Cabochon
A cabochon is a gemstone which has been shaped and polished as opposed to facetted. The
resulting form is usually a convex top with a flat bottom.
Cameo
Carved gem or shell, in which the carved design stands out against a background of a different color.
Cameo is the opposite of
intaglio.
Cane Glass
Solid lengths of glass formed by drawing, then cut into the desired length particularly for decorative
purposes. They can be different colors and patterns, displayed either on the side or in cross section.
Cape Amethyst
A form of
amethyst layered or striped with milky quartz.
Carat
The unit of weight used for precious stones; one carat equals 1/5 of a gram or 3 and 1/16 grains.
The diamond carat is subdivided into 100 parts or points; thus, a fifty-point diamond is equal to 1/2
of a carat. The
carat is not related to the term
karat that is a unit of the fineness or
purity of gold.
Carnelian
Carnelian is an orange to red or reddish-brown variant of chalcedony.
more info
Cat's Eye
Glass that reflects light in a way reminiscent of a cat's eye.
Cat's eye
Translucent yellowish chatoyant chrysoberyl is called cymophane or cat's eye. This variety of
chrysoberyl exhibits pleasing chatoyant or opalescence that reminds one of an eye of a cat. Some
people call cat's eye any of a variety of gems, such as some forms of chalcedony, that are
chatoyant when cut in a rounded shape.
Ceylon
A pearl luster finish. Sometimes the color of this bead fades when exposed to strong sunlight.
Ceylon Pearl Bead
Bead made of alabaster glass, either lined or dyed, then lustered.
Chain
A strand of linked loops, rings, or beads used for bracelets or necklaces. Popular types of chain
include:
- Book chain
- Box
- Butterfly
- Byzantine
- Cable
- Cuban
- Curb
- Figaro
- Figogucci
- Foxtail
- Herringbone
- Marina
- Mariner
- Mesh
- Omega
- Panther link
- Rolo
- Rope
- San Marco
- Serpentine
- Singapore
- Snake
Chain Tab
Metal tab stamped with metal content designation.
Chalcedony
Chalcedony is a family of various types of colored quartz, often with a milky appearance:
agate,
jasper,
carnelian,
chrysoprase,
onyx,
bloodstone,
aventurine, etc. The name chalcedony usually refers to semitransparent or translucent
chalcedony with a solid color, commonly white to pale blue to gray to purple, sometimes nearly
brown or black. Other shades have been given different names: sard (carnelian) is a clear red
chalcedony, prase is a dull green variety, plasma is bright to emerald-green, sometimes with
yellow spots of jasper, and so on.
Chandelier Earring
An earring with a drop suspended like a chandelier. Also called a drop earring or a dangle earring.
Charlotte Bead
Charlotte Bead is a rocaille bead with ground facet(s).
See also ROCAILLE BEAD...
Charm
Small ornament worn as pendants or on bracelets.
Charoite
Charoite is a rare mineral, found only in Siberia, Russia. Charoite is a gemstone of translucent
intense lavender to purple color. It has an unusual swirling, fibrous appearance, sometimes chatoyant,
and pearly luster.
Chatelaine
An ornamental chain, pin or clasp, usually worn at a womans waist, to which trinkets, keys, a purse, or
other articles are attached. Also used to refer to pins with two figures linked together by a chain.
Chatoyant
A stone having a changeable luster due to the way it reflects light, such as the cat's eye or tigereye
gemstones.
Chevron Bead
Chevrons Bead are made of multiple layers of different colored glass in corrugated layers so as to form
a starburst pattern when viewed on end. They are next ground at the ends to display the patterns.
Chlorastrolite
Chlorastrolite is a green or bluish green stone, usually with finely radiated or stellate masses,
also known as greenstone.
Choker
A tight-fitting necklace that is worn close to the base of the neck or wraps tightly around the throat.
May be plain or with pendants or ornamentation. Measures 12" to 16".
Chrysoberyl
A rare, hard, yellow-green mineral in crystal form. It is popular as a gemstone for its chatoyant
qualities. There are three main varieties of chrysoberyl: ordinary yellow chrysoberyl,
cat's eye
or cymophane, and
alexandrite.
Chrysocolla
Chryscolla usually occurs as a bright green or bluish crust. Crystals intergrown with quartz or with opal.
Chrysolite
A mineral used as a gemstone. Chrysolite ranges in color from a light green to a deep olive green
and an oily shine. Also called
night emerald,
olivine, and
peridot.
Chrysoprase
An apple-green colored variety of chalcedony.
Citrine
Citrine, also called citrine quartz or citrine topaz, is an amber-colored gemstone.
more info
Clasp
A clasp is a hardware device that mechanically joins or affixes two or more objects together, including:
- Barrel Clasp
- C-Clasp
- Donut Clasp
- Fish-hook Clasp
- Floating Clasp
- Fold-over Clasp
- Lobster Clasp
- Locking Clasp
- Parrot Clasp
- Snap Clasp
- Spring Clasp
- Toggle Clasp
- Trigger Clasp
- Tube Clasp
Clear Rock Crystal
Clear Rock Crystal - clear, colorless quartz. Also called
clear quartz.
more info
Clear Quartz
Clear Quartz - clear, colorless quartz. Also called
clear rock crystal.
more info
Clip-back Earring
A hinged ring with a pad, called a comfort back, at one end to secure the earring to the earlobe without
requiring that the ear be pierced.
Cluster Earring
A decorative earring made up of a cluster of glass and/or metal beads and stones.
Cluster Ring
A ring featuring a central gemstone surrounded by a number of smaller stones.
Cloisonne
The technique of decoration by enameling in which a design is outlined on a metal plate with bent wire or
metal strips of rectangular-section wire that are affixed edgewise to the metal base and the spaces filled
in with the colored enamel that are then fused.
Collar
A necklace worn close around the neck. Also called
choker.
Cone
Necklace terminator or beading finding used to bring multiple strands together at one point to attach
a clasp or be part of the design.
Coral
Corals are marine animals and exist as small sea anemone-like polyps, typically in colonies
of many individuals. They are major contributors to the physical structure of coral reefs.
more info
Corundum
A gem mineral of crystallized aluminum and oxygen.
Ruby and
sapphire are the most
valuable corundum.
Crimp Bead
Small soft metal beads that are squeezed shut to secure clasps onto the ends of cords or chains.
Crystal
In our case the term "crystal" refers to solid objects that exhibit well-defined and often pleasing
geometric shapes.
Cubic Zirconia
Synthetic gemstone developed in 1977 to simulate a diamond.
Cultured Pearl
It is not a
natural pearl. A tiny irritant like a bead, grain of sand, or a piece of
mother of pearl from another mollusk can be inserted into the opening of an oyster or mollusk.
It can take five to seven years to secrete enough nacre to cover this irritant to produce
a jewelry quality pearl.
Cut Glass
Any glass whose surface has been cut into facets, grooves and depressions by a large, rotating wheel.