Glossary
A
ACRYLIC
A type of plastic used to make beads.
AMETHYST
A very popular stone for making some beautiful jewelry pieces. The amethyst goes well with silver or gold. Also works well with pearls.
The amethyst is purple-to-lilac colored gemstone. It is a purple variety of the quartz family. The true amethyst is generally regarded as a most valuable type of its kind.
Heat treated, the amethyst may change colors. Such as yellow (citrine), green, brown, red or clear. At this point it is no longer called amethyst.
Amethyst is the anniversary stone for the 4th, 6th and 17th years of marriage.
AQUAMARINE
A gemstone that is a light to dark blue and ranges from translucent to transparent. The more valuable gems are clearer and is a higher quality. Aquamarine color comes from Iron deposits. Aquamarine means "sea water" in Latin. It is the anniversary gemstone for the 16th and 19th years of marriage.
AUGHT
A unit of measure. Aught refers to the number of beads lined up side by side in a given space. A 6/0 bead that you will get 6 beads in the space. 11/0 will be eleven beads in the same amount of space. So the smaller the number the bigger the bead, as it will take fewer beads to fill the space.
AURORA BOREALIS (AB)
A rainbow finish that is often applied to one side of glass beads.
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B
BAIL
A decorative finding that attaches a pendant to a chain or cord.
BALI SILVER
Handmade sterling silver beads made in Bali, Indonesia. Bali silver is best known for the details achieved.
BAROQUE
An irregular shaped bead, usually smaller at one end than the other.
BARREL CLASP
A clasp that screws together, they are a favorite clasp with the younger generation and works well with necklaces. They are usually not suitable for bracelets, as you need both hands to operate.
BEAD TIP
A metal finding used to hide the knots when working with silk or nylon cording. Also known as Clamshells or End Tips.
BEZEL
A setting for a stone or glass cabochon.
BICONE
Has a conical shape on both ends of the bead.
BLACK ONYX
A member of the quartz family, black onyx is also know as chalcedony. Onyx tends to crack or chip easily.
BRIOLETTE
A teardrop shape with a hole across the top, and is usually faceted.
BUGLE BEAD
Similar to a seed bead in the exception it is cylinder in shape, also made of glass
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C
CABOCHON
A flat back stone used for setting or beading around.
CALIPER
A tool used to measure millimeters.
CAP
A bead cap is a decorative finding that fits onto a bead to add interest.
CATS EYE
A man-made fiber optic material that refracts light and resembles the eye of a cat.
CEYLON
Greasy luster finish over a transparent bead.
CHALCEDONY
A fine grained member of the quartz family, and similar in appearance to nephrite jade. May be found in a variety of colors and among them are the gemstone varieties known as agate and jasper.
CHARM
A small amulet that is used as a pendant, drop or decoration.
CHOKER
A short or close fitting necklace.
CITRINE
A yellow quartz that ranges in color from a lemon-yellow to a dark smokey brown. In natural Citrine the color is a result of the mineral iron. Citrine is heat treated amethyst that has a golden color. Natural Citrine is quite rare and is sometimes referred to as "Quartz Topaz" or "Citrine Topaz" which is misleading and meant to fool buyers into mistaking the quartz into the much more precious topaz.
CLOISONNE
Enamelwork in which metal filaments are fused to the same surface of an object to create a design.
CONE
A finding used to bring several strands together and can also be used as a bead cap.
CRIMP
A small metal bead that is used to attach a clasp or two lengths of wire to secure the ends when using flexible wire.
CRYSTAL
Crystal beads sparkle and refract light in a way tat glass beads cannot. The lead content allows clarity while precision machine cutting gives the bead its brilliance.
CUT
A bead that has a facet to it.
CZ
Also known as Cubic Zirconia, is a synthetic like stone.
CZECH GLASS
Glass beads that are made in the Czech Republic.
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D
DELICA
A favorite among beadweavers, DELICAS are a cylindrical seed bead that has a large hole and is very uniform in size. Miyuki makes them in Japan.
DRUK
A round glass bead that is also made in the Czech Republic.
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E
EMERALD
A light to dark green gemstone, derives it color from elements chromium and vanadium, is a form of the mineral beryl. Deeper green emeralds are the most valued. The metamorphic rock the emeralds come from limits their size. Emerald is said to be the seasonal gem of Spring. A symbol of immortality and faith.
ENAMEL
A process of fusing glass to metal.
EYEPIN
A meal pin with a loop on the end to add a charm or dangle. Mostly used in earrings or in linking.
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F
FACETED
Cut multiple times to add sparkle and refract the light.
FILIGREE
An intricate lacy pattern made from scrolled wire, where as new filigree is stamped out of sheet metal.
