Jewelry and Gemstone Glossary of Terms

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Nacre

The smooth, iridescent substance formed around a grain of sand or other foreign matter in the shells of certain mollusks. Over time, these layers build up to form a pearl.

Nephrite

See Jade

Nickel Silver

Nickel silver (also called German silver) is a white metal alloy of 70% copper, 20% zinc and 10% nickel. It contains no silver. Many people are allergic to nickel and because of this, the use of nickel silver in jewelry has been outlawed in some countries. See alloy.

Niello

Niello is a black alloy of silver, copper, lead and sulphur. It is used to fill engraving, imparting an inlaid effect after the metal is fired and polished. See alloy.

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