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SOLID:  When an object is referred to as solid bullion, this means it is not plated or filled but that its interior composition is identical to its exterior. Bullion can be either heavily or lightly alloyed. “Solid gold” is not necessarily 24K.

STERLING:   The minimum standard of purity of fineness of English silver, 925 parts pure silver to 1000 parts

SYNTHETIC:  A man-made material with the same physical, chemical and optical properties as the natural. Not to be confused with imitation.

TABLE:  The uppermost plane surface of a cut diamond. Like the other plane surfaces, the table is also a facet.

TROY WEIGHT:  The system of weights commonly used in England and the United States for gold and silver. One pound equals 12 ounces, 1 ounce equals 20 pennyweights (dwt) and 1 pennyweight equals 24 grains (gr).

VERMEIL:  Gilded Silver

WHITE GOLD:  24 karat yellow gold alloyed with nickel to make 10, 14 or 18 karat white gold.

WHITE:  Misleading term meaning colorless or clear. Derives probably from the fact that in olden times white was not recognized as a color but as the absence of color. A really white diamond, smoky or cloudy, is not nearly as desirable as clear.

ZIRCONIA, CUBIC:  Synthetic material from which imitation diamonds are made. Extremely difficult to distinguish from a natural diamond, except for a very experienced appraiser or though us of special

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