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GLOSSARY
Gemstone
A precious or semiprecious stone that may be used as a jewel when cut and
polished. Most gemstones are minerals that have formed in a variety of
environments within the Earth. Ideally, gemstones should be hard and
unaffected by the temperatures, pressures, abrasive dusts and chemicals
encountered in our everyday lives.
Precious
Of high cost or worth; valuable.
Semi-Precious
Half, partial or partially valuable. Resembling or having some of the
characteristics of precious.
Organic
Plants and animals are the sources of the more fragile ‘organic’ gems that
have been used for ornaments since ancient times. Jet and Amber are the
fossilized wood and resin of extinct trees, while pearls shells and most corals
are calcium carbonate structures formed by aquatic animals. Ivories are the
tusks and teeth of land and sea mammals.
Artificial Gems
Man-made; produced rather than natural. Made in imitation of something
natural; simulated. Not genuine or natural. The demand for rare gemstones
has led to the production of countless imitations, some more successful than
others.
These copies fall into three categories:
1. Gems that look like the real thing , but have a different composition;
2. Synthetic gems, which are made in laboratories and are almost exact copies
of natural gems;
3. Composite stones, which consist of several parts cemented together.
Antique Finish
Gives the appearance of an antique. Usually a black Indian ink is applied to
the jewelry, when it dries the high spots are wiped off with a solvent leaving the
shinny metal exposed, giving the jewelry an old appearance.
Enameling
A decorative finish which usually has the appearance of candy apple. It is fired
in a kiln. The enamel finish comes in an array of bright colors.