Jewelry Key Terms

Key terms to know in the jewelry industry

There are many terms you need to know to be successful in the jewelry industry. You should be knowledgeable about how jewelry is made, the materials jewelry contains, the types of jewelry and the value of the different gemstones. To start with the basics, be sure you understand the meaning of alloy, white gold and hypoallergenic. It is also important to have a working understanding of the terms labradorescence, gemstone and Troy weight.

 

Alloy

Alloy refers to the mixture of two or more solids. This is a common term in the jewelry business because it explains how the colors, the strength and the luster of jewelry are made.
Try: Asia-Gems defines the term alloy and explains how it relates to jewelry.

White gold

White gold is a gold and nickel alloy. The nickel gives the gold a whiter, brighter color than silver but not the yellow color of gold. White gold is still a gold and just as valuable and popular.
Try: Canada Jewels gives a detailed explanation of white gold and how it is made.

Hypoallergenic

Hypoallergenic, when referring to jewelry, means that the jewelry is less likely to cause an allergic reaction. This refers to the jewelry being in a purer form and containing less nickel to cause the least amount of allergic reactions, since many people have an allergy to the nickel used in jewelry.
Try: Roman Research describes how jewelry can be made hypoallergenic.

Labradorescence

Labradorescence is a term meaning the bright blue, green and red flashes of color that come off of a gemstone. Other terms for this are shiller or labradorescence effect.
Try: Jewel Info 4u has a good explanation of labradorescence. 

Gemstones

Gemstones are formed in nature through pressure, heat and chemicals. They are technically mineral crystals that are mostly small in size, but some are large enough to be cut and used for jewelry.
Try: America's Collectibles Network explains how some gemstones are formed.

Troy weight

Troy weight is a term referring to the measurement of jewelry - specifically gold, silver and jewels - by their weight. In Troy weight, a pound is 12 ounces, an ounce is 20 pennyweights and a pennyweight is 24 grains.
Try: In its jewelry glossary, Bernardine Fine Art Jewelry defines the Troy weight of jewelry, along with many other key jewelry terms.

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