DAMASCENE  A process of inlay where a soft metal is placed with an harder metal

DELFT JEWELRY  Classic blue and white earthenware usually framed in silver

DENIM LAPIS  A low grade of lapis lazuli

DRESS CLIP  A brooch that uses a hinged clip or two-pronged pin to fasten it to clothing

EDWARDIAN  1901-1910; also called Belle Epoque Period.  Jewelry is delicate, elegant and elaborate; pearls, diamonds and filigree are common

EMAIL  French word meaning enamel

EMBOSSED  A method of surface decoration in which a design is raised slightly above the surface; also called chasing

ENAMEL  Generic term for a glassy substance of powdered colored glass, fused onto metal using heat.  Types of enamel include cloisonne', champleve', guilloche, plique a jour

ENGRAVED  A method of decoration in which a design is etched into the surface with a sharp tool

ETCHED  A process which produces design through the use of acids

ETRUSCAN  Jewelry characterized by intricate designs often in layers of filigree and granulation

FAUX  Fake, false, imitation

FAUX PEARLS  Glass or plastic beads coated to resemble pearls

FEDE  Design motif of two clasped hands

FIBULA  Type of clasp that closes like a safety pin

FIGA  Design motif of clenched fist with thumb between second and middle finger

FILIGREE  Metals twisted into patterns, often open, and soldered onto the base

FINDINGS  The hardware or materials used to assemble the jewelry, such as bails, jump rings and clasps

FOB  A short chain or ribbon that attaches to a pocket watch; it frequently has a decorative medallion or charm attached at one end which it also called a fob

FOIL  Thin sheet of bright metal behind glass or crystal

FRUIT SALAD  Costume jewelry made with colorful stones usually molded from glass or plastic

FUR CLIP  Large brooch with spring clasp and metal teeth; used to hold a fur stole together; larger than a dress clip

GERMAN SILVER  Also called Nickel Silver and gunmetal; there is no silver in German silver.  It was invented as a silver substitute

GILT  Process of applying color (usually gold) to a base metal

GIRANDOLE  Style of jewelry with three drops hanging from a larger piece, often a bow

GOBBO  Good luck design icon in the shape of a hunchback

GOLD  Precious metal which is soft in its gold form
24k  100% (also called 1000)
18k  75% gold (also called 750)
15k  62.5% gold (also called 625)
14k  58.3% gold (also called 583)
12k  50% gold (also called 500)
10k  41.7% gold (also called 417)
9k  37.5% gold (also called 375)

GOLD FILLED  Thin layer of gold applied to the outside of a base metal

GOLDSTONE  A glittery stone that has lots of goldtone particles in it

GRANULATION  A method of decorating metal with tiny metal spheres which are soldered to the surface without being seen

GUILLOCHE  A type of translucent enamel which is applied over an engraved metal surface

GUN METAL  See German silver

GUTTA PERCHA  Black resin used in jewelry making during the beginning of the 20th century

GYPSY SETTING  See Bezel setting

HAIRWORK  Decorative jewelry made with woven human hair.  Mourning jewelry is made from the hair of a deceased love one

HALLMARK  Stamped on the jewelry, it gives information such as maker, metal content, date of creation.  Technically the manufacturer's symbol is the trademark, not the hallmark

HAMMERED  Formed or shaped with a jeweler's hammer often resulting in an uneven finish

HOBO COIN  Altered coins whereby the central image is modified or completely changed

INLAY  Stones or glass embedded into metal in such a way that the surface is level

INTAGLIO  A method of decoration in which a design is cut into the obverse of the surface

ITALIAN HORN  Good luck symbol

IVORY  Whiter than bone; made from elephant and walrus tusks.  The grain lines are often cross-hatched traveling in two directions