Glossary

A signature of craftsmen. 

A geological term referring to the host rock on which  mineral is contained.

A texture on metal that is created by forming tiny abrasions on the top layer to create a finish that is without gloss or lustre.

Latin for remember that you must die.  A symbol which intends to remind the viewer of their mortality. Common motifs include skulls, hourglasses and wilting flowers.

Decorative glasswork technique meaning a thousand flowers. Long coloured glass rods fused together and cut in cross sections to create small tesserae.

A scale used to rank gems and mineral hardness on a scale from 1 to 10, where diamonds are 10 and talc is 1. 

The decoration of a surface using small stones, tiles or glass to create an image or pattern.

Egyptian hieroglyph for beautiful.

A necklace that usually sits below the collarbone with two irregular lengths coming from the centre with tassels or gemstones on the end. 

A black coloured compound created of silver, lead , copper and sulfur that is used in inlays on engraved or etched metal. 

 A black alloy usually made of sulphur, copper, silver and lead which is used to fill incised material thus increasing the contrast of the design.

Small objects of artistic quality. Often used by the wealthy in the 18th century. Often made of precious metal and embellished. 

An antique cut of diamonds. A cushion shaped cut with a high crown, deep pavilion, small table with 58 facets. Old mine cuts were cut by hand. 

Intricate style of decoration created by piercing patterns in sheet gold.  

 Goldsmith.

 A precious metal which is similar to platinum although not as heavy.

Tassels. In the context of jewelry it refers to a cascade of gemstones ending in a point. 

Silver objects that have been partly gilded.

The natural discolouration of the surface of metal resulting from age.

 Formal Egyptian jewelry worn on chest.

A Celtic brooch shaped as an incomplete ring and often highly decorated. 

A piece of jewellery that is suspended from another piece of jewellery.  

A pear shaped brilliant cut of diamond with rounded edges. Often seen on earrings and chandeliers.

A square diamond cut with 58 facets, with small rectangular notches in the top corner. 

Hard stone. Florentine mosaic technique where cut gemstones are fitted together perfectly to form an image.

Dark green quartz.

A precious metal which is very strong and heavy. Silver in colour. 

Decoration created by tiny dots which form a design.

A small spherical case with a perforated shell which would be filled with spices or perfumes and worn to maintain a pleasant scent.