A stone cut into a small rectangular or tapered shape with a step cut and often used as accents to larger stones.

A rigid bracelet, which can either be work by opening with a clasp and hinge, or by slipping directly over the hand.

A highly ornamental, flamboyant style of European art and architecture which lasted from the mid 16th century until the early 18th century.

Two metal pieces on either end of a necklace or bracelet screw or click together, forming a clasp that looks like a barrel.

A decorative setting in which stones are set evenly with the metal surface and secured by small metal bead-like prongs.

A shape of stone where the surface has been cut at an angle less than 90 degrees. Often seen in rhinestones and other gemstones.

This is a setting used in jewelry, in which a stone is held in place by a band (either plain or with a fancy edging, around the outside of a stone. See also Prong settings).

Metal is wrapped around the girdle of the stone, making only its crown and table visible. This setting is admired for its protection, security and its ability to minimize inclusions.

The nonvolatile adhesive liquid portion of a paint that attaches pigment particles and the paint film as a whole to the support.

Stones that correspond to a specific month of the year.

A worm brown pigment prepared from the soot of wood, especially from beech wood.

Freshwater pearls sourced from Lake Biwa in Japan. Biwa pearls are usually irregular in shape and more lustrous than other freshwater pearl varieties.

A pearl produced by a black-lipped oyster found in the tropical waters of the Indian and Pacific Oceans. The various colors of black pearls include grey, peacock green, purple and dark brown, and they can have additional overtones of blue, green, pink, gold or silver. The color of black pearls depends on the combination of minerals in the oyster's environment, which it injects. Also known as Tahitian pearls.

In artwork, the effect of a dark colour seeping through a lighter colour to the surface.

Imperfections found on the external surface of a diamond.

Smoothing the edges of two colours together so that they have a smooth gradation where they meet.

A dull, progressively opaque, white effect caused on varnished surfaces by damp conditions.

The most common form of topaz. Blue Topaz is traditionally used to celebrate December birthdays and the fourth year of marriage.

Opaque paint, such as gouache, which has the covering power to obliterate underlying colour.

A classic chain with small box-like links.

A piece of folded metal on one end of a chain or bracelet fits into the opening of a box on the other end and securely fastens the chain or bracelet together.

A set of rings that includes both the engagement ring and wedding band for her.

The light that is reflected from the diamond to the eye, or the amount of sparkle for a particular diamond.

A way in which diamonds are cut. Brilliant-cut diamonds include round, oval, teardrop, pear, princess, radiant, triangle, heart and marquise-shaped diamonds.

The distinctive way, in which an artist applies paint, being equivalent to the individual nature of handwriting.