonds and sources include Australia, Burma (Myanmar), Sri Lanka, Thailand, Montana, Brazil, Cambodia, China, Kenya, Madagascar, Malawi, Nigeria, Pakistan, Rwanda, Tanzania, Vietnam and Zimbabwe.
Satin Finish
A satin finish appears textured and is made from tiny parallel lines scratched onto the metal surface.
Saturation
Saturation is one of three characteristics used to describe the appearance of color. Saturation (also known as intensity) refers to the brightness or vividness of a color. (See also hue and tone.)
Scalloped
An adorned edge with a series of curved projections.
Scapolite
Scapolite is a distinctly fibrous gemstone. It is usually found in white, yellow, pink and violet hues. On Mohs’ scale of hardness, scapolite is 5-5.6. It has a vitreous luster and sources include Burma (Myanmar), Brazil, Canada, Madagascar and Tanzania.
Semi-Mount/Semi-Mounting
Perfect for setting your own stone, a semi-mount is a piece of jewelry that has already been partially finished with gemstones and/or engraving with the exception of the center stone.
Serpentine Chain
Two sets of small, flat “s” links tightly bound to one another.
Setting
A setting is simply a jewelry piece that holds stones in place.
Shank
On a ring, the shank is the part that circles the finger.
Shell
Shell is originally the external skeleton for many shellfish but it also makes an appealing ornament in jewelry.
Slide Stone
Side stones are set around or beside the center stone.
Signature
A style or design element common to all the pieces of a particular designer.
Signet Ring
Also known as a seal ring, the signet ring traditionally bears the crest or some other family insignia on the table of the ring.
Silver
A versatile metal, silver is used in multiple applications including jewelry. It is found in ore and is often associated with other metals. Second only to gold, silver is valued for its malleability and ductility as well as its high luster. Pure silver is often too soft for use in jewelry so it is often used with other alloys.
Simulant
The practice of simulating costly and precious objects with inexpensive substitutes has been traced back over 6,000 years ago in ancient Egypt. This practice continues today in simulating precious gemstones.
Singapore Chain
This uniquely designed chain is composed of flat diamond shaped links that are interwoven, creating a stunning appearance.
Single Cut Diamond
This precursor to the modern brilliant cut emerged in the mid 1600s. Moving closer to a rounded shape, the cut consists of 8 facets surrounding the table and 8 facets below the girdle. It has a total of 18 facets. The single cut is often found on side stones or smaller stones.
Slide
A slide is an ornament that hangs from a chain or rope.
Slide Bracelet
This is a bracelet consisting of two strands that are connected to a main clasp. The bracelet is designed so that strands are threaded through slide charms. Each slide charm has horizontal holes through which the strands of the bracelet are threaded. The antique style of slide bracelet contains more of a gold look incorporating the use of precious and semi-precious stones. The contemporary style of slide bracelet is based more upon lettering and personalization of the charms.
Slight Inclusions
Inclusions in gemstones that can be seen by the unaided eye.
Smoky Quartz
Smoky Quartz is a variety of the Quartz family. It exhibits brown to black and smoky gray colors. On Mohs’ scale of hardness, smoky quartz is 7. Sources include Brazil, Madagascar, Russia, Scotland, Switzerland and the Ukraine.
Snake Chain
A snake chain uses metal rings connected side by side instead of linked, creating a bendable, textured chain.
Snap Bar Closure
The hinged bar on a lever back or omega back earrings.
Sodalite
A component of Lapis Lazuli, ornamental sodalite has a rich blue color and is sometimes mistaken for lapis.
Solitaire
Often found in rings or pendants, a solitaire focuses attention on a single stone in a simple setting.
South Sea
Sometimes referred as the “queen” of cultured pearls, South Sea pearls are unusually large regal pearls primarily from Australia, Indonesia and the Philippines.
Sparkle
Reflecting light from many different points.
Spessartite
Spessartite is a variety of garnet. The color ranges from a yellowish-orange to an intense aurora red to a deep-orangey color. On Mohs’ scale of hardness, spessartite is 7-7.5. It has a vitreous luster and primary sources include Burma (Myanmar), China, Madagascar, Sri Lanka, South Africa, Tanzania, and the United States.
Sphene
Sphene is a brilliant transparent gemstone. It exhibits a range of colors from yellow to brown to green and even reddish. On Mohs’ scale of hardness, sphene is 5-5.5. It has an adamantine luster and sources include Burma (Myanmar), Brazil, Mexico, Austria, Sri Lanka and the United States.
Spherical
A round shape.
Spinel
Spinel is the classification of a large group of related minerals that has a small group of gemstone quality stones. Spinel exhibits a wide range of colors including red, pink, orange, yellow, brown, blue, violet, purple, green and black. On Mohs’ scale of hardness, spinel is 8. Sources include Burma (Myanmar), Cambodia, Sri Lanka, Afghanistan, Australia, Brazil, Madagascar, Nepal, Nigeria, Tadzhikistan, Tanzania, Thailand and the United States (New Jersey).
Spring Ring Clasp
A common clasp, the spring ring sits on one end of chain. It is a circle with a small spring tension knob that can open a gap in the circle, allowing the circle to hook onto the other end of the chain.
Square Cut
See stone cuts.
Square Setting
A setting with four prongs that hold a stone.
Stack Ring
Rings designed to be stacked in multiples on one finger.
Stainless Steel
An iron based steel alloy, stainless steel normally contains less than 20% chromium. While it is hard to work with, stainless steel is extremely durable: it resists corrosion and can hold a long-lasting polish.
Stamped/Stamping
In the creation of some jewelry pieces, the metal will be cut or embossed with a die or punch. This is known as stamping.
Star Sapphire
Star Sapphires exhibit a natural asterism and must be cut cabochon in order to display this unique effect.
Step Cut
Also known as a trap cut, the step cut has a large facet surrounded by rectangular facets. Smaller step cut stones are often used as accents and are called baguettes.
Sterling Silver
A silver alloy consisting of .925 parts pure silver and .725 parts pure copper, sterling silver is often used for jewelry and flatware. Named after the British currency known as “sterling,” sterling silver was once the standard for currency prior to 1920.
Stippled Finish
A series of dots or short lines created by a pointed graver is known as a stippled finish.
Straight Bar Closure
On a straight bar closure, a hinged bar slips into a catch, securing a pin.
Stud
In classic simplicity, this earring has a ball or stone attached to a straight post with no dangling parts.
Sunstone
Sunstone, also known as aventurine feldspar, is a gemstone in the Feldspar group. It normally has a rich golden or reddish-brown color with sparkling red and brown (and sometimes green or blue) inclusions. On Mohs’ scale of hardness, it is 6-6.5. Sources include India, Canada, Madagascar, Norway, Russia (Siberia), and the United States.
Surface Markings
Imperfections on the surface of a pearl are known as surface markings.
Symmetry
Symmetry refers to the alignment of facets on the surface of the stone. There are three indicators of symmetry on a gemstone: the alignment of facets with one another, from side to side, and from top to bottom. Proper alignment will affect the reflection and refraction of light through the stone, thus affecting its overall beauty.
Synthetic
Synthetic refers to a man-made material with a natural counterpart. The synthetic crystal replicates the chemical and physical properties of the natural crystal with little or no variation. |
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