PARURE  A full set of matching pieces, such as necklace, brooch, earrings and ring; Demi-Paure is two or three matching pieces

PASTE  Glass that has been cut and faceted to resemble gemstones, often diamonds

PATINA  Color change on the surface of a metal due to age and exposure to air

PAVE'  Stones set closely together so little or no backing is seen

PEARL  Spheroid formed around a grain of sand in a mollusk

PEBBLE JEWELRY  Scottish jewelry set with multi-colored agate usually in silver

PEWTER  Metal alloy which can be polished to resemble silver

PIETRA DURA  A technique of inlaying semi-precious stones into a design often naturalistic

PIERCED  Jewelry in which patterns are cut out of the metal

PINCHBECK  Imitation gold; popular before gold fill

PIQUE  A combination of tortoiseshell and precious metals

PLIQUE A JOUR  A form of enamel without backing; can resemble stained glass in its translucency

POINT  One hundredth of a carat

PORCELAIN  Clay fired in a kiln then decorated and glazed

POT METAL  Alloy of metals used to make inexpensive and costume jewelry; easily identified due to its dull finish.  Also called Base Metal

POURED GLASS  Glass suspended within a metal frame

PRONG SET   Also called Claw Set, a method of holding gemstones in place with prongs

REGARD JEWELRY  Usually rings set with multi-colored stones the first letters of which spell out REGARD (or Dear, or Dearest)

REPOUSSE  Decorative element in which designs are hammered into the reverse of the metal

RETRO  1950-70s approximately

REVERSE  Back side of jewelry or coin

RHINESTONE  Reflective glass cut and faceted to resemble precious and semi-precious stones

RHODIUM  White precious metal often used to coat jewelry giving it the look of platinum; keeps its shine

ROLLED GOLD  Process of laminating gold to a lesser metal; similar to gold filled

ROSE CUT  A flat stone with 24 triangular facets meeting at the top in a point

RUSSIAN GOLD  Matte, antique gold appearance

SATIN FINISH  Semi-glossy finish, between matte and brilliant

SAUTOIR  Out-of-date term for very long necklace, usually hangs below the waist

SCARAB  Beetle motif often seen in Egyptian jewelry

SCATTER PINS  Small pins designed to be worn in a group or cluster

SEED PEARLS  Round pearls measuring less than 2mm in diameter

SEVIGENE  Bow pin

SIAM OR SIAMESE JEWELRY  Usually Niello and Sterling Silver with images of mythological and/or literary characters from Sanskrit tradition; See photo under Niello

SILVER  Includes several grades
980 - 98% silver
935 - 93.5% silver
925 - 92.5% silver (also called sterling or SS)
Other grades of silver include 900, 850, 835, 833 and 800

SIMICHROME  Trademark name for a paste product used to test Bakelite

SLIDE  Charm strung from the center of a double chain

STANHOPE  An optical devise which magnifies photos placed inside jewelry and other small objects

STAUROLITE  Crystal often found twinned in nature and resembling a cross

SWEATER GUARD or SWEATER CLIPS  Pair of clipped pins connected by a chain

TAXCO  Small area in Mexico where much of the most beautiful and expensive silver jewelry is made

TORSADE  Necklace of multiple strands twisted together

TREMBLER  Moving jewelry such as insect pin with fluttering wings; usually created with springs.  Also called Nodder and Bobbler

VERMEIL  Gilded metal often gold wash or silver

VICTORIAN  1837-1901;   A period of jewelry making which includes many styles and themes

VINAIGRETTE  Decorative bottle used as a charm or locket; often contains fabric or cotton soaked with fragrance or salts

VINTAGE  1930-1970