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.

CABLE: One of the most popular and classic of chain styles, created from interlocking oval links unvarying in size.

LOBSTER CLASP: named after the pinching style of the hook, this clasp is often shaped like a lobster's claw. Use your finger to work the lever to open the clasp.

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.

AGATE: a variety of chalcedony, agate covers a rainbow spectrum of colors from black and gray to brown, pink, blue and yellow. Agate can be textured and exhibit a variegated layered stripe effect, which makes it a wonderful stone for carved cameos and beaded necklaces and bracelets.

OVAL: An elliptical shape that resembles an egg.

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

BUTTON: A pearl that is circular in shape with a flat bottom and a flattened or domed top.

GARNET: the birthstone of January. One glance at the deep red seeds nestled inside of a pomegranate explains why the word "garnet" comes from the Latin word "granatus," meaning "grain" or "seed." This name was given to the garnet because of its close resemblance to the succulent seed.