Jewelry Design Cheat Sheet 2026

The 30 highest-yield Jewelry Design facts, distilled from real exam questions. Print it, save it as a PDF, or study it here — free, no sign-up.

1. What is 'mokume-gane'? → A Japanese mixed-metal laminating technique
2. In jewelry pricing, what does 'keystone markup' mean? → Doubling the wholesale cost to set the retail price (100% markup)
3. Which René Lalique technique creates translucent enamel supported only by delicate metal framework, resembling stained glass? → Plique-à-jour
4. In jewelry making, what is the purpose of 'annealing' metal? → Softening the metal to restore workability
5. What professional organization in the US sets ethical standards and education requirements for jewelry appraisers? → ASA — American Society of Appraisers and AAA — American Society of Jewelry Appraisers
6. In the US jewelry trade, what does 'vermeil' refer to? → Gold-plated sterling silver meeting FTC minimum thickness requirements
7. Malachite is what shade? → Green
8. In jewelry making, what does 'work hardening' describe? → Metal becoming harder and more brittle through mechanical deformation
9. What type of setting holds gemstones in a continuous groove of metal with no prongs between each stone? → Channel setting
10. Which synthetic gemstone was created by the Verneuil flame fusion process and is commonly used as a diamond simulant? → Synthetic corundum
11. What role does polishing rouge play in the sequence of jewelry finishing steps? → It is a very fine abrasive compound used in the final stage for a high mirror polish
12. The British Empire's "Jewel in the Crown" was which country's nickname. → India
13. Which of the following gemstones is organic rather than mineral in origin? → Pearl
14. Which diamond was the largest ever discovered? → Cullinan
15. What technique involves hammering metal from the reverse side to create a raised design on the front? → Repoussé
16. Where can you go to find a free trial version of jewelry design software? → Online
17. Which metal is most commonly electroplated onto silver jewelry to prevent tarnishing and improve its white, bright appearance? → Rhodium
18. What jewelry period (1920s–1930s) was known for geometric shapes, bold colors, platinum settings, and a machine-age aesthetic? → Art Deco
19. What does 'bench jeweler' refer to in the jewelry profession? → A skilled craftsperson who makes, repairs, and modifies jewelry at a workbench
20. What term describes jewelry made during Queen Victoria's reign (1837–1901), spanning romantic, grand, and aesthetic styles? → Victorian jewelry
21. Which precious stone is referred to as the "sailor's stone" occasionally? → Aquamarine
22. Demantoid comes in what color? → Green
23. What term describes the internal glow or billowy light effect seen in moonstones? → Adularescence
24. How can you see what the finished piece of jewelry will look like? → Through a wax model
25. In a prong or claw setting, what is the minimum number of prongs typically used to secure a round brilliant diamond? → 4
26. In diamond setting, what is the danger of using a setting that is too shallow for the stone's pavilion? → The stone will not be secure and can fall out
27. What has driven jewelry designers to dream since the beginning of time? → Emotions
28. What is a 'bar setting'? → Vertical metal bars between stones that hold them from the sides
29. What term describes the revival of ancient Greek and Etruscan jewelry styles popular during the mid-to-late 1800s? → Archaeological Revival
30. What type of saw blade is used to cut sheet metal and pierce designs in jewelry fabrication? → Jeweler's saw blade