The opaque gemstone known as "lapis lazuli" is a mixture of various minerals. The chief component is lasurite, which gives this stone its typical, gleaming blue color. Lapis lazuli usually has stripes or spots of other minerals running through it. The coloration of best-quality lapis lazuli is regularly distributed; often, however, lapis lazuli is spotty or striped. The stone was used as a jewelry stone in prehistoric times. Lapis lazuli was ground to a powder and used as a natural, ultramarine blue pigment during the Middle Ages. Lapis lazuli is moderately hard. The stone is sensitive to warmth, perfume, and cosmetics. Afghanistan is its most important source.

The linked necklace is a classical and very feminine chain. It consists of round, voluminous elements which are alternately horizontally and vertically linked to one another. The appearance of this type of chain varies depending upon the thickness and size of its individual links.

Luster is the most important criterion in the appraisal of a pearl's value. This technical term describes the reflection of light which refracts on the many strata of aragonite in the mother-of-pearl, thereby creating a gleam that seems to radiate from the interior of the pearl. The reflected light and the gleam should seem as energetic and as deep as possible, two qualities which are associated with a thick layer of mother-of-pearl. A pearl's value is directly proportional to the intensity of its luster.