Glossary - F
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- Face-Up Appearance
- The overall appearance of a diamond when it is viewed from the top. The description factors include the brightness, fire, and scintillation of the diamond in both fixed and tilted positions. This is a component of the cut grade, as determined by the GIA.
- Facet
- The flat polished surfaces on a diamond or gemstone. Accurate facets are a primary factor in the amount of sparkle and fire a diamond displays.
- Fancy-Colored Diamond
- Natural, fancy-colored diamonds are graded on a different color scale than white diamonds, and can be much more expensive. Fancy-colored diamonds come in a broad spectrum of colors.
- Fancy-Shaped Diamond
- Used for all shapes that are not round brilliant. This includes princess, emerald, pear, heart-shaped and more.
- Feather
- A tiny fracture or fissure inside a diamond that often resembles a feather. The feather may be impossible to see with the unaided eye in diamonds with higher clarity grades, and may be hard to find even under the 10X magnification of a jeweler's loupe.
- Filigree
- A metalworking technique that creates intricate scroll and curlicue patterns. Filigree is often used to make decorative necklace and bracelet clasps.
- Finding
- A general reference to all of the components jewelers use to make a piece of jewelry, such as clasps , bails, hooks, etc.
- Finish
- A description of the care that went into finishing the diamond, as evident in its polish and symmetry. This is a component of the cut grade, as determined by the AGSL.
- Fire
- The flashes of colored light reflected back from within a diamond, comparable to a prism. In general, higher grade diamond cuts refract more colors when turned in the light.
- Fluorescence
- A reaction to UV light. Fluorescence is graded from None to Very Strong. A fluorescence grade of Very Strong can make a diamond with a near-colorless grade look even whiter and could, in some instances, give the diamond a slight hazy or oily appearance. Diamonds with a strong or very strong fluorescence are priced slightly lower than other diamonds.
- Four Cs
- The general characteristics by which diamonds are judged for quality; Cut, Color, Clarity, and Carat weight. The Four Cs are a useful starting point for learning more about diamonds.
- French Wire
- An earring back style, especially for dangling or drop earrings. A curved wire resembling a fish hook that is passed through a pierced ear.
- Freshwater Pearl
- A cultured pearl produced by mollusks that are cultivated in freshwater. Freshwater and saltwater mollusks differ in that freshwater pearls can produce several pearls at once, and the pearls do not need to be initiated with an irritant.
- Friction Post
- Post and tension indentation rings on the back prevent the earring from slipping off.
