The baguette cut is a special type of gemstone cut. Its form is a narrow rectangular with a distinct, elongated table around which two rows of elongated facets are arranged in steps. This shape was developed in 1925 and initially used only for diamonds, then also used on other stones in ensuing years. The baguette cut is particularly suitable for transparent stones.

A ball chain consists of numerous ball-shaped elements which have been threaded onto a wire. If the individual balls are made of metal, they are usually hollow. Solid balls of stone, pierced with a hole to accept the wire strand, can also create beautiful effects.

The band is the most important part of a finger-ring. It is the hoop that encircles the finger and thus embodies the fundamental form of the ring. A ring's band can be flat or rounded. It is usually fitted with a head onto which, for example, the settings for diamonds or colored stones can be affixed.

Not every oyster produces a perfectly spherical cultivated pearl. Just the opposite: most pearls fail to develop into flawless spheres. When they grow in various directions and unusual shapes, they're called "baroque" or "off-shape" pearls. Depending upon their specific shape, some of these pearls can be very much in demand because they can be made into unique pieces of jewelry.

The bayonet clasp is a secure and innovative closure for colliers. A clasp, which often serves as an ornamental centerpiece, has small holes with hinges on two of its sides. These holes accept posts which are attached to each end of the collier. The posts are inserted into the holes, then given a twist to lock them into place. This principle makes it possible to wear the same clasp with different colliers, or to ornament one collier with any of several different centerpieces.

The word "beryl" is used to describe a group of minerals whose members can occur in a variety of colors. If a beryl is green, it's called an emerald. If it's blue, it's known as an aquamarine. The family also includes the gold beryl, which is yellow in color, the heliodor, which has a greenish-yellow hue, and the morganite, which is pink. Other color variations are known as "noble beryl." During the Middle Ages, aquamarines were finely polished and set into the viewing windows of reliquaries, where they served as lenses to magnify the contents of the container. This practice led to the use of beryl as a visual aid in the 14th century. The German word for spectacles derives from the word "beryl."

Bicolor is the term used for a combination of two shades of gold. The combination of yellow gold and white gold, which creates beautiful plays of color and design accents, is a particularly common bicolor. Other tones, e.g. red gold and white gold, can also be combined.

As long ago as classical antiquity, the belief that a relationship exists between particular gemstones and certain zodiacal signs prompted people to assign particular minerals to each sign of the zodiac. The most common arrangement is given below. The stone associated with each sign is believed to have a positive, strengthening affect on people who were born under its corresponding sign. Aries (March 21 - April 20) - red jasper, carneol. Taurus (April 21 - May 20) - carneol, rose quartz. Gemini (May 21 - June 21) - citrine, tiger-eye. Cancer (June 22 - July 22) - chrysoprase, aventurine. Leo (July 23 - August 23) - rock crystal, gold quartz. Virgo (August 24 - September 23) - citrine, yellow agate. Libra (September 24 - October 23) - orange citrine, smoky quartz.

The French word "bouton" means "button." A bouton pearl is shaped like a button, i.e. it's round and somewhat flattened. Pearl-bearing oysters doesn't necessarily produce perfectly spherical pearls. Much more frequently, oysters yield pearls which are oval or irregularly shaped. The latter are known as "Baroque pearls." In addition to the classical spherical shape, pearls in other symmetrical shapes (e.g. bouton pearls) are also avidly sought.

The braided chain derives its name from its characteristic appearance. These chains look like meticulously coifed braids of hair. Their individual elements intermesh alternately and very closely, thus creating a symmetrical appearance.

The word "brilliance" is derived from the French verb "briller," which means "to shine." Brilliance describes the luminosity of a gemstone, i.e. the overall effects of the reflected light emerging from the surface of the stone. Brilliance depends upon the reflection of incident light, which, in turn, depends upon the refractive index of the stone and the texture of the stone's surface, but is independent of the stone's color. The higher the refraction, the stronger the gleam. Diamonds are cut with the goal of achieving the ideal state of complete and total upward reflection of all incident light.

When a diamond is cut with the brilliant cut, it is referred to as a "brilliant." The brilliant cut was invented in 1910 as a further development of the old cut. The brilliant cut is considered to be the perfect cut for diamonds because it optimally shows off their inherent fire, luminosity, and radiance. The proportions of a brilliant are precisely defined. Viewed from the side, a brilliant looks like two octagonal pyramids placed one opposite the other. Viewed from above, the stone appears round. The upper side has at least 32 facets which are arranged at precisely defined angles around the table. The lower part has at least 24 facets. The word "brilliant" may only be used for round diamonds that have been given the brilliant cut.

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