Jewelry Design Jewelry Design MCQ 4 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: In gem cutting, what is the 'girdle' of a faceted stone?
- The widest circumferential edge separating the crown from the pavilion (Correct answer)
- The flat top facet of the stone
- The pointed bottom tip of the stone
- The row of facets just below the table
Correct answer: The widest circumferential edge separating the crown from the pavilion
The girdle is the narrow band forming the outer perimeter of a faceted gemstone, marking the boundary between the upper crown and the lower pavilion.
Question 2: What is the main advantage of using argentium silver over traditional sterling silver in jewelry making?
- Argentium silver is significantly more tarnish-resistant due to its germanium content (Correct answer)
- Argentium silver is harder and cannot be scratched
- Argentium silver contains more pure silver than sterling
- Argentium silver requires no soldering flux when joining
Correct answer: Argentium silver is significantly more tarnish-resistant due to its germanium content
Argentium silver replaces some copper in the sterling alloy with germanium, which forms a germanium oxide layer that resists tarnishing far better than standard sterling.
Question 3: Which stone-setting technique is characterized by metal beads or bright-cut edges holding multiple small stones flush with or below the surface of the metal?
- Burnish setting
- Pavé setting (Correct answer)
- Gypsy setting
- Tube setting
Correct answer: Pavé setting
Pavé setting (from the French 'paved') places many small gemstones close together, held by tiny prongs or beads, creating a surface that appears paved with stones.
Question 4: What does the term 'gauge' refer to when describing metal sheet or wire in jewelry making?
- The thickness or diameter of the metal (Correct answer)
- The purity percentage of the metal
- The surface finish category of the metal
- The alloy type of the metal
Correct answer: The thickness or diameter of the metal
Gauge refers to the standardized measurement of metal thickness (for sheet) or diameter (for wire), with higher gauge numbers indicating thinner material in the standard US system.
Question 5: In jewelry design, what is a 'pendeloque' cut gemstone?
- A pear-shaped brilliant-cut stone with facets on both crown and pavilion (Correct answer)
- A rectangular step-cut stone with clipped corners
- A circular flat-top stone with no facets on the crown
- An oval stone with a single flat face and no pavilion
Correct answer: A pear-shaped brilliant-cut stone with facets on both crown and pavilion
A pendeloque is a faceted pear-shaped (teardrop) stone, typically used in pendant or drop earring settings where it hangs to show its tapered point at the bottom.
Question 6: What technique is used to create a matte or satin finish on metal jewelry?
- Sandblasting, brushing with a wire wheel, or using pumice (Correct answer)
- Electroplating with a bright rhodium layer
- Burnishing with a highly polished steel tool
- Buffing with rouge compound
Correct answer: Sandblasting, brushing with a wire wheel, or using pumice
Matte or satin finishes are achieved by abrading the surface with sandblasting, wire brushing, or pumice to scatter light rather than reflect it in a mirror-like way.
Question 7: Which property of a gemstone does a refractometer measure?
- Refractive index (RI) (Correct answer)
- Specific gravity
- Hardness on the Mohs scale
- Fluorescence intensity
Correct answer: Refractive index (RI)
A refractometer measures the refractive index of a gemstone—how much it bends light—which is one of the most reliable properties for identifying gem species.
Jewelry Design Jewelry Design MCQ 4
In gem cutting, what is the 'girdle' of a faceted stone?