Jewelry Manufacturing Terms - Explained

If you have ever shopped for jewelry, you have likely encountered numerous seemingly foreign terms which describe the way particular pieces of jewelry are crafted. You have probably heard jewelry industry terms such as handmade, electroplate and gold filled, and wondered what these terms are actually supposed to be telling you. By understanding commonly used terms which describe the way jewelry is made, you will be a more educated jewelry consumer and able to make informed decisions when purchasing fine jewelry such as necklaces or eternity rings. Below are explanations of some common terms that will give you insight into the construction of particular pieces of jewelry:

-Cast: Cast jewelry makes up a majority of the jewelry you will see for sale in stores and online. Casting is a widely used jewelry manufacturing process in which metal is poured or forced into a mold, called a die, making it assume the shape of the cavities of the mold. The metal then cools and hardens in the desired shape, at which point it is called casting.

-Die Struck: Denser and thus more resilient than cast jewelry, die struck jewelry is formed by compressing precious metals into shape by striking or stamping them using harder metal dies. Requiring specialized equipment and more production time, die struck jewelry is more costly than cast jewelry.

-Handmade: Just as it sounds, jewelry marked handmade has been constructed entirely by hand without the aid of mechanical devices. All major components of handmade jewelry have been individually crafted by hand, and no machine manufactured parts may be incorporated into jewelry designated as handmade. Handmade jewelry can be relatively costly but is highly sought after due to its uniqueness.

-Gold electroplate: Jewelry carrying this description is composed of a non gold base metal coated with a layer of at least ten carat gold. In order to be classified as gold electroplate, the layer of gold must be applied to the base metal through an electrolytic process and measure at least 0.175 microns (about seven millionths of an inch) in thickness.

-Gold filled: Gold filled jewelry is also comprised of a base metal coated with at least ten carat gold, though the gold coating of gold filled jewelry is bonded to the base metal mechanically through the application of heat and pressure. Gold must comprise at least 5% (or 1/20th) of the weight of a piece in order to be classified as gold filled. You may also see gold filled jewelry referred to as gold overlay or rolled gold plate.

About the Author: Ian Maher is the CEO of Maliere, a leading provider of eternity rings, diamond rings, platinum rings and gold rings. For more information, please visit http://www.Maliere.com

Gems and Jewelry
The word jewelry is derived from the word jewel, which was anglicized from the Old French "jouel" in around the 13th century....

White Gold vs Platinum Jewelry
Jewelry pieces are available in a wide array of metals. Perhaps the two most common metals which one will see with jewelry ar...

Jewelry
Jewelry is not only an expression medium unique to any particular individual, but jewelry also reflects the grace and the lif...

Know The Facts Before Purchasing Bridesmaids Jewelry
Bridal attire and accessories account for 10% the cost of the average wedding. Making the right choices for the wedding is im...

Karat Vs Carat - Making the Distinction
Without being a jewelry industry expert, the jumble of industry specific terms you encounter while shopping for engagement ri...

Estate And Antique Jewelry - What You Need To Know
Estate jewelry is a term used to describe second hand, or previously owned jewelry. Estate jewelry is often confused with an...

Fine Jewelry - Where To Buy Fine Jewelry For Her?
Are you thinking of buying a fine jewelry for your lover? If yes, do you know where to get quality fine jewelry? Let me just ...

Protect Your Watch Collection In Style With A Watch Box
Whether youre an avid watch collector or simply own a few inexpensive watches, you need a watch box to keep your watches in g...

Fine Jewelry - How To Get The Right Fine Jewelry For Your Her
Women are attracted to fine jewelry. Therefore if you want to please your woman, fine jewelry is your best bet. But what kind...

Fine Jewelry - Caring for Your Fine Jewelry To Make Them Last
Fine jewelry needs extra care to make them preserve its beauty and making it to last longer. If you just leave your fine jewe...

Your Status and Your Jewelry
Many people view their jewelry as somewhat of a status symbol. They feel that their jewelry will speak to others about who t...

Fine Jewelry Tips - How to Store Old Jewelry
The temptation of buying a piece of fine jewelry is always there; where you may end up buying a lot of jewelry that you only ...

That Special Piece of Jewelry
For most women, jewelry is at the top of their list of things that they need for their daily life. You will not find many Da...

Jewelry Shopping Checklist - Enjoy Your Purchase
This jewelry shopping checklist provides you with the more important information you should get from a jeweler. When shopping...

Fine Jewelry - Why Buy Fine Jewelry on The Internet?
There are lots of fine jewelry retailers on the Internet whereby they offer a wide range of fine jewelry. Jewelry is a univer...

Fine Jewelry Tips - Fine Jewelry Shopping Tips
It is always fun to shop for the decorative accessories no matter whether you are looking for fine or fashion jewelry. The mo...

Where To Find Discount Body Jewelry
The latest fashion trend that fuels the desire to have a body piercing is due to the wide variety of jewelry offered on the m...

Choosing Your Favorite Jeweler
There are many different jewelry stores that offer many different things. Each store will generally offer their own special ...

Fine Jewelry the Gift of Wealth
Fine jewelry is jewelry that is made from precious metals like gold, silver, and platinum, embedded with precious gemstones. ...

Jewelry Storage Tips
Did you know that some jewelry boxes can actually do more harm than good? Are you storing your jewelry the right way? Imprope...