Jewelry Vocab Words

Jewelry Repair Vocabulary

• Soldering: The process of joining two or more pieces of metal together by melting a filler metal into the joint.

• Polishing: The act of smoothing and shining surface metal to enhance appearance and remove scratches.

• Prong Setting: A method of securing a gemstone in place using small metal claws that hold the stone above the mount.

• Bezel Setting: A technique where the gemstone is surrounded and held in place by a metal rim that wraps around its edges.

• Resizing: The process of altering a ring's size to better fit the wearer.

• Barrel Clasp: A type of clasp that consists of two interlocking pieces that twist to secure.

• Repair Tool Kit: A collection of tools used by jewelers to perform repairs, including pliers, files, and soldering equipment.

• Stone Replacement: The process of removing a lost or damaged gemstone and replacing it with a new one.

• Gemstone Setting: Techniques used to secure gemstones within a piece of jewelry.

Jewelry Vocabulary

• Soldering: Joining metal pieces using melted filler metal.

• Polishing: Smoothing and shining metal surfaces.

• Prong Setting: Securing gemstones with metal claws.

• Bezel Setting: Surrounding gemstones with a metal rim.

• Resizing: Altering a ring's size for a better fit.

• Barrel Clasp: Interlocking clasp that twists to secure.

• Repair Tool Kit: Collection of tools for jewelry repairs.

• Stone Replacement: Replacing lost or damaged gemstones.

• Gemstone Setting: Techniques to secure gemstones in jewelry.

Jewelry Equipment Vocabulary

• Jewelers' Saw: A fine-toothed saw used to cut metal and other materials while creating jewelry.

• Bench Pin: A flat surface anchored to a workbench that provides support for sawing, filing, and other jewelry-making tasks.

• Pliers: Hand tools used for gripping, bending, and cutting metal wire or other materials.

• Files: Tools with a rough surface used to smooth and shape metal edges.

• Mandrel: A tapered tool used to form and resize rings.

• Torch: A device used to provide heat for soldering and melting metal.

• Calipers: Measuring tools used to determine the thickness and diameter of objects accurately.

• Clean-Up Station: A designated area equipped with tools and solutions for cleaning and polishing finished jewelry pieces.

• Ultrasonic Cleaner: A device that uses high-frequency sound waves and cleaning solutions to clean jewelry pieces thoroughly.

Jewelry Saws and Drills Vocabulary

• Jeweler's Saw: A fine-toothed saw specifically designed for cutting metal and other materials in jewelry making. It allows for intricate designs and precise cuts.

• Piercing Saw: A type of jeweler's saw used for creating small, detailed holes in metal. It is ideal for starting cuts in the center of the material.

• Saw Blade: The thin, sharp blade that is inserted into a jeweler's saw frame, available in various tooth configurations for different materials and cutting requirements.

• Drill Bit: A tool used with a drill to create holes in hard materials, available in various shapes and sizes for different applications.

• Flex Shaft: A versatile tool that provides rotational power and is used for drilling, polishing, and engraving, often featuring interchangeable attachments.

• Pin Vise: A small hand-held device used to grip small drill bits for precision drilling in jewelry work.

• Burr: A rotary tool attachment for drilling or shaping metal, available in various shapes for different applications.

• Micro Drill: A very small drill used for creating tiny holes in jewelry and metal components, often utilized in delicate work.

• Drill Press: A stationary tool that provides greater precision for drilling holes in various materials compared to handheld drills.

Jewelry Files and Hammers Vocabulary

• Jewelry Files: Tools with a rough surface used to shape, smooth, and finish metal edges. Available in various shapes (flat, half-round, round) for different applications.

• Filing: The process of using files to remove material and refine the shape of metal pieces.

• Hammers: Tools used in jewelry making for shaping or texturing metal. Includes various types like:

  • Plastic Hammer: Used to shape metal without marring its surface.

