Nacre: The shiny
iridescent substance secreted by a
mollusk as a response to an irritant,
like a piece of sand. Over time layers of nacre build up to become a
pearl.
Naja: (or "Najah") From the Navajo word "Najahe",
meaning "crescent". A crescent-shaped silver
ornament believed to go back to Moorish designs that was originally a forehead
pendant on horse bridles. It is now
commonly found pendant from the bottom of a
squash blossom necklace.
Navette: See
marquise.
Necklace: A form of
jewelry worn around the neck. See
Bolo, Chain,
Choker,
Collar, Diva Fashion,
Fetish Necklace,
Heishi, Hemp,
Jocla,
Lariat, Lavalier,
Length,
Matinee Length, Mourning Jewelry,
Opera Length,
Rivière,
Sautoir, Squash Blossom Necklace,
Y Necklace.
Needle Point: Stones shaped to a fine point at
both ends.
Negligee pendant: See
Lavalier.
Neoclassical: New designs inspired by
artistic elements from classical antiquity, such as urns, garlands,
greek key,
palmette.
Nephrite: A compact variety of
tremolite and a form of
jade. Often called "greenstone" though it
can also be found in shades of grey, brown, and black.
Nickel: A hard, bright, silver-white
metallic
element of the
iron group that is malleable, ductile, and
resistant to corrosion.
Nickel Silver: An
alloy of nickel,
copper, and
zinc, which is a white metal but
contains no actual silver.
Niello: A black
metallic
alloy of sulfur,
copper,
silver, or lead, used as
inlay for an incised design on the surface
of another metal. Niello refers to both the
substance and the process.
Nonmetallic: A material which is not
composed of metal.
Non-precious: Any
metal that is not considered to be a
precious metal or any
gemstone that is not considered to be a
precious gemstone.
Nose Stud: A simple style of
jewelry for pierced nostrils that has a
single stone, pearl, or
metal ball on a straight
post.
Nugget: The term used for a lump, or
irregularly shaped mass, of precious
metal.
Copyright 2007
