Glossary - S
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- Safety Clasp
- A secondary clasp on a piece of jewelry designed to help prevent loss. Squeeze the arms of the hook to release, then turn the hook to the side and slide the hook from the lock. If the hook accidentally releases, your necklace will remain secured by the safety catch.
- Sapphire
- Sapphires are in the corundum family of stones, the same one as rubies. In general, if the corundum is red, it's a ruby, all other colors are sapphires with blue and pink being the most common. Sapphire is the second hardest gem after diamond. Sapphire is the birthstone for the month of September.
- Saturation
- This term refers to the color purity, or the degree to which the gem color is free from brown or gray hues. The most desirable gemstones, which show very little gray or brown, are often described as having vivid or strong color saturation.
- Scintillation
- A general term referring to the flashes of light seen when a diamond moves. Also used to describe the patterns of light and dark areas seen in a diamond.
- Screw Back
- A threaded post and screw used on earrings. Screw backs offer a measure of security for more expensive earrings by holding them more securely in place.
- Semi-Mount
- A setting that is complete with the exception of the center or main diamond.
- Setting
- Setting is the general term for the way a diamond or gemstone attached to the piece of jewelry.
- Shank
- The part of the ring that encircles the finger. Strictly speaking, the shank of the ring does not include the head.
- Shape
- The geometrical form a gemstone takes on after it has been cut. The most common shapes of gemstones are round, oval, radiant, princess, square, as well as pear-shaped or heart-shaped.
- Sidestone
- A diamond or gemstone set alongside, or as part of a group of gemstones encircling a center stone.
- Solitaire
- Solitaire is the general descriptor of a single diamond or gemstone, mounted alone on the band. The setting varieties could include bezel, prong, or other styles.
- South Seas Pearl
- Large pearls known for their unique luster qualities, created by oysters in the waters off Australia, Myanmar, Indonesia, and the Philippines. Full strands of matched round South Seas pearls are rare and are more expensive than other types of pearls.
- Sparkle
- A common term used to describe the fire and scintillation displayed in a diamond.
- Spherical (Pearl)
- Round in shape.
- Spots
- A surface blemish or small discoloration on a pearl. Pearl spots will not affect the pearl's structure but it may affect the price of the pearl.
- Spread
- The face-up appearance of the diamond in terms of size; never to be confused with the actual carat weight of the diamond. Diamonds with Ideal cuts have an equal weight and spread.
- Spring Ring
- The spring ring is opened when the arm of the clasp is pulled backwards. The pressure of a tiny spring keeps the arm closed.
- Star Facet
- Any one of the eight small, triangular facets found next to the table in a diamond's crown.
- Star Length Percentage
- Seen from the top of a diamond, the horizontally projected distance between the table edge and the point of a star facet.
- Sterling Silver
- Sterling silver is one of the most popular, affordable, durable jewelry metals. While natural silver is harder than natural gold, silver must still be alloyed before it can be successfully used in jewelry. Copper is commonly alloyed in a ratio of 75 parts copper to 925 parts silver. If stamped, sterling silver will display the mark 925, Ster., or Sterling
- Stud Earrings
- A simple earring style featuring a single gemstone, pearl, or metal ball set on a straight post.
- Surface Markings
- Imperfections on the surface of a pearl. Often described as spots, blisters, or indentations.
- Swarovski Crystal
- Swarovski Crystal is well known for its purity and brilliance.
- Symmetrical
- A term used to describe a pearl with similar characteristics on opposite sides.
- Symmetry
- How facets align with each other. In round diamonds, the larger the difference in dimensions, the greater the disparity in the symmetry. In general, differences in symmetry result in loss of light. Aspects which may affect symmetry include off-center tables and culets, unequal facets, the thickness and consistency of the girdle and the flatness of the facets.
- Synthetic Diamond
- Diamonds that are produced in a laboratory. They have the same chemical composition as their natural counterparts and are much less expensive.
- Synthetic Gemstones
- Gemstones that are produced in a laboratory. They have the same chemical composition as their natural counterparts and are much less expensive. The most common gems to be synthesized are emeralds, rubies, sapphires and opals.
