O P
OILING:
A temporary treatment used to enhance the color of a gemstone
OLD EURO CUT:
A round antique diamond cut, known for their chunky faceting and small table
OLD EUROPEAN CUT:
A round antique diamond cut, known for their chunky faceting and small table
OLD MINE CUT:
An antique diamond cut featuring a cushion or round shape and a chunkier look
ONYX:
A semi-precious stone that is black or white in color
OPAL:
A semi-precious stone known for its iridescent, luminous qualities
OPALESCENT:
A term used to describe a surface with a lustrous, cloudy, rainbow-like array of colors, similar to what one might see in an oil slick or mother of pearl
OPAQUE:
A term used to describe a stone that will not allow any light to pass through it
OPEN BACK SETTING:
A setting in which the back of the stone can be seen
OPPENHEIMER DIAMOND:
A 253.7 carat yellow diamond, discovered in South Africa in 1964
ORE:
A metal-bearing mineral from which metal can be profitably mined or extracted
ORGANIC:
A general term used for jewelry that is made from a living organism (such as pearl), jewelry with floral or plant-like designs, or jewelry that is eco-friendly
ORIENT:
The characteristic sheen of fine natural and cultured pearls
ORIENTAL PEARL:
A pearl that has formed naturally, with no human intervention
OVAL CUT:
A faceted, elongated stone, round at both ends
OXIDATION:
A chemical process in which metals such as silver are blackened or tarnished as a reaction to sulfur and oxygen
OXIDE:
A compound containing one oxygen atom per molecule
OXIDIZE:
The act of combining with oxygen molecules to make an oxide
OXYGEN:
A non-metallic element that is normally a colorless, odorless, tasteless gas
PADPARADSCHA SAPPHIRE:
A rare, peach colored variation of sapphire
PAILLONS:
Small pieces of metallic foil which are placed underneath enamel work to provide a glow, popular with a number of arts and crafts movement jewelers
PALLADIUM:
A charcoal-gray precious metal; cousin of platinum found in Russia, South Africa, and North America
PAMPILLAS:
A cascade of pendant stones, popular in Georgian jewelry and meant to look like rain drops
PARURE:
A suite of matching jewelry, usually four or more pieces and containing a: necklace, bracelet, pair of earrings and belt or brooch
PASSAMENTERIE:
Jewelry inspired by furniture trimmings such as cording
PASTE:
A glass-based substance used to simulate gemstones
PATINA:
The discoloration that forms on metals such as silver and bronze, but is often planned for in the artist's design and can be introduced artificially through the use of chemicals
PATTERN:
A general term for repeated, decorative jewelry designs
PAVE:
A large field of small stones set very close together to create wall-to-wall paved object
PAVILION:
The portion of a gemstone located below the girdle
PEAR CUT:
A gemstone cut with a rounded, oval shape that comes to a point at one end
PEARL:
An organic gem grown within oysters and other mollusks which is most valued and sought after when it is are perfectly round and lustrous
PEEK-A-BOO DIAMON:
A secretive, hidden diamond that is only visible from a unique angle
PENDALOQUE:
A type of pear or tear drop gemstone, faceted as a brilliant cut and suspended from a smaller stone which is usually separated by a bow or other motif
PENDANT:
A hanging ornament primarily worn on a necklace
PERIODET:
A yellow-green, transparent variety of Olivine
PETITE:
A small, potentially fragile piece of jewelry
PEWTER:
A term for items described and marked as if they contain at least 90% tin
PIETRA DURA:
A mosaic of semi-precious stones set into a floral pattern of black marble or onyx, also known as a hardstone mosaic
PINCHBECK:
A gold simulant, invented circa 1720 by Christopher Pinchbeck, which is comprised of a mixture of Copper and Zinc
PIQUE:
Tortoiseshell or horn, which is inlaid with mother-of-pearl, silver or gold
PIT:
An indentation on the surface of a diamond or gemstone
PLANISHING:
A hammering process done to give a smoother finish to a piece of metal
PLATINUM:
The most precious of white metals
PLIQUE - A - JOUR:
A form of cloisonne in which the enamel in the cells has no backing, producing a translucent effect
PLOT:
A diagram of a gemstone's clarity characteristics
POINT:
One-one hundredth (0.01) of a carat
POLISHED:
A smooth, glossy jewelry finish
POMANDER:
A case for scented objects, worn as a pendant
POPIGAI CRATER
A crater in Siberia, Russia that is home to the world's largest known diamond deposit
POSEIDEN:
The Greek god of the sea
POSY RING:
A ring engraved with a verse
POT METAL:
A general term for alloys which do not have gold, silver, or platinum as a components
PRECIOUS GEMSTONE:
A gemstone that is of a very high value or price, due to its rarity
PRECIOUS METAL:
A general term for metals valued for their color, malleability, and rarity
PRINCESS CUT:
A highly faceted square cut stone, similar to a brilliant cut, which has been adapted to a square shape to increase brilliance
PRONG SETTING:
A gemstone held in place by small, finger-like wires, that are attached to the body of the ring, which bend over the edges of the stone
PROPORTION:
A mathematical representation of a gemstone's overall symmetry
PROPOSAL:
An offering of marriage