Glossary of Jewelry Terms
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Damascene: Refers to a type of jewelry that today most often comes from Spain;
the jewelry is inlaid or engraved with gold or silver metals and black enamel;
originated in the 14th century in Damascus, hence the name.
Demi-Parure: A partial set of jewelry. A full set usually includes a necklace,
earrings, bracelet and brooch, all matching. A demi ("demi" is the
French word for half) is a jewelry set that is not a full set; it could refer
to any combination, such a necklace and brooch, or bracelet and earrings, but
is lacking the other pieces of a full set
Deposé: The rights or patent granted for an exclusive jewelry design
in France. If the reverse of a piece of jewelry is stamped "deposé",
it was made in France. The literal translation is "hand made".
Diamond: A mineral composed essentially of carbon that crystallizes in the “cubic,” or “isometric,” crystal
system and is therefore singly refractive. IT is by far the hardest of all
known natural substances (10 on Mohs’ scale); only manmade Borazon and
synthetic diamond are as hard. In its transparent form, it is the most cherished
and among the most highly valued gemstones. It occurs in colors ranging from
colorless to yellow, brown, orange, green, blue, and violet. Reddish stones
are known, but those of an intense red color approaching that of ruby are excessively
rare. Its hardness and high refractive index (2.417) permits it to be fashioned
as the most brilliant of all gems, and its dispersion (.044) produces a high
degree of fire. The specific gravity is 3.52. Sources include various sections
of south, west, southwest and middle Africa; Russia; central, east and northeast
South America; India; Borneo; and Australia. It is also found in the United
State, but not in commercial quantity. For more information about the history
of diamonds, visit Fabulous Facets Gem History (use your browser's "back" key
to return here)
Diamond Cut: A name sometimes used in the colored-stone trade for brilliant
cut.
Dog Collar: Popular during the Victorian era, this was a snug necklace made
either of rows of pearls or beads, and usually worn high up on the neck. Also
sometimes a ribbon was used, with a jewel at the front, and tied in back.It
was made popular in the late Victorian and Edwardian periods by Queen Alexandra,
who had a long, graceful neck.
Duette: A combination of two clips on a pin back. Duette was a registered
design by Coro, but is now used generically for this design
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