Jewellery Terms & Meanings

 

14 KARAT GOLD FILLED: gold filled is a thick layer of gold bonded on both sides of a brass core.  Gold filled jewellery is legally required to be 5% or 1/20 gold by weight.  Gold filled can be considered a long-term metal. Due to its cost and durability, Gold filled is the next best option to solid gold.

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STERLING SILVER: is Silver which is 92.5% purity. The remaining 7.5% can be any one of several other metals or a combination of metals. It's most often copper, but the composition can vary. Sterling silver can also be known as 925 Silver.
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GEMSTONE BEADS: all gemstone beads used are purchased through reputable gem dealers in Canada and India.  All are graded AA or AAA. Variation in colour, size and natural inclusions are to be expected and are part of the beauty of natural stones.
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HAND STAMPING:  the process of hitting a metal letter/design stamp with a hammer so that it leaves an impression of the design or letter on the sterling silver or gold filled. We create our jewellery by hand, no stamping or engraving machine is involved, so there will always be variation in alignment and spacing.   The beauty of this process is that each piece of Gracie Jewellery is as unique as its wearer.
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BAROQUE PEARLS: are an irregular, non-spherical shape. Shapes can range from minor to distinctly ovoid, curved, pinched and lumpy shapes.
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KESHI PEARLS: are often referred to as "happy accidents" in the pearl world. They are formed as a byproduct of the pearl cultivation process when the oyster rejects and spits out the implanted nucleus intended to form a cultured pearl. Despite the lack of a nucleus, the oyster continues to deposit nacre, resulting in a keshi pearl. Unlike most cultured pearls, which have a bead nucleus, keshi pearls are composed entirely of nacre. This gives them an exceptional lustre and a unique, radiant glow that many pearl enthusiasts adore. Keshi pearls are known for their distinctive and irregular shapes. No two keshi pearls are exactly alike, making each piece of keshi pearl jewellery truly one-of-a-kind. These pearls can be found in a variety of colours, including white, cream, grey, and even more exotic hues like blue, green, and gold. Their colours can be incredibly vibrant due to their all-nacre composition. Since keshi pearls are not nucleated, they are considered more natural compared to other cultured pearls. This makes them particularly valued by those who appreciate natural gemstones. Due to their lack of a heavy nucleus, keshi pearls are typically lighter than other types of pearls, making them comfortable to wear as earrings or in other types of jewelry.

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RONDELLE: refers to the shape of the bead. A rondelle bead is disc or doughnut shaped and wider than the height of the bead.
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CHATOYANCE: is an optical phenomenon in which a band of reflected light, known as a 'cat's-eye,' moves just beneath the surface.