Blue Aventurine Drop Earrings with Mixed Gemstones in Sterling Silver

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."

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

AVENTURINE: This unique gemstone can contain small inclusions of shiny minerals that give off a glistening, light-reflecting shimmer. Aventurine, sometimes mistaken for green jade, is often presented as cabochons or beads in fine jewelry designs.

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

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

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.

HEXAGON: A symmetrical shape with six equal sides.

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.