Embossing
The process of raising a domed design on the front of a piece of metal by beating it from behind with punches and a hammer.
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Essential Resources
Tab Lock Clasp
An easy-open clasp which closes by inserting a tab into a slot of the other half of the clasp. This style is held shut by the weight of the jewelry itself.
Liver of Sulfur™
A sulfur- based oxidizing agent, used to create an antiqued finish on silver, copper and brass beads and components.
Swivel Clasp
A form of the Lobster Claw Clasp. The swivel allows the design to twist 360 degrees while the clasp stays in place, so they are ideal for bracelets and anklets.
Leverback Earwire
(also Hinged Earwire) A type of earwire which has a hinged locking mechanism at the bottom, for added security.
Crystal Passions®
A brand name for leaded crystal glass. Crystal Passions® products are renowned for their color, brilliance and high quality.
Setting
A frame, container or cage designed for the placement of faceted gemstones or cabochons.
Lavalier
A pendant with one stone, suspended from a necklace.
Sautoir
A long necklace, usually made of pearls or beads and often ending in a tassel. Popularized in the 1920s.
Lost Wax Casting
Discover lost wax casting: a jewelry-making technique where a wax model is encased in plaster, melted away to form a mold and filled with metal.
Satin
A form of weaving that creates a material with a glossy surface and a matte back. Commonly used in formal dress material, ribbon and cording.
Luster
How light interacts with a surface. Originally used for gemstones like pearl and opal, it's been expanded to include a glossy sheen on materials like glass.
Stick pin
A straight pin worn vertically on a scarf or tie, which has some kind of ornamentation on the top. Explore Stick pin products.
Stabilized/Stabilization
Stabilization is the use of a colorless bonding agent (commonly plastic) with a porous gemstone to give it durability and improve appearance.
Lariat
An open-ended necklace that is held together by a flexible element such as a drop or ring. Length is 48 inches or longer.
Sterling Silver-Filled
Made by combining an outer layer of sterling silver (.925/20) around a copper-alloy core. Completed with an anti-tarnish coating to preserve its beauty.
Liquid Silver/Liquid Gold
A group of identical silver (or gold) tube beads strung in an uninterrupted group of strands. The jewelry created this way looks like flowing, liquid metal.
Firing Gemstones into Art Clay®
Adding gemstones to metal clay can increase the appeal of a piece, but it's important to know how the stones will react. This article discusses how to fire different stone types.
Springring Clasp
A popular spring-loaded clasp used with a jumpring or chain tab. It comes in a multitude of sizes, for single-strand to multi-strand designs.
Loop-Closing Pliers
Pliers with an internal groove, allowing for the curvature of varied loops. These pliers are used to smoothly close loops, jump rings, bracelet links and more.
Split Ring Pliers
Pliers with a small hook on one tip, designed to open split rings just enough for use. The split ring can then close without distorting or warping the metal.
Split Ring
Double-wire ring findings, similar to those on a keychain, used to connect jewelry-making components. Stronger and bulkier than an equivalently sized jump ring.
Link
A component that connects one component to another, or to a single loop in a chain. A link has the same amount of loops or holes on each end.
Spacer Bar
Jewelry finding used to hold multiple strands of beads in alignment and prevent tangling, are inserted at intervals while stringing the beads.
Snap Lock Clasp
A low-profile clasp that is less likely to tangle or snag on clothes or hair than other styles. It folds shut, closing securely and locking with a quiet snap.
How to Form a Wire Spiral
Jewelry-making expert Tammy Honaman shows you how to form a wire spiral with step-by-step instructions. This simple technique makes a decorative addition to any design repertoire.
Semiprecious Stones
Natural stones that generally have a lower value than precious stones, including amethyst, aventurine, carnelian, garnet, opal, rose quartz and others.
Silver Plate
A fine silver film deposited on a base metal by electrolysis, in the same kind of electrically-charged bath used to make gold electroplate.
Silver-Filled
A mechanical bonding with a silver alloy of at least 92.5% fineness, which must be at least 1/20th of the metal in the piece. Also called silver overlay.
