Multi-Gemstone and 5.25 ct. t.w. Prasiolite Drop Earrings in 18kt Gold Over Sterling

18KT: Karat (abbreviated kt or K) is a unit that indicates the purity of gold in the metal. 18kt is 75% gold. In Europe, 18K yellow gold is most favored and used in jewelry.

YELLOW GOLD: Gold is a precious metal with a natural yellow color. It is quite soft and often alloyed with other metals to increase its strength. The purity of the metal is indicated by a unit called a "karat," with 24kt having the highest percentage of natural gold.

STERLING SILVER: Also known as "Standard Silver," sterling silver is silver alloyed with other metals to increase the hardness and durability. Generally, sterling is 92.5% silver and 7.5% other metals. Some sterling silver jewelry is plated with 14kt-18kt gold and referred to as "vermeil," or "gold over sterling."

POST/CLUTCH: An earring with a post insert and a slide-on clutch backing to hold it in place.

PRASIOLITE: A warm- to yellow-green variety of quartz. It is a rare gemstone in nature and often the color comes from the process of heat treatment. It is sometimes referred to as green amethyst or lime citrine.

AVENTURINE: This unique gemstone can contain small inclusions of shiny minerals that give off a glistening, light-reflecting shimmer. Aventurine, sometimes mistaken for green jade, is often presented as cabochons or beads in fine jewelry designs.

SHIELD: A contoured and pointed figure inspired by the shape of a battle shield or coat of arms.

CHALCEDONY: a family of minerals that is often milky gray or bluish in color. Chalcedony includes a number of stones including onyx (black), carnelian (waxy red), agate (wide ranging palette) and bloodstone (brownish red.)

PEAR: Similar to the outline of a pear fruit, this is a round shape that comes to a point on one side.

CHECKERBOARD: A technique that creates a contrast of dark and light when light hits the pattern of square or diamond-shaped facets.

Nephrite: One of the two mineral species of jade composed of magnesium-rich amphibole (a silicate mineral). Popularly used in China, the decorative gemstone primarily comes in light to dark green, although it can be found in yellow to brown, white, black or gray. The color is often mottled.

CABOCHON: A style of cutting gemstones to achieve a smooth, domed surface with an absence of facets.

PREHNITE: An intriguing green gemstone, prehnite ranges in color from apple green to yellow green and can have either a shiny or pearlescent luster. Once quite rare, prehnite is now a popular gemstone for rings, necklaces, bracelets and earrings.

OVAL: An elliptical shape that resembles an egg.