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.

GOLD OVER STERLING: Sometimes referred to as "vermeil," this metal is gold-plated sterling silver. It is one of the most desirable gold-plated metals and can come in 14kt-24kt yellow, white, or rose.

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

APATITE: This gemstone is found in many colors, from shades of the sea and sky to vibrant greens and yellows. Apatite lends a distinctive glow to necklaces and earrings, especially when used in multi-gemstone jewelry settings.

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.

SQUARE: A symmetrical shape with four equal sides.

CUSHION: A gemstone that features a rounded square shape. The facet arrangement can be either a type of modified brilliant cut or a checkerboard pattern.

CULTURED PEARLS: Likened to the moon, pearls have been valued for their luminous glow and natural beauty for thousands of years. Today, high-quality cultured freshwater pearls make pearl jewelry affordable to all. Pearl is the traditional birthstone for the month of June.

NEAR-ROUND: A pearl that visually appears almost round.

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

STABILIZED TURQUOISE: Stabilized turquoise is natural turquoise that has been treated with a clear epoxy, resin, or hardening agent in order to protect the stone's color and prevent it from fracturing.