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. Which gemstone has the highest hardness rating on the Mohs scale? → Diamond
3. In jewelry design, what is a 'pendeloque' cut gemstone? → A pear-shaped brilliant-cut stone with facets on both crown and pavilion
4. In jewelry pricing, what does 'keystone markup' mean? → Doubling the wholesale cost to set the retail price (100% markup)
5. Which René Lalique technique creates translucent enamel supported only by delicate metal framework, resembling stained glass? → Plique-à-jour
6. What is 'chasing' in traditional metalworking jewelry techniques? → Applying texture to metal from the front using punches
7. In jewelry making, what is the purpose of 'annealing' metal? → Softening the metal to restore workability
8. 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
9. In the US jewelry trade, what does 'vermeil' refer to? → Gold-plated sterling silver meeting FTC minimum thickness requirements
10. Malachite is what shade? → Green
11. Which setting style leaves the most metal visible around a gemstone? → Bezel setting
12. In jewelry making, what does 'work hardening' describe? → Metal becoming harder and more brittle through mechanical deformation
13. What type of setting holds gemstones in a continuous groove of metal with no prongs between each stone? → Channel setting
14. What is 'repoussé' in metalsmithing? → A technique of hammering metal from the reverse side to create raised relief designs
15. Which synthetic gemstone was created by the Verneuil flame fusion process and is commonly used as a diamond simulant? → Synthetic corundum
16. What is 'keum-boo' in jewelry making? → A Korean technique of fusing gold foil to silver
17. 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
18. The British Empire's "Jewel in the Crown" was which country's nickname. → India
19. What does 'hallmarking' signify on a piece of jewelry? → Official stamps certifying metal purity and origin
20. Which of the four Cs of diamond grading most significantly affects a diamond's brilliance and light performance? → Cut
21. Which type of enamel technique involves filling separate compartments created by thin metal wires with colored glass paste? → Cloisonné
22. Which of the following gemstones is organic rather than mineral in origin? → Pearl
23. Which diamond was the largest ever discovered? → Cullinan
24. What technique involves hammering metal from the reverse side to create a raised design on the front? → Repoussé
25. What is the purpose of a 'pickle' solution in jewelry making? → To remove oxidation and flux residue after soldering
26. In jewelry fabrication, what is the purpose of 'pickle' solution? → To clean and remove oxides from metal after soldering or annealing
27. Which gemstone setting style leaves the most of the stone's surface exposed to maximize light entry? → Prong setting
28. Where can you go to find a free trial version of jewelry design software? → Online
29. Which metal is most commonly electroplated onto silver jewelry to prevent tarnishing and improve its white, bright appearance? → Rhodium
30. What jewelry period (1920s–1930s) was known for geometric shapes, bold colors, platinum settings, and a machine-age aesthetic? → Art Deco