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MABE:

A Japanese term for cultured pearls, which are cultured against the shell so that only half a pearl is formed resembling a half-sphere

 

MALTESE CROSS:

A shape that has four broad arms of equal length, sometimes having a V-shaped notch cut out of the ends

 

MARCASITE:

An iron ore material-- or pyrite--that is faceted into rose cuts and set into silver or pewter jewelry

 

MARQUIS CUT:

A faceted, elongated, oval stone which tapers to a point at both ends

 

MARQUISE CUT:

A diamond cut that is elongated like an oval, but has a point at either end

 

MASTER STONE:

A set of diamonds used as a key to grade the color of other diamonds

 

MATCHING:

A term used to describe a set of jewelry pieces with matching elements such as style or color

 

MATTE:

A finish created by using either a chemical process or an abrasive material to scratch the top layer of the piece, creating a dull and non-reflective surface

 

MELANGE:

A term for mixed diamond sizes, weighing more than 1 carat

 

MELEE:

A classification used in the sorting of diamonds weighing less than 1 carat

 

MEMENTO MORI:

A jewel that is a reminder of death

 

MEMORIAL JEWEL:

A jewel that is made in memory of a loved one, often containing hair from that person and frequently decorated with enamel

 

METAMORPHIC:

A rock that has been affected by pressure, heat, and water, resulting in a more compact and highly crystalline condition

 

METEORITE:

A small particles of matter in the solar system, projected towards earth, that reaches the surface without being completely vaporized

 

MICRO MOSAIC:

A mosaic of very small, colored glass pieces (tesserae) inlaid in glass or hardstone

 

MICRO - PAVE:

A set of tiny gemstones set very close together, traditionally in three or more rows

 

MILANESE CHAIN:

A chain consisting of interwoven rows of small links, forming a mesh

 

MILGRAIN:

Tiny beads of metal used to decorate jewelry, often adding a vintage aesthetic

 

MILLEFIORI:

A method of creating glass or clay beads with intricate patterns using canes

 

MINAUDIERE:

A woman's small, hard vanity case or handbag, usually metal or wood, which is held in the hand

 

MINE CUT:

An antique diamond cut featuring a cushion or round shape and a chunkier look

 

MINAMALIST:

A jewelry design which is simple and sparing

 

MISSISSIPPI RIVER PEARLS:

Irregularly shaped pearls, usually elongated

 

MIZPAH RING:

A broad, gold ring engraved with the word MIZPAH. Mizpah is a Hebrew word that means 'watchtower' and is loosely interpreted as 'May God watch over you'.

 

MOHS HARDNESS SCALE

A qualitative scale characterizing scratch resistance of various minerals through the ability of harder material to scratch softer material

 

MOISSANITE:

A silicon carbide SiC found in the Diablo Canyon meteoric iron

 

MOKUME GANE:

A Japanese metalworking procedure which produces a mixed-metal design, resembling wood

 

MONEY CLIP:

A device used to store cash and credit cards in a compact fashion

 

MONTANA SAPPHIRE:

A blue sapphire, primarily mined in the Yogo Gulch of Montana

 

MOONSTONE:

A transparent, slightly iridescent, milky white variety of feldspar with white or light blue opalescent spots

 

MORGANITE:

A rose-colored variety of beryl

 

MOSAIC:

A design created by pressing pieces of stone glass or ceramic tiles called tesserae in mortar

 

MOTHER-OF-PEARL:

The opalescent material on the inside of mollusk shells like oysters and mussels

 

MOUNT:

To place or fix a stone in the setting

 

MOUNTING:

A piece of metal that holds a gem in place

 

MOURNING JEWELRY:

Jewelry worn to commemorate the death of a loved one, usually in the form of a ring, brooch, or necklace

 

MOVAL:

A gemstone cut that combines the tapered edges of a marquise cut with rounded points of the oval cut

 

MULTI-BAND:

A ring that is composed of more than one band

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NACRE:

The shiny, iridescent substance secreted by a mollusk as a response to an irritant (like a piece of sand), which over time builds up to become a pearl

 

NATURAL DIAMON:

A diamond that was formed in the earth in an uncontrolled environment

 

NAVETTE:

A ring shaped like a large marquise but set with many smaller stones

 

NECKLACE:

An ornament worn around the neck

 

NEGLIGEE:

A long necklace that usually terminates in irregular length with tassels or drops

 

NICKEL SILVER:

A white metal mixture of copper, zinc, and nickel which contains no silver

 

NIELLO:

An inlay technique in which the grooves made in silver or gold are made black in color by the use of a composition of metal sulfides