2.90 ct. t.w. Peridot and White Enamel 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."

ENAMEL: Enamel is a glass-like colored coating which is applied or "painted" over the surface of a piece of metal, ceramic or glass. Enamel is made from powdered glass or an epoxy resin material.

LEVER: An earring backing with a hook-shaped insert and a hinged leverback to hold it in place.

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.

MARQUISE: An elliptical shape that comes to a point at the top and bottom. Sometimes referred to as a "navette."