Jewelry Glossary and Gemstone of Terms

- V -

Variscite

Variscite is a relatively rare phosphate mineral which is sometimes confused with chrysocolla or the greener forms of turquoise. Colors are light bluish green, medium and dark greens. It often contains patches of white, gray or brown matrix, has a waxy luster and takes a fine polish. Mohs scale of hardness 3.5 - 5.

Vermeil

Vermeil is gold-plated sterling silver. Gold-plating of base metals such as brass or bronze are sometimes erroneously referred to as vermeil. When base metals are plated with thin layers of gold, they should be referred to as gold plated, not vermeil. (Pronounced: ver-may)

Victorian

Belonging to the period of the reign of Queen Victoria of England (1837-1901). Jewelry of the Victorian period was highly ornamental.

Vitreous

The term used to describe a gem that has a glassy luster.

A  B  C  D  E  F  G  H  I  J  K  L  M  N  O  P  Q  R  S  T  U  V  W  X  Y  Z