Base Metal: Metal which is not precious (i.e. gold, silver, etc.) such as lead, bismuth, tin, copper, etc.
Bezel: A ring or band of metal that surrounds a cabochon or faceted stone. Also, the rim of metal surrounding the watch dial (or face).
Birthstone: A rock or gemstone corresponding with the calendar month of birth or a sign of the Zodiac.
Brass: Brass is a combination of copper and zinc. It’s usually 67% copper and 33% zinc.
Bronze: Bronze is an alloy of 90% copper and 10% tin.
Cloissane: A technique in which colors of a design are separated by thin metal strips which are attached to outline the design. Then the areas are filled in with colored enamel and heated at high temperatures to fuse the enamel to the surface.
Copper: Copper is a soft metal which can tarnish quickly. Most copper beads are actually pewter or brass coated in copper. It tarnishes quickly, so it should be stored in an airtight container.
Copper (Enameled): Enameled Copper is soft copper coated in a layer of colored enamel.>
Gold Filled: Gold filled is a layer of gold surrounding a base metal.
Gold Plated: The gold layer is not less than 10 karat fineness and the minimum thickness of the plating is one-half micron (or approximately 20 millionths of an inch) of gold.
Lab Created GemStones: created in a lab are chemically, physically and optically identical to those mined underground — but they have fewer flaws, a lighter carbon footprint and cost less, too.*
Lampwork: Lampwork beads are the result of a type of glasswork where artists use gas-fueled torches to melt rods of glass. Once the glass is molten, the artist forms the beads by blowing and shaping with tools and specific hand movements.
Pewter: Pewter is a silver white mixture of at least 90% tin with antimony and copper. Although historically lead was used in the process of making pewter, it is not legal in the United States.
Sterling Silver: Sterling silver is a combination of 92.5% silver and 7.5% copper or associated metal. Because silver is such a soft metal, adding other metals increases its strength and durability. To minimize the silver from tarnishing, either store in an airtight container, or wrap in anti-tarnish tissue.
Silver Filled: Silver filled is a layer of sterling silver that has been mechanically bonded to a brass or copper alloy core. It is more scratch resistant than silver-plated jewelry.
Silver Plated: For economical reasons, silver plating is made by using inexpensive base metal which has been coated with a thin layer of silver.
Surgical Steel: Surgical Steel is a stainless steel made of chromium, nickel, and molybdenum.
Vermeil: Vermeil is sterling silver which has been gold plated.
Sea Jasper set in Sterling Silver Bezel
Sources: http://www.bernardine.com/glossary/c.htm, http://www.letsbead.com/metals-defined.htm, http://207.32.183.129/default/jewelry-terms-glossary?___store=default
*http://www.jewelrywise.com/just-for-you/article/what-you-need-to-know-about-lab-created-stones