Jewelry Design Jewelry Design MCQ 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which metal alloy is traditionally used in niello work to create dark inlaid designs on silver?
- A mixture of sulfur, copper, silver, and lead (Correct answer)
- A blend of tin and bismuth
- An amalgam of mercury and gold
- A compound of zinc and nickel
Correct answer: A mixture of sulfur, copper, silver, and lead
Niello is a black mixture of sulfur combined with silver, copper, and lead that is fused into engraved recesses on metal surfaces.
Question 2: In jewelry design, what does the term 'repoussé' refer to?
- Hammering metal from the reverse side to create raised relief (Correct answer)
- Casting molten metal into a mold
- Cutting gemstones into faceted shapes
- Applying enamel in sunken areas of metal
Correct answer: Hammering metal from the reverse side to create raised relief
Repoussé is a metalworking technique where the artisan hammers from the back of a metal sheet to create raised decorative designs on the front.
Question 3: What is the purpose of a pickle solution in metalsmithing?
- To remove oxides and flux residue after soldering (Correct answer)
- To harden metal through chemical treatment
- To add a patina finish to copper
- To clean gemstones before setting
Correct answer: To remove oxides and flux residue after soldering
Pickle is an acidic solution (often dilute sulfuric acid or sodium bisulfate) used to clean oxides and flux residue from metal after heating or soldering.
Question 4: Which gemstone setting style leaves the most of the stone's surface exposed to maximize light entry?
- Bezel setting
- Pavé setting
- Prong setting (Correct answer)
- Channel setting
Correct answer: Prong setting
Prong (claw) settings hold the stone with minimal metal contact, allowing the maximum amount of light to enter the gemstone from all angles.
Question 5: What does the fineness mark '925' stamped on a piece of jewelry indicate?
- The piece is 92.5% pure silver (sterling silver) (Correct answer)
- The piece weighs 9.25 grams
- The piece contains 92.5% gold
- The piece was made in 1925
Correct answer: The piece is 92.5% pure silver (sterling silver)
The 925 hallmark indicates sterling silver, meaning the alloy is 92.5% pure silver alloyed with 7.5% other metals, typically copper.
Question 6: In gemology, what does 'pleochroism' describe?
- A gem showing different colors when viewed from different crystal directions (Correct answer)
- The splitting of light into spectral colors
- A gem's ability to change color under UV light
- The play of color in opaque gems like opal
Correct answer: A gem showing different colors when viewed from different crystal directions
Pleochroism is the optical phenomenon where a gem displays different colors or shades when viewed along different crystallographic axes.
Question 7: Which fabrication technique involves joining two or more metals together through diffusion bonding without solder by applying heat and pressure?
- Fusion welding
- Diffusion bonding (fusing) (Correct answer)
- Cold forging
- Electroforming
Correct answer: Diffusion bonding (fusing)
Diffusion bonding (or fusing) joins metals at the atomic level through heat and pressure, creating a seamless bond without the need for solder or filler material.
Which metal alloy is traditionally used in niello work to create dark inlaid designs on silver?