Sterling Goddess Glossary and Guide to Care
Metals
.925 Silver (Sterling) The ideal silver used in construction of jewelry (proportional for design and strength). 925 of 1000 parts of the metal, or 92.5% of it, is pure silver. The value of a piece of sterling sliver jewelry rises with labor or handwork used in its creation.
Sterling Fact: Considered more precious than gold in Early Egyptian history.
Liquid Silver Small tubular .925 silver beads strung together to form fluid, multi-strand necklaces.
Vermeil Gold Rich, highly polished pieces of sterling silver heavily electroplated with 22KT gold.
Sterling Fact: Intramuscular gold salts have been used in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis since 1927.
Rhodium Classified as a platinum metal, but unlike platinum, the metal is liquid in its natural state. Applied to base metals, gold, sterling silver, and other alloys, to give them shiny, white surfaces.
Sterling Fact: In 1979 the Guinness Book of World Records gave Paul McCartney a rhodium-plated disc to honor his achievement of being the best-selling songwriter and recording artist in history.
Grade A Faceted Gemstones
Amethyst [A] Grade This stone is a striking shade of medium deep purple, without black tones. Suitable for your finest faceted gemstone jewelry. Most material comes from Africa.
Blue Topaz [A] Grade “London Blue” is the darkest and rarest of Blue Topaz. Our stones are deep blue, but not so dark that we sacrifice their clean and bright tones. All stones are eye clean.
Citrine [A] Grade Most of the citrine is created by heat-treating amethyst. This premium grade varies in color from deep yellow to a yellow-orange Palmeira. Minimal brown tones for heightened brightness. Eye clean clarity and fine quality cutting. From Brazil.
Iolite [A] Grade Very popular gemstone, due to its affordability as compared to other blue gemstones. Ranges in color from bright grey/purple to intense dark purple/blue. From Africa.
Rhodolite Garnet [A] Grade Identified universally as the most beautiful of the red garnets. Eye clean clarity with no orange shading. Rough is from Zambia and specially cut in Germany.
Peridot [A] Grade Bright, lime green stones, these are from the finest rough in San Carlos, Arizona. Eye clean, with brilliant quality faceting.
Other High-Quality Stones
Agate A type of silica mineral distinguished by its fine grain and bright, rosy color. Usually porous, and occurring in cavities of eruptive rocks and lavas, it is dyed to enhance its natural color.
Sterling Fact: First discovered in Stone Age France.
Amber Fossilized resin of the Pinus Sacciferous tree occurring in many earthy colors, though usually honey-colored. Heating can change lighter (yellow) amber to darker (red) amber.
Sterling Fact: Most Amber is 30-90 million years old.
Amethyst Purple variety of the mineral quartz; darker purples are more sought after. The mineral’s color is due to a complex mixture of aluminum and iron. From South Africa, Zambia, Mexico, and Brazil.
Sterling Fact: Ancient Greeks and Romans wore amethysts, in belief that it would prevent alcohol intoxication.
Aurora Borealis (AB) Aurora borealis (“northern light”) crystals have a unique iridescent finish, due to deposits of a very thin layer of metallic atoms on the surface of the stone. Invented in 1955 by the Swarovski company in combination with Christian Dior.
Sterling Fact: In meteorology the aurora borealis is a luminous band or streamer caused by the emission of charged solar particles into the atmosphere. In northern hemispheres, they are called The Northern Lights.
Aventurine In the feldspar family this gemstone, which comes from India, is often green, with inclusions of minerals that give it a glistening effect.
Sterling Fact: Thought to balance male/female energies.
Blue Topaz A silicate mineral of aluminum and fluorine, the mineral has been treated for an electric blue color. It is a popular choice as an alternative to aquamarine. Much of Topaz can be found in the Ural and Ilmen Mountains.
Sterling Fact: Although Topaz is a very hard stone, it can be split with one hard blow, and should be protected accordingly.
Bronzite Classified as a proxene mineral, this gemstone has been chemically weathered and has a bronze-like luster on its cleavage surfaces.
