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."

ROCK CRYSTAL: A sparkling, clear gemstone, rock crystal has been valued for thousands of years for its beautiful shine and versatility. For jewelry designs, rock crystal can be cut to offer the same icy appeal of a diamond, at a fraction of the cost.

QUARTZ: From the icy shimmer of rock crystal quartz to the delicate pink of rose quartz to the moody hues of smoky quartz, this gemstone offers something for everyone. Quartz, found in endless colors and varieties, is a popular choice for bracelets, necklaces, rings and earrings.

SQUARE: A symmetrical shape with four equal sides.

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

TOPAZ: Available in a stunning selection of shades, the topaz's sky blue hue is one of the most popular colors for jewelry designs. Once thought to offer protection, today topaz is favored for its durability and affordability. Yellow topaz is the birthstone for November while blue topaz is for December.

RHODOLITE: Rhodolite charms in a range of feminine shades — from rose to raspberry to purplish-red. Lighter than a ruby, rhodolite garnets offer a lovely, romantic look. Rhodolite can be a delightful twist on the traditional January birthstone.

PERIDOT: the birthstone of the month of August, peridot is only found in one color: green. Historians are now convinced that some, if not all, of the emeralds that Cleopatra was famous for wearing were not actually emeralds but deep green peridot stones from Egypt.

CITRINE: A member of the quartz family, citrine symbolizes cheerfulness and prosperity. Its name is derived from the French word citron meaning lemon. This sunny stone comes in colors from lemon yellow to amber brown, with its coloring agent attributed to iron. Citrine is the birthstone for November.

AMETHYST: A natural variety of quartz, amethyst ranges in color from deep purple to pale lavender, and even to warm greens. Amethyst has been used during meditation to provide a sense of spiritual balance. Amethyst is the birthstone of February.