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."

SNAP-BAR: An earring with a hinged post insert that "snaps" into a clamp to hold it in place.

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.

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.

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.

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.

TOURMALINE: the "gemstone of the rainbow" comes in a dizzying array of colors and is usually created from more than a dozen elements, making it perfect for jewelry. The most popular tourmaline is deep pink, and a true favorite is watermelon... a gem of green and pink together.

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.