Sterling Fact: In crystal healing, used as a stone of “unprejudiced discernment”, aiding in objectivity and equality.
Cat’s Eye This gemstone is a form of the mineral chrysoberol in green, brown, or yellow, or combinations of these colors. Crystals run through the length of the stone, causing a bright belt of light resembling a feline’s winking eye. Somewhat rare in the gemstone market, this stone is from Africa.
Sterling Fact: Turning the stone can cause optical affects, such as the belt of light to glide away across the surface.
Chrysocolla A green-blue blend of hydrate copper silicate, which forms in bodies of copper ore, through the oxidation process. Some of the minerals swirled into the composition are soft, so must be treated with care. Rough is from Arizona, Nevada, Peru, Russia, and Zaire.
Sterling Fact: Can be considered a “Fool’s Turquoise” since it is often confused with the stone, due to its similar colors
Citrine Primarily produced in Brazil, this is a coarse-grained, medium to bright yellow quartz, with good clarity, like sunlight. Worn in ancient times to protect against snake venom and evil thoughts.
Sterling Fact: Name derived from the French word “citron”, meaning lemon.
Coral (red) A skeletal variety of calcium carbonate, accumulated by colonies of small animals, like sea anemones. Especially fragile, this gemstone comes in a variety of rosy colors. Each tube and cylinder is hand-cut, retaining its natural texture, perfect for primitive or ethnic designs.
Sterling Fact: Coral is one of the seven treasures listed in Buddhist scriptures.
Cubic Zirconia Man-made gemstones mistaken for diamonds, without the same intrinsic properties such as hardness. Our Cubic Zirconia components are anti-tarnish coated for a bright, lasting finish.
Sterling Fact: While previously criticized for being a diamond imposter, a more modern perception of the crystal is that it has beauty of its own.
Garnet A group of common silicate minerals with varieties of burgundy red and very few or no inclusions. The stone is perfect for any season, though especially for holidays, with its warm glow. Optimum color and glistening facets are considered in the selection process.
Sterling Fact: Garnets were believed to be used by Asian tribes in place of bullets.
Goldstone An atypical manmade stone. Brown glass with copper oxide is heated to high temperatures to make this gemstone.
Sterling Fact: The color of goldstone comes from the copper crystals. The glass itself is colorless.
Hematite This mineral has the same crystal structure as ilmenite and corundum. Silvery and opaque, it becomes a red powder when ground and sometimes comes in a rainbow variety, found in Brazil. Its crystals are rhombohedral and substantial. It is mined in Australia, Brazil, England, Mexico, the United States and Canada.
Sterling Fact: Hematite was used in cave paintings and as a pigment (called “red ochre”) in paint.
Iolite A silicate material in various shades of blue (sapphire/blue violet), changing color depending on the angle it is viewed from. Rough deposits are found in India and Sri Lanka. The natural color is enhanced for uniform color saturation.
Sterling Fact: The Vikings used the mineral as a compass, aiding them in determining the direction of the sun on cloudy days
Iron Pyrite An iron sulfide used as the replacement mineral in fossils, resembling gold in color and texture, found in many types of rocks. Rough deposits in US include Utah, Illinois, Colorado, and Pennsylvania.
Sterling Fact: The material is also known as fool’s gold.
Jade (green varieties) A variety of two different rocks, called Jadeite and Nephrite, with a strength greater than steel. African Jade, with properties like those of opaque grossularite, comes in variations of avocado swirls. Lighter serpentine and sea green coordinate classically with pearls and cloisonné.
Sterling Fact: In Asia, jade is collected as an antique.
Jasper Chiefly red to reddish brown, a variety of the silica mineral chert. Its hardness and physical properties match the mineral quartz.
Sterling Fact: The altar of the Saint Wenceslas Chapel in Prague is adorned with Jasper.
Crazy Horse Combination of brown and soft pink with white drops. Kambaba Jasper Blend of mint green, forest green, black and brown, this stone derives from South Africa.
