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Home » Glossary |
Glossary
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- African Amethyst
- Amethyst is the best known and most valuable form of quartz. Color varies from light to dark purple; translucent semiprecious gemstone.
- Amber
- Amber is an organic gem, formed from the hardened, fossilized sap or resin of ancient pine trees over 50 million years old. Amber often contains bubbles and other inclusions such as small plant or animal fossils. Though its transparency and color varies, the most common colors are orange, yellow and brown.
- Aventurine
- Aventurine is a quartzite gemstone composed of interlocking grains of quartz and small mica crystals.
- Cabochon
- Highly polished, convex-cut, un-faceted gem.
- Caring for your cabs
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Natural and synthetic stones need TLC. Here are some tips for extending the life and luster of your stones:
- Clean stones with hot, soapy water.
- Dry stones thoroughly with a soft cloth.
- Some stones may be cleaned in an ultrasonic cleaner; some can be permanently damaged if cleaned in one (amber, coral, lapis, opal, pearl and turquoise for example).
- Rub gems with a smooth, soft cloth to remove fingerprints and keep them shiny.
- Store stones away from intense heat and light.
- Carnelian
- Carnelian is a type of chalcedony that is that is a translucent reddish-orange or reddish-brown (pronounced cal-sid-nee). Its color comes from its iron oxide content and stones mat present a uniform color or may be faintly banded.
- Citrine
- Citrine, although often mistakenly referred to as topaz, belongs to the quartz family. The yellow color of this gemstone is due to the presence of iron.
- Dalmatian Jasper
- This opaque light brown jasper from Utah is spotted with brown and black like those famous “fire-station” dogs.
- Emerald:
- Emerald, a green variety of beryl, exhibits traces of chromium and vanadium in its crystalline structure.
- Fossil beads
- Fossil beads are formed by the skeletons of countless tiny sea creatures and have been specially cut to reveal unusual and interesting surface features.
- Garnet
- Garnets are rich in iron and chromium, which give them their color. Though garnets exhibit few inclusions, those inclusions that are present tend to be rounded, seedlike crystals with irregular edges.
- The difference between gold-filled and gold-plated
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Gold-filled - A layer of gold is permanently bonded to a brass core by applying heat and pressure.
Gold-plated - A microscopic layer of gold is applied to a base metal.
The value of gold-filled is greater than gold-plated because gold-filled has an actual layer of gold permanently bonded, while gold-plated has a microscopic film of gold applied which can easily wear off.
- Howlite
- Natural Howlite is snow-white with fine gray veins. Howlite is porous and is often dyed to create an endless variety of colors. Howlite has traditionally been used to enhance memory.
- Lapis
- A vivid blue, violet-blue, or greenish-blue semiprecious gemstone composed mainly of lazurite, pyrite and calcite.
- Malachite
- This copper mineral features a characteristic banding pattern in a rich green color.
- Moonstone
- Moonstone is one of the best known and most valuable varieties of feldspar. This translucent gemstone features an iridescent sheen called “adularescence.”
- Onyx, black
- Onyx is a type of opaque chalcedony that comes in various colors. Black onyx continues to be the most popular stones on the market today. Although it occurs naturally in black, it is generally dyed to achieve a more uniform color.
- Peridot
- Peridot is the gem form of the mineral olivine. Its yellowish to vibrant green color is caused by iron.
- Rose Quartz
- Natural color rose, like the delicate pink rose for which it is named, is associated with love the world over. Translucent rose quartz is just one of the many varieties of quartz. The creamy pink color comes from titanium and other inclusions.
- Sea Urchin beads
- Made from the spines of the sea urchin, these natural color beads are each a one-of-a-kind treasure.
- Tiger’s eye
- Tiger’s eye is a variety of quartz with fine, similarly oriented fibrous inclusions. When properly cut into a cabochon, a chatoyant (changeable luster) effect is produced.
- Terbium Glass
- These stunning glass teardrops are made with a rare earth element known as terbium. When added to glass, terbium forms a brilliant, gleaming crystal-like product similar to fully leaded crystal.
- Topaz, Blue
- This fashionable variety of topaz is also known as London blue topaz. Color varies from light to deep blue.
- Turquoise
- Turquoise is a soft, opaque gemstone that takes a good polish. Its sky blue color comes from the presence of copper, and iron often provides some green tones. Turquoise sometimes has a rock matrix and varying shades of gray, brown or black veining due to inclusions or oxide stains. The matrix and veining make each piece quite interesting and unique.
- Unakite
- A blend of greens and reds reminiscent of the colors of autumn. Unakite is named for the place from which it was discovered in South Carolina, U.S.A.
- Vermeil
- Vermeil is Sterling silver heavily electroplated with 22kt yellow gold. Gorgeous!
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