A term used to describe any small wire ring used to connect,or suspend a piece of jewelry. A term used to describe the gold content of an alloy. A popular gemstone composed of orthoclase feldspar, moonstones exhibit a phenomenon called adularescence. This shows up as floating sheen within the stone, often moving around when the stone is turned. Varieties of opal include black, white, water, boulder, matrix, hydrophane and fire.
Platinum is presently more costly than gold.
For jewelry purposes, platinum is usually alloyed with a small amount of iridium. This makes the metal harder and more suitable for jewelry work. When properly prepared, platinum takes an exceptional polish. Because of it's very high melting temperature, jewelers must wear special dark glasses while melting or soldering the metal. The platinum family or group metals include platinum, iridium, palladium, rhodium, ruthenium, and osmium.