Landscape/African Medley of cream white, red, and various shades of brown, resembling bits of the African Landscape.
Rainbow Alternating stripes of red, brown, and tan, this stone is found in Northern Califronia and South Africa.
Red Brick red hue is similar to the color of pipestone, mined in Minnesota for several hundred years by the Plains Indians for the construction of pipes. Rough deposits from Australia and India.
Sesame Delicate combination of translucent to opaque white, with a swirl of mint green.
Turtle/ Leopard Skin Buff to orangish jasper resembling a leopard’s cover.
Kunzite Considered a relatively young gem, gemstone crystals of this pink or violet spodumene mineral were first found in California in 1902.
Sterling Fact: Fades in color if exposed to strong heat or light.
Kyanite Blue (sapphire-like hue) and green silicate mineral, thought to aid in self-expression. Rough deposits found in Austria, Brazil, India, Kenya, Myanmar, Serbia, Switzerland, United States and Zimbabwe.
Sterling Fact: The stone can absorb excessive surrounding radiation.
Lapis Lazuli A rock made up of lazurite, prized for its striking blue color. Often occurs with flecks of iron pyrite and calcite, as well as bits of purple sediment. Found in Afghanistan, Chile, and Russia.
Sterling Fact: The Egyptians used the powdered blue stone for eye makeup.
Lava (Beads) A solidified molten rock expelled from a volcano. Our black lava shaped oval beads are adorned with crystals.
Sterling Fact: All the lava from Mount Kilauea in Hawaii can pave a road 3 times around the earth.
Marcasite A pale, brass-colored mineral with the same composition as pyrite, but differing in crystalline structure. Significant deposits are found in North America, South America and Europe. Most of the marcasite is fashioned into rings, earrings, pendants, brooches, necklaces and bracelets.
Sterling Fact: Marcasite jewelry became fashionable in the Victorian era for its somber black hue.
Obsidian Naturally occurring black glass that forms when felsic lava cools rapidly through the glass transition temperature and freezes without sufficient time for crystal growth. Sharp and shiny, primitive tribes use the material for construction of knives, arrowheads, spearheads, and other weapons and tools. Rough deposits in Hawaii, Arizona, New Mexico, Japan, and Java, Indonesia.
Sterling Fact: When these dark stones are found in Arizona and New Mexico, they are called Apache tears.
Onyx A very fine Crystalline form of quartz (a variety of chalcedony), often with bands of alternating black and white stripes, also appearing in solid jet black. Rough deposits from Brazil.
Sterling Fact: Named after the Greek word meaning nail or claw, based on the Greek Myth that Venus’ nails were turned to Onyx stone by the Gods.
Faceted Contains facets or flat, polished surfaces.
Smooth Without facets.
Opal (Green) Mineral consisting of amorphous silica, this stone occurs in the fissures of rocks such as limonite, sandstone, basalt, and rhyolite. Comes in variations of light to medium creamy green.
Sterling Fact: Can form or replace fossils.
Pearls Hard, round objects produced by mollusks with natural and dyed fashion colors, and surfaces ranging from smooth to baroque.
Sterling Fact: Cultured pearls involve seeding the oyster or mollusk with a tiny grain of sand. The mollusk, in turn, excretes several layers of protective coating, creating a genuine pearl.
Swarovski Beads made of the Swarovski crystal come in a variety of colors
(see Swarovski).
Freshwater Come from freshwater mussels in natural and dyed colors.
Peridot A transparent variety of ovoline that only comes in the color green with a popularity that dates back to the Middle Ages. Depth of green depends on how much iron is found in the arrangement. Deposits from Arizona, China, and Australia.
Sterling Fact: Some of Cleopatra’s emeralds were peridots.
Petrified Wood A fossil whose organic materials have been replaced with minerals, such as quartz. During petrifaction, manganese, iron, and copper in the mud will tint the fossil’s hues. The majority of these stones are green/blue or black.
Sterling Fact: One of the greatest concentrations of petrified wood in the world is found in the Petrified Forest National Park in Northeast Arizona.
