Radiant Cut:
A type of cut usually found in diamonds.

Rhodium:
Rhodium is a metal that is part of the platinum family. Silver, gold, and even base metals are often Rhodium plated to give them the white, shiny look associated with platinum. Genuine rhodium in raw state is liquid. Although in the platinum family of metals, it is not the same as platinum which is a solid precious metal.

Rhodium Plating:
Rhodium is used to plate white gold or yellow gold or sterling, because it is harder and more reflective and white in color. Rhodium plating gives a bright, shiny, long-lasting silver-colored finish to a piece. With Rhodium plating you can achieve the high white luster of Platinum. For people who are allergic to 10k or 14k gold jewelry, and cannot afford the high price associated with Platinum, Rhodium plating helps minimizing allergic effects and is a good alternative. It is noted that any kind of plating will eventually wear off, requiring additional plating to maintain the desired coloring effect.

Sapphire Crystal:
The see through "glass" covering the "face" of the watch. Actually made of synthetic sapphire crystal and not mineral glass. Synthetic sapphire crystal is much more scratch resistant than mineral crystal.

Satin Finish:
A matte finish made by sandblasting, brushing with a stiff wire brush or chemically altering a high shine surface. A satin finish has a soft, pearl-like luster instead of a bright polish.

Scintillation:
Sparkle. The tiny flashes of light noticeable in a diamond when the observer moves his/her head.

Screw Back Earring:
A vise-like clamp that holds a non-pierced earring on the ear by a screw that can be tightened against the earlobe.

Semi-Precious Stones:
Natural stones including amethyst, aventurine, carnelian, garnet, opal, etc.

Semi-Mount:
A type of setting in which the ring is complete, except for the main stone, which is selected and priced separately.

Shape:
There are eight common diamond shapes. They are round, marquise, pear, oval, heart, princess/radiant, emerald, and trillion. The round is the most popular (the rest are called "fancy-shaped" ). There are also other shapes created and sold by manufacturers.

Shank:
Part of the ring that circles the finger and to which the setting is attached.

Shoulder:
The part of the ring that extends from the shank to the center of the setting.

Signet:
A ring with a flat table or face on which there is an inscription of a coat of arms, family crest or some other type of insignia or monogram.

Silver Finish:
Jewelry finished to have the look of silver.

Snap-Bar Closure Earring:
A straight, hinged bar that lifts up and down in order to secure or release an earring.

Solitaire:
A single stone mounted in a simple setting.

Specific Gravity:
The ratio of a gem's density to the density of water. For example the specific gravity of diamond is 2.52 whereas that of cubic zirconium is 5.80 and that of emerald is 2.72. Therefore it is noted that diamonds usually have different measurements than other gemstones having the same weight. For example, because of its high density (and high specific gravity), a 1ct. cubic zirconium is considerably smaller than a 1ct. diamond. On the other hand, a 1ct. emerald, due to its lower density (and lower specific gravity), is bigger than a 1ct. diamond.

Stack Ring:
Rings that are designed to be worn two or more at a time on the same finger.

Stainless Steel:
Steel containing chromium that is highly resistant to corrosion, stain, and rust.

Stamping:
Cutting or embossing a sheet of metal with a punch or a die.

Step-Cut:
A gem cut with a varying number of sloping parallel rows of four-sided facets that give the impression of steps.

Sterling Silver:
Silver that is at least 925 parts pure with 75 parts of another metal, usually copper.

Stud Earring:
A single stone or metal ball on a straight post worn in pierced ears.

Symmetry:
Labs grade symmetry from poor to excellent, based on the diamond's proportions and the relation of one facet to another (meet-point faceting).

Synthetic:
Stones that have all the physical, chemical and optical properties of a natural stone, but they have been created by Man. These stones are also called "created", "lab grown", or "man-made".

Table:
The large, flat, top facet of a gemstone. It has an octagonal shape on a round brilliant diamond. Research indicates that it is better to select a round brilliant cut diamond that has a table percentage between 53 and 62%. Diamonds with table percentages between this range deliver greater brilliance and are considered to have very fine-ideal cut. Diamonds with table sizes under 53% create slightly greater dispersion of light which results in the emission of slightly more spectral colors. Diamonds with table sizes that are 59%, or slightly higher, offer the viewer greater amount of brilliance, or white light returning to the eye. When table size is lower, dispersion increases and brilliance is lowered. When table size is higher, brilliance increases and dispersion is lowered. Because beauty is determined by the eye of the beholder, we recommend staying with a cut that most appeals to you within budget. Research indicates, and gemologists agree that diamonds with table measurements under 62% have superior brilliance and dispersion. Diamonds in these ranges usually require that the diamond cutter cut away more diamond weight in order to achieve this higher quality of brilliance.

Tennis Bracelet:
A flexible bracelet made up of evenly matched stones.

Tension Setting:
In tension setting, The center stone appears to be suspended in mid-air. This way, light refraction and therefore brilliance is indeed maximized.

Tiffany Setting:
The high pronged setting most common today for large stones such as a diamond solitaire, this setting was introduced by Tiffany & Co. in 1886.

Tolkowsky:
The modern round brilliant was developed by Marcel Tolkowsky, a family member of Belgian diamond cutters in 1919. Tolkowsky published Diamond Design, the first recorded analysis of round brilliant diamond proportions. This work was based on theories of light behavior and his opinion of proportions resulted in the best balance of brilliance and dispersion. These calculations formed the basis for which the American Gem Society uses in grading diamonds for proportions. Marcel Tolkowsky died in New York at the age of 92, in February 1991. In 1919 he wrote a Masters thesis on the proportions for round brilliant cut diamonds. This is the basis for what we now call the "Tolkowsky Ideal Cut" .

Toughness :
Toughness is a measure of how easily a stone can be chipped or broken. It's not hardness, since as we know, diamond is the hardest natural stone but it can be chipped and broken. Diamond is not the toughest stone, but its toughness is rated as being quite good, better than most stones. Ask any diamond setter, who will tell you that he/she has broken or chipped any number of them over the years. But for the most part, it's not a fragile stone either. Breaking or chipping a diamond is not all that easy. In some directions through the stone it's very hard to do and in others easier. Diamond has four cleavage planes through which it can break or split more easily, if hit just right. But usually, when a diamond is broken or chipped, there are other circumstances involved, such as an unusually thin girdle, or the broken part being the point of a marquise or pear shape, or the crown or pavilion angles of the stone being shallower than they should be. A well-cut diamond is actually very hard to break.

Trilliant cut:
The name used by the Royal Asscher Diamond Company of Amsterdam for a triangular brilliant cut with curved sides and a high crown.

Vermeil:
(Vehr-MAY) Silver with gold plating.

Victorian:
The designation given to the period from approximately 1837 when Victoria became Queen of England until 1901 when she died. This long period is divided into early (approx. 1840-1860), mid (approx. 1860 - 1880) and late (approx. 1880-1900) since it covers a wide span of time, and a number of distinctive design trends. This period was preceded by the Georgian period, and succeeded by the Edwardian period after Victoria died in 1901, and her son Edward became king.

Water Resistant:
FTC standards require that a watch case be properly sealed and admit no moisture when it is tested under certain prescribed conditions.

White gold:
An alloy of gold, nickel, copper and zinc.

Yellow Gold:
The most popular gold alloy. An alloy of gold, silver, copper and zinc.

Y-necklace:
This style gets its name from its shape, which features its own delicate dangle that forms a Y around the neck. Usually 16 to 18 inches in length.