Jewelry Lexicon
These terms provide a basic overview of jewelry production. Keep in mind that the field of jewelry production is vast and constantly evolving, with new techniques and materials being introduced regularly.
Adornment
The act of enhancing one's appearance through the use of jewelry. It involves the design, manufacturing, and finishing of various types of jewelry pieces.
Casting
A jewelry production process where molten metal is poured into a mold to create a specific shape. This technique allows for intricate designs and mass production of jewelry items.
Hallmark
A mark or stamp on jewelry that indicates its purity and authenticity. Hallmarks are often used to denote the precious metal content, such as gold, silver, or platinum.
Bench Jeweler
A skilled craftsman or craftswoman who creates and repairs jewelry. They possess expertise in using various tools and techniques such as soldering, stone setting, and polishing.
Gemstone
A mineral, rock, or organic material that is cut and polished to be used in jewelry. Popular gemstones include diamonds, rubies, sapphires, emeralds, and pearls.
Lab-grown gemstones
are made in a laboratory using advanced technology. This allows for more consistent quality and color than what can be found in nature. Natural gemstones are created by nature over millions of years, subject to imperfections caused by the earth's formation processes. Lab grown gems are in fact are as real and genuine as natural ones, they are just man-made.
Lost-wax Casting
A technique in which a wax model is created, surrounded by a mold, and then heated to melt the wax, leaving a cavity. Molten metal is then poured into the cavity and the mold is removed, resulting in a custom jewelry piece.
Pave Setting
A technique in which small gemstones, such as diamonds, are set close together to cover the surface of a piece of jewelry. The stones are held in place by small prongs or beads, creating a continuous shimmering effect.
Soldering
The process of joining metal pieces together using a filler metal, known as solder. It requires the application of heat to melt the solder and create a strong bond between the metal components.
Metalsmith
A skilled artisan who works with metals to create unique jewelry pieces. They employ various techniques such as forging, soldering, and shaping to craft exquisite designs.
Polishing
The final step in jewelry production, where the surface of the metal is smoothed and buffed to achieve a high shine. Different techniques, including hand polishing and machine polishing, are used to enhance the overall appearance of the jewelry.
Stone Setting
The process of securing gemstones into jewelry, often using small prongs, beads, or channels. Setting techniques include prong setting, bezel setting, and channel setting.
Tigertail
Is a type of beading wire that is made up of multiple strands of stainless steel wire that are twisted together and coated with nylon. Tigertail is known for its strength and flexibility, making it a popular choice for creating durable and long-lasting jewelry pieces.
Venetian Bead
Venetian beads are a type of glass bead that originated in Venice, Italy. They are known for their intricate designs and vibrant colors, which are achieved through a process of layering and heating the glass. Venetian beads have been used for centuries in jewelry making and other decorative arts, and continue to be popular today for their unique beauty and craftsmanship.
Wax Carving
A method of creating jewelry by carving a wax model using specialized tools. The wax model is then used to create a mold for casting metal, resulting in a unique jewelry piece.
Titanium
100% hypoallergenic Titanium is a strong, lustrous, corrosion-resistant transition metal with a silver color. Titanium is used in a variety of applications, including aerospace, medical implants, and Jewelry production, due to its high strength-to-weight ratio and biocompatibility.
Vermeil
Vermeil is a type of jewelry that is made by coating sterling silver with a layer of gold. The gold layer must be at least 10 karats and at least 1.5 microns thick. Vermeil jewellery is a popular choice for those who want the look of gold without the high price tag.
Wire Wrapping
A jewelry-making technique where wire is bent, twisted, and wrapped around gemstones or beads to create intricate designs. This method allows for flexibility and customization in jewelry production.