Quartz A mineral with a rhombohedral crystal system, appearing in several fine varieties. This stone is thought to aid in sleep and protect individuality.
Crystal Fine quality icy rock crystal called ”krystallos” by the Greeks, because it was thought to be ice that was eternally frozen.
Rose Dyed soft pink; feminine, with good to medium clarity.
Smoky Good clarity, mostly medium brown stone, with very few quartz type inclusions.
Tourmalinated Embedded with dark needles of tourmaline or actinolite in a clear quartz base. Rough from Brazil.
Sterling Fact: Quartz, also known as silica, makes up about 12% of the earth's crust.
Rhyolite An igneous volcanic rock, rich in silica with leafy, warm patterns of brown, green and cream.
Sterling Fact: Ryholite that grows too quickly to form crystals turns into obsidian glass.
Riverstone Round, naturally polished pebbles found in rivers and on beaches. Almond-colored presence lends tranquility to jewelry designs.
Sterling Fact: This stone is associated with generating physical energy, speeding up the metabolism, and alleviating anxiety.
Ruby A variety of corundum (aluminum oxide). Our gemstones are fuchsia to red, semi-transluscent and fine quality. They are mined in Africa, Asia, Australia, Greenland, Madagascar, and North Carolina.
Sterling Fact: Diamond is the only natural gem harder (according to the Mohs scale of hardness) than a Ruby.
Sapphire Vivid royal blue with subtle inclusions, like the Ruby, the Sapphire is a variety of the mineral corundum (aluminum oxide). It is considered “the stone of prosperity” and thought to eliminate frustration and advance success.
Sterling Fact: Though not as mainstream as the blue, Sapphires may come in a full range of colors, including pink, salmon pink, orange-pink, and purple.
Seed (Beads) Any small bead usually rounded in shape
Sterling Fact: Some of the oldest sizes and cuts of seed beads are made in France.
Serpentine Opaque to translucent form of magnesium iron silicate, a rock forming mineral. With light black and green swirl patterns. Thread patterns and occasional iridescent green form interesting nuances. Rough deposits from Africa.
Sterling Fact: Fine serpentine material is sometimes hard to distinguish between jade.
Sodalite Scarce, royal blue mineral, speckled with calcite. Rough is from Africa and Brazil.
Sterling Fact: One of the major minerals in lapis lazuli, it is often mistaken for the stone, but sold at a fraction of the cost.
Swarovski Luxury brand name of precision-cut crystal glass produced near Zurich, Switzerland.
Sterling Fact: In the 2004 film, Phantom of the Opera, the chandelier model is composed of Swarovski crystals.
Tanzanite A very rare variety of Zoisite, this stone has a deep blue-purple hue and good clarity. Rough deposits can be found in Tanzania.
Sterling Fact: Tanzanite is such a popular stone that its mining nets the Tanzanian government approximately USD $20 million annually and the US market $500 million annually.
Tourmaline (multi-colored) One of the most chemically-complex silicate minerals, its rainbow of colors range from deep pink to light green. Found in Afghanistan.
Sterling Fact: It was the first gemstone mined in the US (Mount Mica, Maine).
Turquoise A hydrate copper and aluminum phosphate, deposited from circulating waters. All Chinese turquoise are stabilized (treated to reduce porosity and absorbance of oils and pollutants).
Sterling Fact: Ancient doctors would place turquoise over the eyes to prevent blindness.
Blue/Green Rich, vividly colored stone, stabilized for hardness, color and resistance to chemicals such as chlorine.
Pink This color is unusual (it is dyed, rather than occurring naturally), emphasizing the veining in the gemstone.
Yellow The stone is really a jasper/serpentine blend, fixed with the trade name of “turquoise”. Good quality with color blends of gold, green, and black.
Other Natural Materials
Bone (Beads) Raw bones are made by hand in small factories, often in Indonesia.
Sterling Fact: Turning bone into beads is one of the most ancient practices of beading.
Glass Inorganic substance, produced by the rapid cooling of a liquid or solid, without sufficient time for a typical crystal pattern to form.
