Originally quartz from the gold washings along the Rhine river. Today, generally means colorless potash-and-lead glass that contains quartz in the form of melted lead crystal and is cut like a diamond. Also called strass, diamante.

Also called Hook-Style Clasp. A clasp with a hook on one side and an open loop on the other. The loop is usually circular or oval, but other open shapes can be used. Possibly the oldest style of clasp in the world. Can include Adjustable Clasp, Crimp Clasp, Magnetic Clasp and Multi-Strand Clasp styles.

The intricate ball patterns are created through a process called granulation. Tiny uniform ball shapes are fashioned into precision patterns, heat fused onto the surface, then carefully antiqued and polished, creating a visual masterpiece.

Fishes that have a neutral grey background with bluish or purplish tinges, sometimes referred to as "black chrome." Its name derives from a particular alloy of copper, bronze and zinc, which was originally used in gunmaking, though many alloys currently use the gunmetal designation as it is currently based on appearance. The original alloy (also known as "red brass," patinaed over time to a near-black shade of grey. Gunmetal alloy is resistant to corrosion from steam and salt water. There are many alloys called "gunmetal."

Also called essence d'orient. A crystalline substance extracted from fish scales and combined with acrylic resins. Used to make imitation pearls. In better imitations, the essence is applied over opaline glass beads; in cheaper imitations, over plastic beads. Discovered in 1565 by Jaquin, a French manufacturer of rosaries, when he accidentally dipped some pearls into water in which he had washed fish. Refined versions today produce spectacular results.

Follow along with Sue Ripsch, renowned chainmaille artist, as she walks through the steps to create what she calls Sputnik earrings, a pair of chain mail earrings made with various jumprings and a bicone bead.

This design is called "Thrill of the Fight," but there's no struggle involved in making your own version when you follow our step-by-step instructions.

Polymer clay guru Christi Friesen calls this little doggo a lump mutt. See how to make this adorable new pet using polymer clay— complete with perked ears, studded collar and little red tongue. Written instructions included below video.

Lisa Pavelka, mixed media artist extraordinaire, shows how easy it is to give any flat surface a glass-like effect for jewelry making, even if it doesn’t have a bezel wall, thanks to the self-leveling UV resin called Magic-Glos®.

(also called Cat's Eye Glass) This glass gets its name from its similarity to Cat's Eye Quartz and the unique way the two materials refract light. The whitish "eye" or line resembles the oblong center of a cat's eye.

(also called fire polish) A process in which beads are machine faceted, then polished by glazing inside a red-hot glass oven. This softens the edges of the facets and gives the beads a smoother feel than machine-polished crystal beads. Fire-polished beads traditionally originate in the Czech Republic.

(also called bullion) Tightly coiled, fine wire that forms a flexible tube. It is used by jewelry makers to conceal and protect stringing materials from abrasion by metal jewelry findings, especially the clasp. Also sewn onto fabrics in textile embellishment projects and used as a spacer material with high-end gemstone beads.

(also called Bohemian glass or Bohemian crystal) Glass, usually in the form of beads, created in the Czech Republic. Historically, Bohemia was a district in the former Czechoslovakia and has been famous for its glass-making since the 13th Century.

(also called Fiber Optic Glass) Created with manmade fiber optic glass, cat's eye refracts light in a way reminiscent of the oblong center of a cat's eye. This center appearance of movement is caused by chatoyance, which is defined as changeable luster or shine.

A cultured pearl originally non-nucleated, grown in a freshwater mussel from Lake Biwa in Japan. Only those actually produced there should be called Biwas; others are simply called freshwater cultured pearls.

(also called Cheyenne stitch or Comanche stitch) An off-loom bead-weaving technique used by many cultures across the world. In brick stitch, beads are woven together similarly to how bricks are stacked in a brick wall.

(also called Bola tie or Bolo tie) A type of necktie popular in the American Southwest, created using a length of cord fastened with a clamping slide finding, and finished with metal bolo tip ends. The finding is often hidden by a cabochon, carving or other large design motif.

Colorful sugar skulls, called calavera, are a staple in Día de los Muertos celebrations. This rainbow calavera is adding some wonderful color to a stainless steel chain.

Calling on inspiration from ancient Egyptian jewelry trends, Ezartesa found a beautiful balance of classic meets modern with her seamless blend of color and geometric shapes.

Radiate warmth while wearing this jewelry set. Cubic zirconia beads and drops in rich tones call to mind hot summer days and cozy campfire evenings.

Peridot chips dangling within elegant curved frames call out to East Asian architecture and design, forming a set that's both aesthetically and symbolically pleasing.

Call this design a fine specimen. Experiment with custom metal shapes and the organic patterns of extinct creatures to create your own fossilized fashion.

Cubic zirconia drops with AB finish call to mind the northern lights over a frozen landscape, beautifully accented with sterling silver.

Zinc is a pure metallic element, listed on the periodic table as Zn, which is commonly used in metal jewelry components. Zinc is found in alloys such as brass (a mix of copper and zinc) or used as an anti-corrosion coating over other metals. The process of using zinc as an anti-corrosion coating over iron or steel is called "galvanization."