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Jewelry Definitions

 
Below are definitions  of terms used in this site that you might find interesting.
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* Sterling and gold will tarnish less the more that you wear them. We suggest  using a chemically treated polishing cloth, rinsing and drying as some silver tend to take a bit  of luster off with the tarnish.
 
Swarovski Crystals--
       Swarovski Crystals  are regarded as the highest machine cut and polished crystals in the world. How to tell  the difference:
 *Swarovski Crystals are perfectly uniform in height, weight, slope, etc.
Swarovski machinery precisely cuts each crystal so they may have a hundred identical facets in several directions with each direction reflected by light first calculated by computer, then simulated in 3D, allowing each crystal to have its facet  "pointing up" as done in diamond cutting.
Swarovski AB quality crytals have a uniform surface luster. Imitations can have a duller cut, sometimes show an "oily", swirling, scratchy, or uneven look in color and sometimes small bubbles may be inside. Swarovski crystals  always out sparkle others in a side by side comparison.
 
Maltese Cross/ iron cross
The Maltese cross is identified as the symbol of the  Christian warrior. Its design is based on crosses used since the First Crusade. It is in the form of four "V" shaped arms joined together at their bases, so that each arm has two points. The cross has eight points in all and remains the symbol of the sovereign Military,Order of Malta and Orders of St John.  It has come to be adopted as the orders of chivalry  and  is the state emblem of Queensland, Australia. It is the symbol for Fire Departments throughout Australia and various Fire Services in the United States.  Other similar crosses (properly known as the cross pattée)  appear as the Victoria Cross  and on the flag of Wallis and Futuna.  It also has been used as the official badge of the Delta Phi  fraternity since 1833.
 
 Onyx
Onyx is a variety of quartz similar to agate, only with straight rather than curved bands. Popular since early Eygypt and Roman times, it was popular for carving and often used for cameo's.
 
Hematite
A metallic , magnetic stone  sometimes used as an artist pigment  or for polishing when powdered. In the past it was worn to protect against bleeding and now is said to help arthritis.
 
 Pewter
  Pewter is  85-99% tin, 1-4% copper ( as a hardener) and often lead is added to the lower grades. Sometimes modern pewter  mixes the tin with copper, antimoney and / or bismuth as opposed to lead.  A low melting point  makes it soft enough to carve with hand tools and like silver will tarnish if left untreated.
Grades of Pewter:
 
 FINE:   For eating ware 96-99%tin,1-4% copper.
 
 TRIFLE:  For eating and drinking utinsils but duller in color, 92% tin, 1-4% copper, and up to 4% lead.
 
 LEY:   NOT for eating and drinking because it  can contain up to 15% lead.
 
 STAINLESS STEEL
Stainless steel  does not rust , stain, or corrode as easily as ordinary steel because it is 10.5% chromium. At 12 % chromium, the steel  is tarnish resistant and when nickel is added makes it  non-magnetic .  The 304 grade is often used in surgical instruments and most body jewelry   because it cleans easier.  
   
 STERLING SILVER
   Sterling silver contains   92.5% pure silver and 7.5% other metal, usually copper for strength, as  Fine Silver ( 99.9%) is too soft for functional objects. The copper is responsible for tarnishing.The minimum considered "Fine" silver is 925. Used as currancy in the 12th Century in Germany, then adopted by the British, French and other countries , sterling coinage  is  no longer used( except Mexico). Countries each had their "hallmark" for sterling: British ( lions head, crown,etc) France( Minerva's head) while the United States  stamped".925". Some companies designed their own hallmark for sterling: Gorham ( a lion, anchor, letter 'G') and Tiffany ('T. and Co.')
Grades of  Silver:
 
FINE:    99.9% silver, used in bullion bars used for international trading
 
BRITANNIA:  95.84% silver and 4.16% copper, often stamped" 958"
 
MEXICAN:    95% silver, 5% copper
 
STERLING:  92.5% silver,7.5% other ( usually copper)
 
COIN: 90% silver, 10% copper
 
GOLD
Karat  percentage of gold to other alloys is based on 24 parts. The higher the gold  percentage, the softer the item-unless it's thick- so other metals  like silver and copper are used to harden the gold. The metal alloy  content may also be used to  change the gold  color, as in white gold, rose gold,etc.
 
Grades of Gold:
 Pure 24 Karat ( too soft for working with) is used in  bullion bars for international trading. It can be used for plating  as in Gold Leaf. The lower the Karat content of gold, the more durable and less polishing the item  will need. However, it has less of it's "yellow" color. More Americans  prefer 10-14 KT for durability while  Asia and India  prefer the 18 KT.
 
18 KARAT:  75% gold (18 parts gold, 6 parts other metal, usually silver and copper)
14 KARAT:   58.3% gold  (14 parts gold, 10 parts other metal)
12 KARAT:  50 % gold    ( 12 parts gold,12 parts other metal)
10 KARAT:  41.7% gold   (10 parts  gold,14 parts other metal)
 
GOLD FILLED: Gold layers mixed with metal alloy, sometimes brass. Must be at least one twentieth  of gold to be marked gold filled and is usually at least  10-12 Karat.
 
GOLD PLATED: Metal with a thin outside plating of gold. This wears off eventually in some places on the item.
 
ELECTOPLATE: Must have at least 7 millionths of an inch of gold on the surface to be called electroplate. Anything less has to be  marked "gold washed" or gold flashed".
 
VERMEIL: Sterling silver plated with at least 10 karat gold.
 
WHITE GOLD: Nickel  is used to  give gold its white gold appearance, but as some people are nickel sensitive, palladium at a bit higher price can be used and is still less costly than using platinum.
 
ROSE GOLD /Colored Gold :  More of the copper  is used to create the pinkish effect in  Rose Gold while more silver is used for a greenish effect. Black Hills gold is usually 10-12 KT and is a  good example of this.