Italian Lapis and Blue and White Glass Bead Sea Life Necklace in 18kt Gold Over Sterling. 18"

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.

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.

LAPIS LAZULI: This blue stone is comprised mainly of lazurite, often with white calcite inclusions and metallic pyrite flecks. Known as the stone of friendship and truth, lapis is said to encourage harmony in relationships.

GLASS: A delicate, translucent to transparent noncrystalline material made by fusing sand with other materials , such as soda and lime, and then cooling it quickly. Glass is used in anything from windows to drinkware. In jewelry, glass is used for ornamentation, to make doublets, and to simulate gemstones.

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