Glossary of Terms

When we use these words on our website, this is what we mean:

18K Yellow Gold: “Karat” is a unit of fineness for gold equal to 1/24th part of pure gold in an alloy. We use 18 karat gold, a higher proportion of gold in the alloy than the more commercial 14K or 10K, because of its luscious yellow color. Also, as our gold wears, it tends to pick up a satiny sheen, rather than obvious scratches.

Anvil: A heavy steel-faced block used as a surface for shaping metal.

Artist-made: Anything referred to as “Artist-made” has been designed and executed in our studio; it is specifically an original design or structural element, and not one purchased commercially, or swiped from a commercial design.

Bezel, bezel-set: A method of setting stones whereby a thin band of metal surrounds a stone and encloses the edge of the stone. This may be among the oldest style of setting stones in the world. We often use White Gold Tubing to create our Studio-made bezels.

Bright Silver: This means naked Sterling Silver, without any chemical agents applied which would produce a black patinated surface. It is usually mentioned in opposition to Oxidized Sterling, which has been treated with a chemical agent. The resultant blackened surface is intentionally “speed-tarnished.”

Baroque Pearl: A pearl is formed when a bivalve mollusk deposits a lustrous material over an irritant. The Baroque Pearls we use measure approximately 9-10mm in length, and have a high lustre. Each is grown individually, but we do match them as much as possible in our pieces.

Briolette: A vertically-oriented stone designed to be seen from all sides, cut in a particular form with numerous facets to achieve a special brilliance.

Crocheted Metal: the Artist uses a small steel crochet hook, or needle, to pull stitches in very fine wire, as if to make a fabric. The resulting “fabric” can be used in many ways, from cords without a core, to a surface “skin” over a fabricated form.

Fine Silver: Silver that is 99% pure, as differentiated from Sterling Silver, which is an alloy of 92.5% pure silver, in addition to copper, zinc and other metals. Fine Silver is softer than Sterling, and is therefore better suited to the crochet technique used in Uncommon Threads designs., in terms of both production and wearability.

Fabricated: A metalsmithing technique that involves soldering separate pieces of metal together to form a new piece. A small torch burning oxygen and acetylene to create an adjustable flame is what we use in our studio.

Forged: A metalsmithing technique whereby the surface, and sometimes shape, of metal is changed by hammering.

Freshwater Pearls: A pearl is formed when a bi-valve mollusk deposits a lustrous material over an irritant. The Freshwater Pearls we use in our work measure approximately 2-3mm in length, and have a high shine. They should be kept away from most chemicals when possible. If they should lose their luster, rub the pearl surface with olive oil or a natural body lotion.

Mandrel: A metal studio tool with a tapering cross-section, used for shaping metal.

Oxidized Sterling Silver: Sterling which has been treated with a chemical agent, which produces a rich blackness on the surface of the metal. The resultant blackened surface is intentionally “speed-tarnished.”

Patina: a chemical reaction on the surface of metal which results in the metal turning a color other than that in its clean state; “patina” can be used interchangeably with “oxidized.” We use our patina chemicals to highlight various areas of our designs.

Sterling Silver: A commonly-used alloy in jewelry design, Sterling Silver is composed of 925 parts pure silver and 75 parts copper and other metals.

Studio-made: Anything referred to as “Studio-made” has been designed and executed in the Artist’s studio; it is specifically an original design or structural element, and not one purchased commercially, or swiped from a commercial design.

Toggle Clasp: A bracelet or necklace closure consisting of a stick that fits into a circle only when pushed through in a certain position. When the stick is allowed to rest in its own way, it becomes too long to come out of the circle without intention.

White Gold: An alloy of gold and other metals that creates a white-colored alloy; the White Gold we use has a dark gray look, almost like platinum, and a slight yellow cast.