Glossary

This is a list of some of the terms and abbreviations used.

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G.I.A.

The Gemological Institute of America ( G.I.A.) is a highly respected, not for profit organization, devoted to the promotion of education and ethics within the jewelry industry. G.I.A. also has a laboratory used to grade and identify gemstones.

Garnet

A group of closely related minerals. Garnets can be found in a wide array of colors and occur in deposits around the globe. The birthstone for january is garnet.

Gemstone

A gemstone can be organic (amber, coral, pearl) or inorganic (mineral, such as diamond, emerald, ruby, etc.).

Genuine pearl

A smooth, round growth formed naturally within the shell of a mollusk due to an irritant; used as a gem.

Girdle

The outermost edge of a gemstone where the pavilion and crown facets meet. Usually the area of gem where the mounting assembly secures the gem into a jewelry piece.

Gold

A heavy, yellow, metallic element used for coins and jewelry since prehistoric times.

Gold filled

The jewelry is not actually filled, but is made of base metal (usually brass or copper) covered by sheets of gold in a mechanical bonding process.

Gold plated

A thin coating of electroplated or mechanically plated gold on top of a base metal.

Gold tone

Jewelry done in a gold color.

Golden finish

Jewelry done in a finish so that it has the look of gold.

Grain

The standard unit of weight once used for natural pearls. Four grains are equal to one carat.

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