Dictionary: G

The girdle is the widest part of a cut and faceted gemstone, as shown in the graphic. 

Here is more detailed information on the parts of a cut and faceted gemstone.

Glass is generally a silica compound combined with boric oxide, aluminum oxide or phosphorus pentoxide.  By using heat, glass can be formed into many shapes and is used extensively in the manufacture of beads. 

Glass pearls are simulated pearls made from adding a pearl like coating to a glass bead.

View a variety of glass pearls here.

Gold is the 79th element in the periodic table of the elements.  Because gold is relatively rare, it is considered to be valuable.  Gold is a corrosion resistant element and for this reason, is used frequently in more expensive jewelry. 

View a variety of gold-plated, and gold-filled wire here.

Gold-filled consists of a process of physically combining a thin alloy of gold with a gold-tone base metal.  The base metal adds strength and is fabricated so that it is on the inside of the wire or sheet metal.  The gold alloy on the outside provides the color, corrosion resistance and permanence of real gold.  The combination of the gold alloy on the outside and the gold tone metal on the inside where it can not be seen allows jewelry designers to make gold-filled jewelry at a fraction of the cost of solid gold, but with the look and feel of 14K gold.  Most gold-filled wire is made of 5% gold alloy and the remainder is a gold tone metal. 

View a variety of gold-plated, and gold-filled wire here.

Gold plating is an electro-chemical process of coating a conductive metal wire with a very thin layer of 24 carat gold.  The layer of gold in the plating has a thickness of 1 to 2 gold molecules, so over time, this thin layer can be worn off by abrasion.  Gold-plating is best used on items that receive limited wear and tear.

View a variety of gold-plated, and gold-filled wire here.