Pearl Jewelry Dictionary

Caring For Pearls

Choker: About 16". Worn for both formal and casual occasions.
Princess: About 18". The most popular length, it is a longer version of the choker.
Matinee: About 22". The usual length for daytime wear.
Opera: About 30-32". The preferred length for formal wear; often in two strands.
Rope: About 40" or longer. Configurations include two strands, three strands and knots.
Clasp: The metal piece that closes the necklace. Mikimoto clasps are engraved with the trademark outline of an Akoya oyster enclosing the letter M.
Knot: Knots tied between each pearl in a necklace prevent pearls from scattering if the string breaks.

Single Row: Several cut stones of the same size lined up next to each other without separation.
Eternity: Gems of the same cut and size wrapped around the entire circumference of the ring to symbolize eternal love. Rings with a half circle of stones are called 'half eternity' rings.
Solitaire: An elegant setting of one single gem.

Drop: Designs that dangle below the earlobe.
Hoop Type: A circular design, going from front to back of the earlobe.
Earclip: A metal fitting holds the earring in place by gently pinching the earlobe.
Post: The part of a pierced earring that goes into the earlobe.
Earbacks: The metal fitting that secures the post of a pierced earring.
Screw: A screw-like fitting with a threaded post and an earback that turns onto the post to close.

Spring ring: A round-shaped lock at one end of a chain. The chain is closed by inserting the tag inside the lock.
Chain Tag: Inserted into the spring ring lock to close the chain.
Lobster Claw: Similar to spring ring lock but with an elongated shape.

Stickpin: A brooch with decorations on the face of a long pin, held with a fitting on the underside.
Pin Brooch: An ornamented brooch held in place by a pin, a catch and a joint hinge.

Bangle: A round or elliptical bracelet, rigid in structure, that slips onto the wrist without a clasp.

Prong Setting: A technique for setting jewels; small wire prongs hold stones in place.
Bezel Setting: Setting jewels by surrounding them with a thin, flat piece of metal.
Channel: A technique that sets small cut stones between two strips of metal.

Pavé Setting: Involves placing stones known as melee up against one another like paving stones, held in place by "beads" of metal.
Mille Grain: Using a chisel to produce continuous fine granular relief patterns on the edge of the base metal.
Open work: Creating a pattern by inserting openings with a jeweler's saw.
Matte finish: Finishing the surface of a metal for a soft rather than bright luster.