Illusion-Set: Invisible-Set A setting technique with no visible prongs or supports. The gemstones are grooved so that a thin wire framework holds the gemstones in place. A setting technique patented by Van Cleef & Arpels in 1933 (Mystery Setting) in which a diamond is placed in a colletion of reflective, highly-polished metal so that it appears to be part of the gemstone in order to enhance the perceived size of the diamond.
Inlay: The insertion of pieces of gemstones, wood, ivory, etc. into slots created on a surface for embellishment.
Invisible-Set: A setting technique with no visible prongs or supports. The gemstones are grooved so that a thin wire framework holds the gemstones in place.
Jump Ring: A wire ring of any size, usually round or oval in shape, used for attaching jewelry parts.
Karat: A unit of measure of the purity of gold. Pure gold equals 24 karats.
Key Ring: A device for holding keys together usually consisting of a metal ring. Kinetic Jewelry designed to move, rotate, or revolve. Moving parts are trapped and cannot usually be removed from the main jewelry object.
Kit: An assortment of products, often components, sold together, usually for back of store use, often at a lower price than if the items were purchased individually.
Lapel Pin: A small piece of jewelry with a post-type pin affixed to it with a clutch mechanism to secure it. May also be assembled with a small brooch-type, hinged pin assembly. A lapel pin is usually smaller than an inch in length.
Lariat Necklace: A long cord-like necklace without a clasp, usually looped into a knot, thus allowing the ends to hang down in the front.
Lever Back: A spring-loaded closure on the back of some earrings. When in the closed position, it secures the earring to the earlobe.
Line Bracelet: A flexible bracelet that can be unclasped and laid out to form a “line.” The links are usually joined by hinge pins. A tennis bracelet is a type of line bracelet.
Link Bracelet: A bracelet made from connecting or linking various, sometimes similar, components together. The links are usually interlocking, eliminating the need for hinge pins.
Locket: A small, decorative case with one or more spaces to hold a picture or memento, designed to be suspended from a chain. May also be incorporated into the design of a ring or bracelet.
Looking Down/Top View: A way to describe looking at a ring from the top down or bird’s eye view.
Medical ID: Jewelry Designed with a medically identifiable emblem and engraved to inform others of medical issues such as drug and food allergies and other medical conditions.
Melee: Classification used in the sorting of diamonds weighing less than .17 carats or 17 points each.
Micro Pavé: A highly precise setting technique similar to pavé but using extremely small gemstones.
Milgrain: Having the edge shaped into fine beading.
Minimalist: A term used to describe a movement in design and architecture around the 1960s and 1970s, where the subject is reduced as much as possible to only its necessary elements.
Moissanite: A rare mineral discovered by Henri Moissan, later synthesized in the laboratory and used as a high-quality diamond substitute.
Money Clip: A folded clip used to keep folded cash and/or credit cards in lieu of a wallet.
Mounting: A jewelry item that has stone settings, but in which no stones have been set. It requires no further assembly work; the exception being an unset semi-mount mounting which requires a head to be attached.
Neckwear: A piece of jewelry that may be a string of gemstones, beads, jewels, etc., or a metal chain worn around the neck.
Niobium: A silver-gray contemporary metal.
Notched Band: See Shadow Band.
Nugget Ring/Jewelry: Jewelry designed to mimic and exaggerate the look of a native lump of precious metal, usually yellow gold.
Omega Clip: A wire attached and hinged on the back of an earring and used as a mechanism to hold the earring in place.
Openwork: See Pierced.
Organic: A design style using freeflowing curves and surfaces similar to those from nature such as in leaves, vines, etc.
Packages/Kits: See Selling Systems.
Patina: Discoloration that forms naturally over time on metals such as silver and bronze. Patinas may also be introduced artificially through certain chemicals for aesthetic value.
Pavé: A field of bead-set gemstones closely set, usually in rows, whereby the entire surface of the jewelry is covered or pavéd.
Pavilion: The lower part of a cut gemstone below the girdle.
Pearl Enhancer: A pendant with a hinged, clasp-type bail that allows it to be attached to a pearl or bead necklace, or any necklace that doesn’t allow a pendant to be slid onto it.
Peg Head: A setting with a peg attached to it that can be easily attached to a jewelry item by inserting the peg into a drilled hole. Peg heads are commonly used in semi-mount engagement rings.
Pendant: An adornment designed to be suspended from a necklace.
Pendant Enhancer: A pendant designed so that another pendant, usually a solitaire, can be suspended inside of it.
Pennyweight: Pennyweight is a common weight unit of measure used in the valuation and measurement of precious metals. One pennyweight equals 1⁄20 of a ounce (troy). See DWT.
Pierced: In jewelry it refers to perforated or openwork designs with regular patterns of openings and holes.
Pin: Any type of jewelry that is fastened to clothing using a sharp, pointed post and a catch or clasp. May be a brooch, lapel pin, or tie tack.
Pin Assembly: Jewelry findings used to secure a pin to the wearer. This assembly is comprised of a pin-stem and pin-catch.
Pin-Catch: The securing mechanism for a pin-stem.
Pin Stem: A sharply-pointed pin on a hinge that is suitable for piercing fabric or clothing. It is secured with a pin-catch.
Platinum: A heavy, non-corrosive white metal with high tensile strength which dulls as it is worn but holds its detail for many years, giving it heirloom characteristics.
Plique-à-Jour: An enameling technique by which the design is outlined with metal and filled in with colored enamels, but with no backing so that the effect is similar to a stained glass window.
Precious Metals: Metals that are rare and have high economic value. Gold, silver, platinum, and palladium.
Precious Gemstone: The group of gemstones consisting of diamonds, rubies, sapphires and emeralds.
Primary Metal: The metal alloy that, when describing a two-tone item, makes up the majority of the weight of the jewelry item. See Secondary Metal.
Profile: A profile is a cross sectional view. Flat inside round, comfort-fit, inside round, flat, knife-edge, etc., are examples of band profiles.
Promise Ring: A ring worn to show commitment to a monogamous relationship, usually set with one or more diamond melee.
Prong-Set: A setting technique in which a gemstone is held in place by metal projections or tines, called prongs.
Prototype: An example of a piece of jewelry created from inexpensive, non-precious materials.
Puzzle Ring: Several rings that fit together to create a single ring.