10k, or 10 karat, 10 parts gold and 14 parts other metals such as copper, nickel or silver.

14k, or 14 karat, 14 parts gold and 10 parts other metals such as copper, nickel or silver.

18k, or 18 karat, 18 parts gold and 6 parts other metals such as copper, nickel or silver.

24k, or 24 karat, 24 parts gold and is considered fine or pure gold.

Amazonite, a green variety of microcline, often used as a semiprecious stone. Also called amazon stone, after the river in South America.

Amber, is the fossilized, hardened resin of the pine tree with yellow and brown as the predominant colors.

Antique, an item at least 100 years old and valued for its aesthetic or historical significance.

Bail, the metal hook attached to the top of a pendant through which a chain or cord is threaded.

Bali silver, intricate sterling silver components made from silversmiths in Bali

Bangle, a solid bracelet that either slips over the wrist or opens with a clasp.

Cuttlefish casting, an ancient casting method which naturally produces a richly complex texture through the use of a cuttlefish bone. The process begins by carving a design into the bone and then pouring molten bronze, silver or gold into the mold. Each piece is one-of-a-kind since the mold can only be used once in this process.

Dichroic glass, glass fused with thin layers of metallic oxides to create a fusion of iridescent color.

Findings, parts used to create a piece of jewelry.

Fluorite, a mineral consisting of calcium fluoride, which gives it name to fluorescence, since it can fluoresce strongly in ultra-violet light.

Goldstone, is a type of glass made with copper or copper salts that give it a glitter effect.

Jet, compact variety of lignite commonly velvety black in color.

Kazuri beads, African ceramic beads made from the clay of Mt. Kenya. The beads are handcrafted by a small group of Kenyan single mothers whose only source of income is the money they make working this Fair Trade business established by an English missionary in 1976. Kazuri is the Swahili word for “small and beautiful.”

Labradorite, a feldspar mineral of the plagioclase group, often characterized by a brilliant change of colors, with blue and green most common.

Lepidolite, lilac or rose-violet colored mineral of the mica group.

Precious Metal Clay (PMC), is made from microscopic fine silver particles, a non-toxic organic binder and water. It it worked like clay then fired in a kiln. During this process, the water evaporates, the organic binder burns off and the heat fuses the particles together resulting in a piece of pure silver.

Pyrite, or iron sulfide, has isometric crystals that appear as cubes. Its brassy metallic color has given it the nickname “fools gold.”

Sterling silver, 92.5 percent silver with copper or another metal.

Sunstone, a metallic, shiny feldspar mineral. Typically it contains red glitter which is caused by light reflections from tiny hematite platelets.

Tagua bead, the seed of a palm tree that grows in South America, close to the equator.

Vermeil, sterling silver base with a coated or plated gold surface.

Vintage, an item made before 1980 and after 1900.