Saltwater Pearl
Pearls created by a farmer, who inserts a "seed" of mother-of-pearl into a saltwater oyster. The oyster coats the seed with layers of nacre, creating a pearl.
Slide Lock Clasp
A clasp consisting of a set of tubes, one of which slides inside the other and locks into place. See also Multi-Strand Clasp.
Shore Hardness
Three different scales ranging from 10-100 for measuring the resistance of gels, rubbers and plastics to indentation.
S-Hook Clasp
A double-ended clasp shaped like an "S." Available in many sizes and styles, some with two rings. Pinch or pull the arm of the "S" to close or open the clasp.
Loomwork
(see also Bead Weaving, On-Loom) The process of using seed beads woven between the warp threads on a Beading Loom, to create a design or pattern.
Seed Bead
A uniformly shaped significantly small bead used for beading and jewelry-making. Seed beads are available in a myriad of colors, finishes and sizes.
Scatter Pin
A small pin usually a bird, insect, or flower worn in groups. Popular in the 1950s.
Screw Clasp
A low-profile clasp with a threaded closure, which is twisted or screwed to open and to close. See also Bead, Barrel and Torpedo Clasp styles.
Scarab
Uncover the profound symbolism of the scarab, an ancient emblem revered for millennia to embody soulful concepts and spiritual significance.
Riviere
Necklace of stones, either all the same size or graded from a large central stone.
Rattail
2mm satin cord.
Lampworked Glass
A type of glasswork, commonly seen in beads or focals, that uses a gas-fueled torch to melt glass rods and tubes of glass to create patterns and designs.
Alloy
A blend of elements to create a new metal, usually in order to add strength and durability. Argentium™ silver is an alloy of silver, copper and germanium.
Polishing
The process in the last stage of metal finishing in which a rotating instrument is dipped in a polishing substance. Increases shine and eliminates flaws.
Pliers
A precision hand tool used for a variety of purposes in jewelry-making: to hold objects firmly, to cut or bend wire, to crimp or flatten components and others.
Pickle
A liquid applied to a metal surface that removes surface impurities (such as stains, scale, rust and more).
Palladium
Palladium is a dense and lustrous, precious white-silver metal. A cousin of the platinum metal group, this rare metal is popular for fine metal jewelry.
Nymo
Nylon beading thread produced by the Belding Corticelli Company. Extremely fine thread popularly used in seed bead on-loom and off-loom bead weaving projects.
Nylon Jaw Pliers
A pair of pliers with attached nylon contact surfaces. Ideal for gripping round, square, twisted, coated, plated and precious metal wires during wireworking.
Antiqued
Metal beads and components which have a human-created patina which alters the surface colors and gives the appearance of age.
Electroplating
Coating a metal surface by means of electrolysis. The amount of electroplate on an object is measured in microns (one micron = 0.001mm).
Antique Finish
(see also Antiqued) A patina created on metal beads and components that alters the surface colors and gives the appearance of age.
How to Create a Half Persian 3-in-1 Chainmaille Weave
Looking for a new style of chainmaille to add to your jewelry-making repertoire? Learn to create a half Persian 3-in-1 weave with these instructions.
Antique
An item, regardless of quality, which was manufactured 100 or more years ago.
Lobster Claw Clasp
A self-closing clasp in the general shape of a lobster's claw. However, this spring-loaded clasp is available in a range of shapes, sizes and styles.
Intaglio
Decoration made by carving or engraving a design into a gem or other hard material. Intaglio is the opposite of cameo.
Annealing
Heating metal in order to activate, increase or change its strength, hardness, ductibility and other traits.
Enamel
Colored, opaque glassy material fused onto metal, pottery or glass.
Forming Wire Coils
Create wire coils with tools, gadgets and forming devices designed to make consistent coils for limitless jewelry-making. Have fun choosing from all the different wires to then make different coils.
Inlay
To set pieces of wood or ivory, for example, into a surface, usually at the same level, to form a design.
Anklet
A form of bracelet, usually chain, worn around the ankle. Anklets made of leather or fiber are increasingly popular.
Kevlar
A synthetic fiber used in bulletproof vests and adapted to jewelry-making for its high strength in relation to its thickness. Resilient to changes in heat.
