The Ajediam Glossary

Qajar jewelry refers to the ornate and intricate jewelry produced during the Qajar dynasty in Persia (1785-1925). It often features vibrant gemstones and intricate metalwork, showcasing the artistic and cultural influences of the time. Qajar jewelry is a testament to the craftsmanship and opulence of the Qajar period, reflecting the rich history of Persian jewelry artistry.

In the gemstone industry, a quadrillion is a unit of weight measurement, often used for small and precious stones. Gemstone traders and dealers employ this metric to determine the value and rarity of exquisite gem specimens.

Quality control refers to procedures implemented to ensure the quality of jewelry products. From material inspection to craftsmanship assessment, these processes guarantee that each piece meets the highest standards before reaching consumers.

A quality mark is a stamp indicating the metal quality of jewelry. These marks, often engraved on the inner surface of jewelry items, provide consumers with information about the purity and composition of the metal used.

Quantum entanglement, a concept in physics, influences the design of quantum jewelry. This avant-garde approach draws inspiration from the interconnected nature of quantum particles, creating unique and symbolic jewelry pieces.

Quantum jewelry incorporates principles of quantum physics into its design, often featuring symbolic elements inspired by quantum phenomena. This avant-garde approach adds a futuristic and intellectual dimension to jewelry fashion.

A quarry master is a person skilled in the extraction of stones from quarries. These experts play a vital role in ensuring the quality and sustainability of the stones used in jewelry crafting, overseeing the entire quarrying process.

Quarrying is the process of extracting stones from a quarry, a crucial step in sourcing raw materials for jewelry making. Quarrying requires precision and expertise to obtain high-quality stones for crafting exquisite jewelry pieces.

Quartz is a crystalline mineral composed of silicon and oxygen atoms, commonly found in various colors and varieties. In jewelry, quartz is often used as a gemstone, prized for its clarity and versatility. With its diverse range of colors, quartz is a popular choice for both contemporary and traditional jewelry designs, adding a touch of brilliance and sophistication.

Quartz cat's-eye is a variety of quartz that exhibits a phenomenon known as chatoyancy, creating a luminous band resembling a cat's eye. This optical effect enhances the desirability of quartz cat's-eye gemstones. The captivating play of light in quartz cat's-eye makes it a unique and sought-after gemstone, often used to create eye-catching jewelry pieces with a mesmerizing visual appeal.

A distant celestial object emitting powerful energy, quasars are occasionally referenced in the design of avant-garde jewelry pieces, inspired by the cosmic and mysterious nature of these astronomical phenomena.

A quasi crystal is a unique atomic structure found in certain gemstones, contributing to their exceptional optical properties. Gemologists study quasi crystals to understand the distinctive characteristics of these rare and valuable gem specimens.

Quatre couleurs, meaning "four colors" in French, refers to a jewelry design technique that incorporates four different colored gemstones or metals, creating a visually striking and harmonious composition. This sophisticated design approach allows for creative expression and personalized jewelry pieces that showcase a balanced combination of colors and materials.

Quatre-Couleur Gold is a type of gold alloy known for its distinct four-color composition. This metallurgical variation adds an artistic touch to jewelry pieces, allowing designers to create visually striking and unconventional designs.

A decorative element with four leaves or petals, the quatrefoil motif is commonly found in jewelry design, symbolizing unity and balance. This timeless design has been employed in various historical and contemporary jewelry pieces.

Quatrefoil earrings feature a decorative four-lobed design, adding a touch of elegance and symmetry to the wearer's ensemble. This timeless and versatile earring style complements various fashion trends and occasions.

A quatrefoil pendant is a pendant featuring a design with four lobes, symbolizing balance and harmony. This timeless and versatile design is often incorporated into both classic and contemporary jewelry pieces.

A quatrefoil setting is a jewelry setting with a four-lobed shape, providing a distinctive and elegant frame for gemstones. This setting style adds a touch of sophistication to rings, earrings, and pendants in jewelry design.

