12mm Cultured Mabe Pearl Drop Bali-Style Earrings in Sterling Silver and 18kt Yellow 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."

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.

WIRE: sometimes called "shepherd's hooks" or "fishhooks," earwires are a thin, hook-shaped earring backs. They thread onto the ear and can sometimes be squeezed into place or held on with a rubber clutch.

MABE PEARLS: With their big, showy dome, mabe pearls offer all the glamour of South Sea pearls at a much more affordable price. Cultivated with a flat back, mabe pearls are a favorite for fine earrings, rings and pendants.