Engraving
A pattern made by cutting away the surface of metal, wood or other surface.
Kidney Earwire
A type of earwire which loops through the ear and has a small hook on the bottom to latch the wire closed for added security.
Nuggets
Large, tumbled freeform pieces of gemstone or glass.
Jumpring
A piece of wire formed into a loop, usually round, and used to connect jewelry components. Jump rings are offered in round, oval, triangle, square and more.
Needle
A length of metal with a small hole on one end used to draw stringing material through beads and components, or used to draw thread through textiles.
End-Cutting Nippers
A pair of pliers with metal-cutting blades, ideal for cutting thicker posts, pegs or wires.
Jig
(usually Wire Jig or Wireworking Jig) A plate or frame with moveable pegs used for creating standardized and repeatable wire-based jewelry components.
End Cap
A finding which allows for a bead, component or stringing material to be inserted or otherwise attached inside it.
Nickel
A silver-white metal popular for plating because it is malleable and resists oxidation. The most common of metal allergies.
Adjustable Cord Necklaces, Bracelets and Anklets
Follow this handy tutorial to learn how to take a pair of cords and a focal and turn them into an eye-catching adjustable necklace!
Matte
A dull finish, particularly on metals.
Hexagon Bead
A hexagon bead is usually a flat bead, with a drill hole that runs from one of the six sides through the middle of the flat bead to the side directly opposite.
Armature
A framework around which a sculpture is built. Large clay pieces may use armatures to reduce firing time and to stretch more expensive materials.
How to Create a Pondo Stitch
Join Rose in this easy beading tutorial to learn the Pondo stitch—a versatile and uncomplicated technique perfect for designing popular seed bead bracelets, necklaces, and more. Discover the joy of creating stunning beadwork with this step-by-step Pondo stitch guide.
Hex-Cut Bead
Seed bead with six sides, giving it a hexagonal shape. Available from many manufacturers, in a variety of colors, sizes and finishes.
Matinee Length
A single-strand necklace ranging from 20 to 25 inches in length.
Mousetail
1.5mm satin cord.
Mosaic
An image or pattern created by using small colored pieces set in mortar.
Mandrel
A wood or metal form used to shape metal into a desired shape and size, or to size rings or wrist bangles.
Manchette Bracelet
A broad bracelet in the form of a cuff.
Memory Wire
A steel wire which holds (remembers) its preformed shape. Memory wire jewelry does not require a clasp, using wire tension to keep jewelry on.
Multi-Strand Clasp
A clasp which secures jewelry with two or more strands. Some styles are accented with gemstones, enamel or inlay work. Can be called by a myriad of names.
Flat-Nose Pliers
A pair of pliers with smooth, flat jaws, used to bend wire, stabilize beads and components, flatten wire, create sharp corners in wireworking and more.
Rosary Pliers
Pliers created by blending Round-Nose Pliers with Side-Cutting Pliers. Round-Nose Pliers create round loops and curves. Side-Cutting Pliers cut wire smoothly.
Rosary
A particular configuration of beads and components used in the Roman Catholic religious belief.
Resin
A solid or semi-solid organic (carbon based) material, either natural or synthetic. In general, non-soluble in water.
Iris
An iridescent color, coating or finish which creates a play of colors on its surface. Similar to AB finish, iris has a darker, shorter spectrum of color play.
Aurora Borealis (AB)
Named for the northern lights, aurora borealis is a term for crystal stones that have a highly iridescent surface. Often abbreviated to AB.
Repousse
Patterns or decorations achieved with punches or chasing hammers.
Rope necklace
Long, single-strand continuous necklace, 37 inches or longer.
Round-Nose Pliers
A pair of pliers with round jaws, used to create curves and loops in a range of diameters in headpins, eyepins and other metal wire.
Rondelle Bead
A flat or disc-shaped bead. Typically round, rondelles are also available in square or triangular shapes.
Rivoli
A round crystal component which is faceted to a point on both sides.
Rhinestone
Originally quartz sourced along the Rhine. Today, it means colorless potash-and-lead glass that contains lead crystal quartz. Also called strass, diamante.
Rhodium
An expensive whitish-gray metallic element from the platinum family.