I have decided to begin a glossary for our Bella Gems site. I will focus on gemstone and costume jewelry. I hope you find this helpful in broadening your understanding making the collecting process that much more enjoyable.

Agate :  Form of chalcedony occurring in nodular masses in rocks such as volcanic lavas with many different colors and patterns. 

Abalone: Used as a jewelry inlay from the inside lining of a mollusk- shell made of soft protein and a brittle mineral.

Acrostic Jewelry: In Victorian times Regard (Ruby, Emerald, Garnet, Amethyst, Ruby, Diamond) rings and Dearest rings are examples of jewelry that had a special meaning dictated by stone placement, otherwise known as acrostic jewelry

Aigrette: Decorative hair ornament that was very popular in the early 20th century.

Acrylic: Thermoplastic made from acrylic acid or a derivative of it- used for jewelry and many other applications

Ajoure: This is similar to filigree, pierced, perforated, or cut out to form a decorative opening into a piece of metal, instead of wires which have been bent or formed into the design.

Alexandrite:  Chrysoberyl gem which contains iron, titanium and chromium. Color changes from green/bluish green to red/purplish-red greatly increasing the value of this stone. Any naturally occurring color changing stones are valued at higher level.

Alloy: A mixture of two or more metals.

Alpaca: or German silver is an alloy that is made of approximately 60% copper, 20% nickel and 20% zinc, with 5 % tin used as a replacement for silver.

Amazonite:  Aqua colored feldspar that is opaque pastel blue-green which takes its name from the Amazon River. 

Amber:  Transparent to translucent fossil resin that is millions of years old. Amber is heated to clarify it causing "Lilly pad" flecks. At times, insects and other items may become trapped in the amber.  It is very light in weight and will float in salt water. 

Amethyst:  Is a naturally occurring gemstone ranging in color from pale to deep purple and is the most valuable form of quartz. The color is caused by iron and manganese compound impurities in the mineral.

Ametrine:  Unique quartz stone combining both amethyst and citrine in the same stone. 

Annealing: this is a process of heating and pounding glass, metal or pottery to harden it.

Antique:  Jewelry that is more than 100 years old.

Apatite:  Once considered a rare stone of translucent sea green, apatite is more available and gaining popularity

Applique:  Ornamental work made separately and then applied to an article.

Applejuice Bakelite: Bakelite that turns amber in color

Aquamarine:  A naturally occurring gemstone in the beryl group that ranges in color from the palest of blues, whites and greens to a deeper blue. 

Arabesque: A complex, ornate design of intertwined floral, foliate, and geometric figures.

Aragonite:  Golden colored stone with medium translucence.

Art Deco: Jewelry made from 1910-1930 with geometric lines and bold colors.

Art Modern: This jewelry started out with relatively delicate designs and progressed to much more bold and blocky styles during the period of time between 1935 and 1945

Art Nouveau: Jewelry made from 1890-1915 where the designs centered on a poetic interpretation of nature.

Articulated: Jewelry that is made with hinged or jointed parts so that it is moveable.

Arts and Crafts: 1890-1920 during this time, artisans wanted their work to look handmade and the aesthetic appeal of the jewelry was very important.

Asterism: Also know as the star effect, this is a reflection effect that appears as two or more intersecting bands of light across the surface of a gem. It is usually created through reflection of light by thin fibrous or needle-like inclusions that lie in various directions. There are 6 ray, 4 ray and, rarely, 12 ray stars. Ruby and sapphire cabochons can sometimes very effectively show this phenomenon.

Aurora Borealis: this coating is based on the North Pole's "Northern Lights". This coating was developed with Christian Dior between 1955-1956. It can be easily scratched so care in handling is recommended.

Aventurescence: Small leaf-like metallic inclusions that catch and reflect light.

Aventurine:  Translucent stone with metallic iridescence caused by small inclusions of fuchsite, a mica material. 

Avolto: a jewelry style which uses wire to form a necklace into a particular shape.

Azurite:  Deep blue stone that often has inclusions of Malachite, Chrysocolla or Turquoise in areas of copper deposits. 

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