DCA DCA Ring Settings & Jewelry Metals 1 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What does '18K' mean when stamped on a gold jewelry piece?
- The gold is 75% pure (18 parts gold out of 24) (Correct answer)
- The gold is 100% pure gold
- The gold has 18 milligrams of alloy per gram
- The piece weighs 18 karats total
Correct answer: The gold is 75% pure (18 parts gold out of 24)
18K gold means 18 parts out of 24 are pure gold, making it 75% gold by weight, with the remaining 25% being other alloy metals.
Question 2: Which type of ring setting holds a diamond using four or six thin metal prongs?
- Prong setting (Correct answer)
- Bezel setting
- Channel setting
- Pavé setting
Correct answer: Prong setting
A prong setting uses thin metal claws (typically four or six) to secure the diamond while allowing maximum light exposure to enhance brilliance.
Question 3: What is a 'bezel setting'?
- A metal rim that completely surrounds and holds the diamond (Correct answer)
- Tiny prongs that hold multiple small stones
- Parallel metal walls that hold stones in a row
- A setting where the diamond is sunk into the metal
Correct answer: A metal rim that completely surrounds and holds the diamond
A bezel setting features a custom-formed metal collar that encircles the entire girdle of the diamond, holding it securely in place.
Question 4: What is 'platinum' most valued for in fine jewelry?
- Its durability, hypoallergenic properties, and natural white color (Correct answer)
- Its low melting point making it easy to work with
- Its gold content which adds warmth to the metal
- Its lower cost compared to white gold
Correct answer: Its durability, hypoallergenic properties, and natural white color
Platinum is prized in fine jewelry for its extreme durability, natural bright white color that won't fade or require re-plating, and hypoallergenic nature.
Question 5: What is 'rhodium plating' commonly used for in jewelry?
- To give white gold a brighter, whiter finish (Correct answer)
- To add yellow color to silver jewelry
- To harden platinum settings
- To increase the karat weight of gold
Correct answer: To give white gold a brighter, whiter finish
Rhodium plating is applied to white gold jewelry to enhance its bright white appearance, since white gold alloys can have a slightly yellow or gray tint on their own.
Question 6: What is a 'channel setting' in diamond jewelry?
- Stones set side by side in a groove with no metal between them (Correct answer)
- A raised metal platform holding a single large stone
- Diamonds set flush with the metal surface
- Multiple prongs holding a row of stones
Correct answer: Stones set side by side in a groove with no metal between them
A channel setting places multiple diamonds side by side in a grooved channel of metal, with no metal between the stones, creating a smooth, continuous row.
DCA DCA Ring Settings & Jewelry Metals 1
What does '18K' mean when stamped on a gold jewelry piece?