FINDINGS
The metal hardware used in jewelry, such as clasps, earwires, eyepins, headpins, etc.
FIREPOLISH
Faceted glass beads are made from glass that is cut and the sharp edges are softened or polished.
FLUORITE
A gemstone that comes in every color of the rainbow. A soft banded gemstone and is a popular stone among jewelers and collectors alike. Fluorite often found in conjunction with calcite, which can be removed.
FOILED
Beads that contain foil inside to give a reflective or mirrored look. This also refers to the backing on rhinestones.
FRENCH HOOK
This is the classic earring wire.
FRESHWATER PEARLS
Pearls produced in freshwater mussels, usually farmed in China.
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G
GAUGE
The way wire is measured. The higher the number the finer the wire.
GEMSTONE
A natural stone, semi-precious or precious, that is cut, polished and used in jewelry.
GOLD FILLED
A piece of jewelry with a layer of gold mechanically applied to the surface of the base metal.
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H
HANK
A unit of measure for seed beads, which is usually 12 strands, bundled together.
HEADPIN
A straight wire used for making earrings with a head at the bottom to keep the bead from falling off.
HEISHE
Originally made from shell, it now defines a small flat bead that nests into each other when strung together.
HEMATITE
A shiny gray stone containing iron, and most of the hematite on the market today is synthetic, thus known as HEMALYKE. The name is the Greek word "hema" meaning blood because it would leave a red streak when handled and will actually dye water red when powdered. Hematine, the best know imitator of hematite.
HOWLITE
Naturally occurs in a white or delicately black veined stake and often is in masses weighing two kilograms or more. Howlite is often dyed blue to imitate turquoise. It is used in beads, carvings and cabochons.
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J
JADE
A pale green to orange stone, Jade appears in two forms. Jadeite and nephrite, with jadeite being the higher valued for its vivid green colors and is a finer translucency than nephrite jade. Also come in lavender, yellow, white and pink. Nephrite is less intense with the dark greens, browns, black and white.
JET
Faceted coal used to describe French jet, which is glass.
JIG
A tool used to bend wire.
JUMP RING
A loop that opens to attach a charm or join pieces together.
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K
KARAT
The purity of gold.
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L
LANYARD
A plastic or fabric necklace used for hanging a badge or beads. Can be used for work or a cell phone.
LAPIS LAZULI
Also know as Lazurite, a mixture of several minerals. Including sodalite, calcite, lazurite and deposits of pyrite. Fine lapis has violet overtones. Most valuable have a dark blue and is uniform in color with no white spots. Lapis that has pyrite is a sign of genuine lapis. Lapis is inexpensive and comes from the "allazward" an Arabic word, which means "sky or blue". Lapis has been imitated in recent years. One of the more common imitations is blue-dyed Chalcedony.
LARIAT
A long necklace that has no clasp, usually tied in the front.
LINED
A bead that is painted with a contrasting color, often silver, inside the hole.
LOBSTER
A clasp that has a claw type opening.
LUSTER
A pearlescent finish applied to a glass bead.
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M
MATTE
A frosted finish achieved by sandblasting or an acid bath.
MALACHITE
Onyx- like green mineral, malachite is semi-medium hard. A lovely appearance as a pale and dark green material, has long been used as and ornamental stone. Polished Malachite is very attractive in beads and cabochons. You can use a small amount of vinegar and polishing cream to hand polish Malachite.
MEMORY WIRE
A hard spring steel wire that retains a coiled shape and is available for bracelets, necklaces or rings.
METALLIC
A metallic coating over a glass bead.
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N
NICKEL
A metal that contains tin and is the cause of many allergies.
NYMO
A brand of nylon beading thread used for beadweaving.
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O
OBSIDIAN
Obsidian is a black transparent to translucent mineral. It is formed from quickly cooling magma during volcanic eruptions. A natural glass, it was used by the Native Americans to shape arrow and spear heads. Some forms of Obsidian contain white spots that resemble snowflakes. (Snowflake Obsidian).
OPAQUE
A finish on a bead that no light can penetrate.
OXIDIZED
To be aged with a black patina.
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P
PATINA
A term to describe the rich color achieved as metal ages.
PICASSO
Picasso beads were originally made in Italy and have a mottled finish.
PERIDOT
A lime green to olive gemstone often used in necklaces, bracelets and earrings. Created by volcanic eruptions. The color is dependent on body size. The smaller stones cannot produce the intense greens, where the larger ones are especially prized. A hardness rating of 6.5 on the Moh's scale. Peridot is the anniversary gemstone for the 16th year of marriage. A fairly soft gem and as with all gems, protect the Peridot from sharp blows and scratches.