Sterling Fact: Before people learned to make glass, they would sometimes use forms of natural glass, such as skinny tubes called fulgurites (also, “Petrified Lightning”), which are the result of lightning striking sand.
Porcelain A vitreous ceramic material often made by heating materials such as clay at high temperatures.
Sterling Fact: First made by Chinese to withstand heat generated in their kilns.
Shell Handmade by carving hard outer covering of species such as mollusks
Sterling fact: The color of abalone shells depends on the type of algae eaten by the mollusks.
Baguette A narrow, rectangular-cut stone.
Bail A metal loop used to attach a chain or chord to a pendant, enabling it to hang from a chain or jumpring.
Baroque Bold, heavy ornamentation. If used to describe pearl or crystal, denotes irregular shape.
Briolette A teardrop or pear-shaped stone with facets.
Cabochon A dome-shaped stone without facets.
Channel Setting Method of stone setting that fits uniform stones into a continuous strip.
Celtic Designs with Ancient Irish, Gaelic, British, Scottish and Welsh origins.
Chaton A round, faceted stone.
Facets Flat, polished surfaces.
Figaro Chain Link chain design, which incorporates a pattern of three circular links with one long, oval link.
Filigree Interlacement of gold or silver wires into rosettes, spirals, scrolls, or vines.
Fleur-de-lys A fancy three-petal iris flower used as the armorial emblem of French Kings. Re-popularized by Napolean, it is often used as a charm/pendant.
French Wire Used mostly with dangling earrings, the curved wire resembles a fishhook and passes through the pierced earlobe.
Heishi Oldest form of jewelry in North and South America, pre-dating metals. Refers to shells which have been drilled, ground into beads, and threaded together to form necklaces.
Millefiori A mosaic-like flower pattern created by the fusion of several glass rods.
Opera Length A strand necklace 28 to 32 inches long.
Oxidation A chemical process, which tarnishes or blackens a metal due to its reaction to sulphur and oxygen.
Pavé Process of placing stones very close to each other (as in a “cobblestone”) so that very little metal shows between the spaces.
Pearlescent Iridescent; lustrous, rainbow-like colors occurring in such stones as the Mother of Pearl.
Riviere A necklace consisting of a single strand of uniform stones, with the same size and cut.
Screw back A type of earring attachment where the earring is tightened against the earlobe by means of a flat, round screw. For non-pierced ears.
Snake Chain In contrast to typical chains, snake chains consist of round, wavy metal rings joined side by side, forming a tube with a smooth, scaly texture.
Synthetic Gemstone produced in a laboratory, rather than found naturally, though they consist of the same chemical compositions as the natural stones. Emeralds, rubies, sapphires and opals are the most common of the type.
Toggle Clasp Process by which the bar and ring of a chain are fastened together so that the bar is slid through the ring and sits across it, securely.
Taking Care of Your jewelry
Your unique sterling silver pieces will last if they are given the proper care. A very mild soap and water solution is ideal for cleaning. Always use a soft polishing cloth (no tissue or paper towels!) when patting dry or polishing. Your jewelry should not be exposed to certain chemicals and dyes.
AVOID EXPOSURE TO THE FOLLOWING:
Household Chemicals Shower
Cosmetics Air/Light during storage
Hairspray Perfumes
Lotion Swimming Pool
Dishwasher
If you are not wearing your jewelry for extended periods of time, store in a cool, dry place. Place each individual piece separately in an anti-tarnish bag or wrap with a soft piece of felt or cloth, so that the jewelry does not risk scratching. Remember that exposure to air or light during storage may tarnish the jewelry. A piece that does develop a stubborn stain may be cleaned with a reputable brand of silver polish, unless it is a liquid silver piece (see instructions below). Pearls may also be especially sensitive to silver polish and receive the best care with mild soap and water.
Cleaning Liquid Silver
Traditional cleaners may deteriorate the threads of liquid silver. Using a cloth, rub each of the strands gently with baking soda. Shake to remove excess powder.
