basket Your basket >
>
Your wishlist >

Nous offrons des facilités de paiement pour le bijou de vos rêves. Demandez nous les détails. Expédition assuré gratuite !

jewelry glossary

Antique jewelry glossary

Welcome to our extensive antique jewelry glossary with around 1,500 jewelry related entries.If you feel you are missing an explanation, feel free to let us know and we will add it.

A - B - C - D - E - F - G - H - I - J - K - L - M - N - O - P - Q - R - S - T - U - V - W - X - Y - Z     all

Meerschaum

A whitish to ivory-yellow, smooth, porous mineral composed of crystal fibres and amorphous material. It is soft and clay-like, and when dry it is light enough to float; when heated it hardens and becomes white. Since the 18th century it has been exported from Asia Minor to Germany where it is made into tobacco-pipe bowls and cigar and cigarette holders, being often ornamentally carved. After use it becomes stained from brown to mahogany colour. It is also carved for some articles of jewelry, e.g. the bezel of a finger ring , or an ornament on a brooch.

The name is the German word derived from Meer (sea) and Schaum (foam). Also called Sepiolite.

From: An Illustrated Dictionary of Jewelry, autor: Harold Newman, publishers: Thames and Hudson

Jewelry Glossary

Missing an explanation?
click here to request one

Jewelry Theme Search
Bijoux Anciens Lecture
Adin Fonds Ecrans       Aide       Expéditions       Termes de Vente       Mailing       Demandes Spéciales       Suivez nous sur:   Twitter   Facebook   Google+   Instagram  Liens