Jewelry Glossary - T

• Table
  The flat facet on the top of a faceted gem.
• Tang
  The end of a graver or file which fits into the handle.
• Tank
  Reservoir. The pan for holding the coolant/lubricat of a slab saw.
• Taps
  Metal taps with matching dies are used for threading items such as ear screws.
• Template
  Sheets of plastic or metal with cutouts of various sizes and shapes of cabochons for outlining on stone.
• Tensile Strength
  The property of a metal to be stretched without tearing apart.
• Third Hand
  A stand for holding items to be soldered.
• Thrumming
  Buffing inaccessible areas with a string or cord.
• Tiffany Mount
  A prong setting for a faceted stone mounted on top of the ring shank, allowing more light.
• Tiger Tail
  Nylon-coated bead wire.
• Tin Lap
  A soft metal lap used for faceting.
• Tin Oxide
  A popular polishing powder.
• Titanium
  Lightweight refractory metal used for contemporary jewelry.
• Torpedo Clasp
  Also barrel clasp. Metal parts screw together for a lock.
• Toughness
  The property of structural particles of a gem material to cling together to avoid breakage.
• Transfer Block
  Also transfer jig. The block which makes it possible to align dopsticks for transferring a gem being faceted.
• Translucent
  Gem material which transmits light but is not clear enough to see through.
• Transparent
  Gem material in which the interior can easily be seen and which one can see through when it is held to the light.
• Tri-Color Gold
  Jewelry made with three colors of gold -- yellow gold, rose gold, and green gold (usually).
• Tri-Cord Knotter
  A device for making quick, uniform knots in necklaces of pearls or other beads.
• Trilliant
  A modern, curved triangular brilliant cut, originally 44 facets.
• Trim Saw
  An electric saw for rough shaping of cabochon blanks from slabs of gem material.
• Tripoli
  Silicon dioxide polishing powder.
• Trivet
  A metal stand used to hold work during the process of fusing (such as enamel) to metal.
• Troy Weight
  System of weight for precious metals. One troy ounce equals 1.10 avoirdupois ounces.
• Tubing
  Formed by pulling a metal strip through a drawplate and used for hinges, clasps, and links.
• Tufa
  Porous rock formed as a deposit from springs or streams.
• Tumbler
  A rotary or vibratory machine which will produce finished stones from tumbling rough.
• Tumbler Charges
  Measured grits, powders, and sometimes additives used in the tumbling process.