PEWTER
An inexpensive metal containing lead that has a low melting point. There are now lead free options.
PEYOTE
An off loom beadweaving stitch that is done flat or tubular.
PONY BEAD
A true pony bead is a 6/0 seed bead, but many people refer to a pony bead as the plastic craft bead with a large hole.
POST
An earring finding that fits through the ear and is secured by a clutch.
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Q
QUARTZ
One of the most common gemstones, and one of the most variegated. Ranging from the diamond to jade. Pure quartz is colorless. Varieties of quartz are rose quartz, smoky quartz, water clear rock crystal.
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R
RATTAIL
A satin cord.
RHINESTONE
A flat or pointed back crystal with a mirrored backing.
ROCAILLE
Another name for a seed bead.
RONDELLE
A rondelle is a flat round spacer bead. It can be smooth, faceted or encrusted with Crystals.
ROSE QUARTZ
Considerably more expensive form of the extremely common clear quartz (rock crystal), Rose Quarts is much more rare. Has a rosy red hue that is fairly cloudy. Rose Quartz is less common that the other color varieties.
RUBY
A form of corundum. Is colored red by deposits of chromium and iron. Often heat-treated to improve its color and clarity. Has been the most valued gem in history. Rubies and sapphires are from the same material. The different coloration comes from the inclusion of different elements into a transparent vein of corundum.
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S
SAPPHIRE
A beautiful stone that is quite popular for the use of making some dazzling jewelry pieces. Goes very well with silver, but can also be used with gold.
Because of the hardness, sapphire is one of the most durable gems. The hardness factor of 9 on the Mohs scale. The highest quality of sapphire have an intense blue shade holding it color at all angles of light. Some sapphires change color from blue to purple, depending on the light and the angle it shines on them. Sapphire is quite durable, but still are subject to chipping and fracture if handled roughly.
Sapphires are the anniversary gemstone for the 5th and 45th years of marriage.
SEED BEAD
Tiny glass beads created by slicing tubes into tiny evenly spaced pieces.
SEMI-PRECIOUS
A non-precious, affordable gemstone such as an agate, quartz or jasper.
SHARPS
Short stiff needles designed to work with fabric ad bead embroidery.
SILVER LINED
Paint applied to the hole of a seed bead to give it a shimmery look. The seed bead will usually have a square hole that makes the lining have more sparkle.
SODALITE
Sodalite occurs in green, blue, red, gray and yellow varieties. Sodalite is one of the components of Lapis Lazuli. It is an inexpensive mineral and used in small carvings.
SPACER
A small bead used between larger focal beads.
SPLIT RING
A miniature keyring often used as a clasp end and for charm bracelets.
SPRING RING
A round clasp with a spring mechanism to secure.
STERLING SILVER
A composition of 92.5% silver and 7.5% copper, it is usually stamped .925.
SWAROVSKI
A brand name for high quality leaded crystal glass that is precision faceted with a machine developed and produced by the Swarovski Co. in Austria.
SYNTHETIC
A bead or stone that is man made to appear as if it is genuine.
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T
TANZANITE
A transparent version of the mineral zoisite. It may range in color from blue to dark violet. In recent years a transparent green tanzanite has also been discovered. Comes only from Tanzania. It is fairly brittle and should be handled with extreme care. The use of Tanzanite is typically safer in pendants and earrings than in rings.
TOGGLE
A bar and ring clasp.
TRANSLUCENT
A semi-transparent bead that some light will shine through but you can't see through.
TRANSPARENT
A bead where the light shines through clearly.
TURQUOISE
Blue-green of Turquoise is a traditional southwestern look combined with the beauty of silver you can design many desirable jewelry pieces. Turquoise also goes well with red coral, orange carnelian, rainbow moonstone and you can use gold beads with turquoise as well.
Turquoise contains Copper or Iron and that is what causes the turquoise color. Depending on the origin of the turquoise, the stone can be sky blue to green. Copper makes it blue and Iron makes it green.
Chalk Turquoise is a white chalk-like consistency and is a form of natural Turquoise. It is the same chemical composition as turquoise but without the copper. This form of turquoise is dyed and stabilized to produce a material that's hard enough to use in jewelry and have the turquoise color.
Natural Turquoise can be found in Australia, New Zealand, Mexico, Chile, Iran, Tibet, Turkestan (the former USSR), and the Southwestern United States.
Turquoise is the anniversary gemstone for the 5th year of marriage.
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V
VERMEIL
Gold plating over sterling silver and pronounced vehr-MAY.
VINTAGE
A term used to describe beads that are at least 40 years old.
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