Ice Pick Bail
Similar to a prong bail, it will create a loop to attach a chain to when the prongs are closed
into a cross-drilled pendant.
Inclusion
A naturally occurring flaw, (feather, fracture, fissure, carbon spot, or cloud), within a
diamond or other stone. The test for clarity looks for these flaws.
Inlays
To set pieces of wood or ivory, for example, into a surface, usually at the same level, to form
a design.
Inside Color
The surface layer is clear while the color adhered to the inside shows through the clear layer.
Intaglio
Decoration made by carving or engraving a design into a gem or other hard material.
Intaglio is the opposite of
cameo.
Iolite
Iolite is a violet-blue transparent gemstone, but can be deep blue, light blue-gray,
and yellow-white.
Iridescent
Transparent, opal or opaque coating with a durable, multicolored shiny finish applied by
fuming metal salts onto the hot glass to form a permanent bond.
Iris
An iridescent coating with multiple hues, usually on dark, opaque beads.
Irising
Bead decorative process, when beads put in vat of lacquer with tiny metallic particles. Firing
burns off the lacquer, leaving metallic coat.
Ivory
A hard, smooth yellowish-white substance made from the tusks of elephants and walruses.