Labradorite and Moonstone Drop Earrings with Black Onyx in 18kt Gold

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."

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

MOONSTONE: named for the white reflection that mimics the reflection of moonshine. Typically polished and featuring a cabochon cut, moonstone's light-catching shimmer is perfect for fine jewelry. In Europe, moonstone is the birthstone for June.

PEAR: Similar to the outline of a pear fruit, this is a round shape that comes to a point on one side.

CHECKERBOARD: A technique that creates a contrast of dark and light when light hits the pattern of square or diamond-shaped facets.

ONYX: A favorite of the ancient Greeks and Romans, this gemstone adds a sophisticated shine to rings, necklaces, bracelets and earrings. A dyed form of chalcedony, onyx is most popularly found in black although it can be green, white or red, as well.

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

OVAL: An elliptical shape that resembles an egg.

LABRADORITE: A unique mineral named for the Canadian region where it was discovered. Labradorite glows with an aura called labradorescence, causing it to shift in color depending on the viewing angle.