  • Ball Peen Hammer: Features a rounded end for creating curves and textures in metal.

  • Chasing Hammer: Mainly used for metal forming and engraving, possessing a flat face and a rounded face for different effects.

• Dapping: The process of using a dapping block and punch to create curved shapes or domes in metal sheets.

Jewelry Workstation Vocabulary

• Workbench: A sturdy table for performing jewelry-making tasks, equipped with tools and materials.

• Lighting: Proper illumination essential for detail work, often featuring magnification for precision.

• Tool Organizer: A system or storage for keeping tools and materials neatly arranged and accessible.

• Dust Collector: A device used to keep the work area clean by capturing metal shavings and debris during the working process.

• Anvil: A heavy block used as a surface for shaping or hammering metal.

• Draw Plate: A tool used for pulling metal wire through holes to reduce its diameter and improve its finish.

• Safety Equipment: Includes goggles, gloves, and masks to protect the jeweler from hazardous materials and processes.

Jewelry Pliers Vocabulary

• Chain Nose Pliers: Pliers with a slender nose used for grasping small objects and making loops in wire.

• Flat Nose Pliers: Pliers with flat, wide jaws used for bending, flattening, and holding metal without damaging the surface.

• Round Nose Pliers: Pliers that taper to a point, used for creating loops and curves in wire.

• Cutting Pliers: Pliers specifically designed for cutting wire and metal elements cleanly.

• Bent Nose Pliers: Pliers with angled jaws, allowing easier access to tight spaces for gripping and bending.

• Snipe Nose Pliers: Pliers with long, pointed jaws, ideal for precision work in tight spots.

• Crimping Pliers: Pliers used to compress or shape metal components, commonly used for securing beads and making connections.

Jewelry Tweezer Vocabulary

• Flat Tip Tweezers: Tweezers with flat, broad ends used for gripping and holding flat items or delicate materials without causing damage.

• Pointed Tip Tweezers: Tweezers that have sharp, pointed ends ideal for picking up small objects, such as gemstones, during intricate work.

• Curved Tip Tweezers: Tweezers with a slight curve at the tip, used for reaching awkward angles and grasping items in tight spaces.

• Dumont Tweezers: Precision tweezers known for their high-quality construction, particularly effective for detailed tasks in jewelry making.

• Steel Tweezers: Durable tweezers made from stainless steel, offering corrosion resistance and longevity for everyday jewelry tasks.

Jewelry Metals Vocabulary

• Gold: A precious metal known for its value and resistance to tarnish. Often alloyed with other metals for strength and color variations (e.g., yellow, white, rose gold).

• Silver: A highly malleable and ductile metal, prized for jewelry-making. Sterling silver (92.5% silver) is commonly used.

• Platinum: A dense, malleable metal that is highly resistant to tarnish and wear. Often used in high-end jewelry due to its durability and rarity.

• Palladium: A member of the platinum group, lightweight and resistant to tarnish, often used as an alloy for white gold.

• Copper: A base metal often used to strengthen other alloys and give jewelry a warm color.

• Bronze: An alloy of copper and tin, known for its strength and hardness, often used in vintage and artistic jewelry designs.

• Brass: An alloy of copper and zinc, typically used for costume jewelry due to its gold-like appearance but is more affordable.

• Titanium: A strong and lightweight metal used for contemporary jewelry, valued for its strength and hypoallergenic properties.

• Zinc: A metal used in some alloys that can strengthen other metals, though not typically used in pure form for jewelry.

History of Jewelry Vocabulary

• Etrusacan: style of jewelry making that involves intricate methods, notable for its granulation techniques

• Granulation: process of covering the surface of metal with tiny gold balls

• Antique: valuable from age and rareity

• Estate: presiously owned nut may not be old enough to be considered an antquie

• filligree: delicate method of jewelry design characterized by intricate metal work, popular in the 20th century

• Amuletic: worn for special powers

• Scarab: dung beetle - power of life