Glossary
Glossary
Alexandrite: Alexandrite is a variety of chrysoberyl. Named after Czar Alexander II, it is a color change stone that is green in daylight and light red in artificial light. Mined in Sri Lanka, Rhodesia, Brazil, Burma, Tasmania and the U.S.
Alloy: An alloy is the homogeneous mixture or solid solution of two or more metallic elements or metallic and nonmetallic elements. The alloy is usually achieved by bringing the metals to a molten state under high temperatures and fusing or dissolving them into one solid solution. In jewelry, combining different metals is commonly done to augment the color, hardness and/or luster of the resulting alloy.
Amethyst: the purple variety of quartz. To be called amethyst, it must be the purple form of quartz although it can display a wide range of purple shades including purple, lilac and mauve. The most valuable amethyst is a deep purple.
Aquamarine: The aquamarine is a member of the beryl family and ranges in color from a pale almost colorless blue to blue-green to pure blue. Some of these stones are heated to enhance their color and change a light colored stone to pure blue. Usually faceted, aquamarines are also cut as cabochons and may then exhibit asterism. Legend tells of sailors who wore aquamarines to keep them safe and to prevent seasickness. The most valuable aquamarines come from Brazil.
Birthstone: A rock or gemstone associated with the calendar month of birth or a sign of the Zodiac. The origin of birthstones is said to be based on the Breastplate of Aaron which is described in Exodus 28, 15-30. Instructions for fabricating the Breastplate called for the twelve stones of the Twelve Tribes of Israel to be set in four rows. These gemstones corresponded to the zodiac signs of the time.
Birthstones: Birthstones are gemstones that are traditionally associated with the twelve birth months of the year. Birthstones are available as genuine or synthetic gemstones. Genuine gemstones are rarer and more expensive than synthetic gemstones. Diamonds, Sapphires, Emeralds and Rubies are offered as an additional upgrade and at an additional charge.
Carat (ct.): The standard measure of weight used for gemstones. One carat weighs 0.2 gram (1/5 of a gram or 0.0007 ounce). A hundredth of a carat is called a point. Note that karat is the term used to describe the fineness of gold.
Couples Ring: A Couples Ring is a cherished keepsake between sweethearts; these rings have 2 stones representing the birthmonth of the sweetheart or parents.
Cubic Zirconia: A man-made, synthetic stone used as an inexpensive alternative to a diamond or other colored stone. Note: Zircon is a natural gem which has no connection with cubic zirconia.
Daughter Ring: A Daughters Ring has 3 gemstones, with a predominant birthstone representing the daughter’s birthmonth. Two smaller birthstones represent the birthmonth of the Mother and Father.
Emerald: is the green member of the beryl family. Traces of chromium and vanadium in the crystalline structure are what produce the green color. These gemstones were mined by the Egyptian Pharaohs as early as 3000 B.C. and the ancient Incas and Aztecs of South America regarded them as holy. Today, the best and most valued, stones come from Colombia. Mohs hardness 7.5 – 8.
Family Jewelry: Family Jewelry can be a ring, necklace or bracelet, for a grandmother, mother, or daughter that is set with the birthstone of each family member some of which may be engraved with each family member’s name. All Family Jewelry products carry a theme surrounding families.
Gold: A precious metal that does not oxidize or tarnish as most other metals do. It has been used for over 6000 years in coins, jewelry and ornamental objects. Gold is very malleable and can be melted and cast into both small and large objects. It is also forged into very thin sheets called gold leaf and used to cover the surface of less valuable ornaments.
Grandmother Ring: This special ring features the gemstones of the Grandparent’s children and her children’s child or children. Alternatively, it can feature just the grandchild or grandchildren’s birthstones. Styles range from 5 to 12 gemstones.
Mother’s Ring: A Mothers Ring contains 3 or more gemstones; each of which represents the birthmonth of the Mother, Father, child or children.
Precious Gemstones: Diamond, ruby, sapphire, emerald and precious opal were once known as the precious gemstones. Other rocks and minerals used in jewelry were referred to as semiprecious or just rocks. Many people outside of the jewelry and gemstone industries still use these terms to differentiate between the stones. However, there has been a great debate among jewelers and gemologists for many many years. The debate revolves around the term “semi” and whether an ugly, flawed emerald or sapphire is actually more precious than a beautiful tourmaline, amber or lapis lazuli. The reasoning behind this debate is that the individual stone itself is the designator and calling a stone “semi” precious is a misnomer. Therefore, in recent years gemologists and jewelers have applied the term “gem” or “gemstone” to stones used in jewelry and only those who haven’t yet been educated about the difference in terms still use semi precious to refer to a stone.
Sterling Silver: Sterling is silver with a fineness of 925 parts per thousand or 92.5% silver and 75 parts per thousand or 7.5% copper. Copper is added to the alloy to increase the silver’s hardness.
White Gold: An alloy of gold made with nickel. Sometimes the jeweler also mixes palladium or zinc in the alloy. White gold has a brighter and whiter color than silver due to the nickel content.
Zircon: Zircons are very common minerals which occur naturally in clear, yellow, brown, orange and reddish-brown colors. Zircon is frequently heat treated to enhance or alter their color. Mohs scale: 6.5-7.5.
