Jewelry Design Jewelry 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which metal alloy is most commonly used in jewelry making due to its balance of durability and workability?
- Pure gold (24k)
- Sterling silver (92.5% silver) (Correct answer)
- Fine silver (99.9% silver)
- Britannia silver (95.8% silver)
Correct answer: Sterling silver (92.5% silver)
Sterling silver (92.5% silver alloyed with copper) is most common because pure silver is too soft for everyday wear.
Question 2: In jewelry design, what does the term 'pavé setting' refer to?
- A single large gemstone mounted on prongs
- Small stones set closely together covering a surface (Correct answer)
- A bezel that fully encircles a stone
- A channel of stones set in a straight line
Correct answer: Small stones set closely together covering a surface
Pavé setting involves setting many small stones close together with minimal visible metal, creating a 'paved' surface of gems.
Question 3: What is the primary purpose of annealing metal during jewelry fabrication?
- To harden the metal for durability
- To restore softness and workability after work-hardening (Correct answer)
- To fuse two metal pieces together
- To remove surface oxidation from the metal
Correct answer: To restore softness and workability after work-hardening
Annealing involves heating metal to relieve internal stress and restore ductility after it has become work-hardened.
Question 4: Which gemstone has the highest hardness rating on the Mohs scale?
- Ruby
- Emerald
- Diamond (Correct answer)
- Sapphire
Correct answer: Diamond
Diamond rates 10 on the Mohs hardness scale, making it the hardest natural mineral known.
Question 5: What is 'lost wax casting' in jewelry making?
- A method of melting recycled wax from old molds
- A process where a wax model is encased in investment and burned out to create a mold (Correct answer)
- A technique for waxing metal to prevent tarnish
- A way to seal gemstones using heated wax
Correct answer: A process where a wax model is encased in investment and burned out to create a mold
Lost wax casting creates a cavity by burning out a wax model from investment plaster, then pouring molten metal into the void.
Question 6: Which type of jewelry closure is most secure for a heavy pendant necklace?
- Spring ring clasp
- Lobster claw clasp (Correct answer)
- Toggle clasp
- Barrel clasp
Correct answer: Lobster claw clasp
Lobster claw clasps have a spring-loaded mechanism that provides strong, reliable closure suitable for heavier jewelry.
Question 7: In gemology, what does 'inclusion' refer to?
- The process of setting a stone into metal
- Internal characteristics or flaws within a gemstone (Correct answer)
- The color saturation of a precious stone
- The total carat weight of all stones in a piece
Correct answer: Internal characteristics or flaws within a gemstone
Inclusions are internal features like crystals, fractures, or growth marks inside a gemstone that affect its clarity grade.
Jewelry Design Jewelry 2
Which metal alloy is most commonly used in jewelry making due to its balance of durability and workability?