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**Glossary**

Rhodium
Rhodium is a rare, silvery-white precious metal known for its high cost. It is commonly used to plate base and precious metals, giving them a bright, platinum-like finish. Most rhodium production comes from South Africa.

Vermeil
Vermeil, a French term adopted into English in the 19th century, is sterling silver plated with gold (at least 10K). To qualify as true vermeil, the gold layer must be at least 1.5 micrometers thick.

Cubic Zirconia (CZ)
Cubic zirconia is an inexpensive, lab-created stone used as a diamond alternative. Mohs hardness: 8.

Crystal Glass (CG)
Crystal is high-quality glass containing at least 10% lead oxide. The lead increases clarity, giving it a rock-crystal look. English glassmaker George Ravenscroft developed lead crystal in 1676. Colours come from metal oxides added during melting.

Gold Plating
Gold plating applies a thin gold layer to another metal (often silver or copper) for a brighter, longer-lasting finish. Tarnish can still develop over time due to metal reactions; plating thickness and process quality affect how long it resists.

Karat
Karat (kt/K) measures gold purity. See the chart below.
Karat    Percent gold
24 kt    100%
18 kt    75%
14 kt    58.3%
12 kt    50%
10 kt    41.7%

Mohs Scale
In minerals and gemstones, “hardness” primarily means resistance to scratching, and to a lesser extent resistance to cutting. The Mohs scale orders materials by scratch hardness and remains in common use.
Mohs scale (examples)
Material    Mohs hardness
Diamond    10
Ruby, sapphire    9
Chrysoberyl    8.5
Spinel, topaz    8
Aquamarine, emerald    7–8
Zircon    7.5
Tourmaline    7–7.5
Garnet    6.5–7.5
Amethyst, chalcedony, quartz    7
Steel (pocket knife)    7
Jade    6.5–7
Peridot    6.5
Moonstone    6–6.5
Opal    5.5–6.5
Turquoise    5–6
Lapis lazuli    5–5.5
Glass    5
Iron    4
Azurite    3.5–4
Bronze, coral, pearl    3
Gold    2–3
Amber, fingernail, ivory    2.5
Shell, jet    2.5
Talc    1