African Trade Beads: old beautifully colored irregular beads manufactured in Europe then later traded with the natives of the Continent of Africa. Many are several 100 years old.

Aurora Borealis (AB): A coating applied onto a crystal bead to accentuate the crystal’s light scattering properties.

Bali Silver: A type of sterling silver from Bali, Indonesia mixed with silver alloy for a grayer coloration.  A small amount of copper is added for more hardness.

Bali Silver Beads: Exquisitely detailed silver beads handmade in Bali, Indonesia.

Bugles: Long and slim glass beads (tubules.) These can be straight or twisted.

Briolette: An oval or pear-shaped glass bead with its entire surface cut in angels (facets) creating a beautiful sparkle.

Cabochon: Flat-backed and unfaceted gemstones or glass.

Crystals: Glass beads containing a high lead content. The higher the lead content, the more brilliant and the more expensive it is.

Swarovski Crystals:  are hand-cut in Austria. These contain a higher lead content than Czechoslovakian and Chinese Crystals.

Filigree: Delicate decorative open-work made from thin twisted wire in silver, gold or platinum.

Findings:  The little parts, usually metal, used to attach parts of jewelry designs together.

Frit: Glass ground into small granules ranging from fine powder to coarse chunks. It is used to decorate glass beads still in the molten state.

Lampwork: Glass-working using a gas-oxygen torch to melt and shape the molten glass onto a thin rod. The process began in ancient times using oil lamps, thus the term lampwork.

Mandrel: Metal rod (usually stainless steel) onto which molten glass is wound and shaped.

Multifaceted Bead: a bead with many facets or sides.

Seed Beads: A family of small glass beads resembling tiny plant seeds (hence seed beads)available in many sizes and shapes. Japanese (Toho) seed beads are more regular in both size and shape than those from Czechoslovakia.      

Semi Precious Stones: Gemstones (natural stones) such as Amethyst, Carnelian, Garnet and Jasper etc. Includes all stones used for jewelry except diamonds, emeralds, sapphires, and rubies in general.

Vintage Beads: A bead which is no longer manufactured but considered to be about 50 years old and may have been used in a previous jewelry design.