Jacques Quay was a notable jeweler active in the 18th century. His work often showcased exceptional craftsmanship and design, contributing to the jewelry styles of his era. Jacques Quay's legacy is intertwined with the artistic trends of the 18th century, leaving a lasting impact on the history of jewelry design and craftsmanship.

Queen Anne Style refers to a design aesthetic popular in antique jewelry, characterized by its ornate and delicate details. Jewelry pieces from this era often feature intricate filigree work and colorful gemstones.

Queen Elizabeth's Ear-rings refer to the earrings worn by Queen Elizabeth I of England. These historic earrings often featured pearls and precious gemstones, reflecting the fashion of the Elizabethan era. Queen Elizabeth's Ear-rings are a symbol of regal elegance, embodying the ornate and intricate style of jewelry during one of England's most iconic historical periods.

The Queen Mary brooch, also known as the Luckenbooth brooch, is a traditional Scottish brooch symbolizing love and commitment. It typically features a heart shape and intricate Scottish symbols. The Queen Mary brooch carries cultural significance, representing both love and heritage in Scottish jewelry traditions, making it a cherished and symbolic accessory.

A Queen's Diadem is a jeweled crown or headband worn by a queen, showcasing opulence and regality. These diadems are often crafted with precious gemstones and intricate metalwork, symbolizing the wearer's royal status.

The Queen's Necklace is a lavish and opulent necklace often worn by queens as a symbol of prestige and grandeur. These necklaces are adorned with exquisite gemstones and intricate metalwork, showcasing the highest levels of craftsmanship.

An ornamental headpiece adorned by royalty, the Queen's Tiara is a symbol of regality and is often crafted with precious gemstones and intricate metalwork. Each tiara is a unique piece designed to complement the wearer's attire and status.

A quench crack is a crack that may occur in a gemstone during the quenching process of metalwork. Jewelry artisans need to carefully manage this risk to preserve the integrity of gemstones integrated into their creations.

Quenching is the rapid cooling of metal to increase its hardness and alter its physical properties. This metallurgical process is crucial in enhancing the strength and durability of metal components used in jewelry making.

A quenching bath is a liquid used in the rapid cooling of metal during the quenching process. This bath plays a crucial role in controlling the temperature and achieving the desired metallurgical properties in jewelry crafting.

The quenching process involves the controlled cooling of metal to achieve desired properties such as increased hardness. This metallurgical technique is essential in shaping and enhancing the durability of metal components used in jewelry making.

Quetzalcoatlite is a rare mineral named after the Aztec god Quetzalcoatl. Gemologists and collectors value this mineral for its unique composition and cultural significance, making it a prized addition to gemstone collections.

Guillaume de la Quewellerie was a jeweler active in the early 17th century. His work is associated with the artistic styles and preferences of the time, contributing to the history of jewelry. Guillaume de la Quewellerie's craftsmanship reflects the aesthetic sensibilities of the 17th century, leaving an imprint on the evolution of jewelry design during this period.

Quickset is a gemstone setting technique that allows for the quick and easy interchange of stones in jewelry pieces. This innovative setting design enables wearers to customize their jewelry based on occasion or preference.

Quilling is a jewelry technique that involves the meticulous rolling and shaping of paper strips to create intricate and delicate designs. This artistic approach adds a unique and textured element to the world of handmade jewelry.

The quillon is the crossguard of a sword or dagger, often incorporated into antique jewelry designs. This historical and symbolic element adds a touch of medieval elegance to jewelry pieces inspired by the weaponry of bygone eras.

The Quimbaya Treasure is a collection of pre-Columbian gold artifacts found in Colombia, attributed to the Quimbaya culture. It includes various gold objects, including figurines and intricate jewelry. The Quimbaya Treasure stands as a testament to the advanced metallurgical skills of the Quimbaya people, offering a glimpse into their rich artistic and cultural heritage through meticulously crafted gold artifacts.

Quimbaya jewelry refers to the pre-Columbian goldsmithing tradition of the Quimbaya civilization in Colombia. The jewelry is characterized by its exquisite goldwork and intricate symbolic designs. Quimbaya jewelry not only showcases exceptional craftsmanship but also provides insights into the cultural and spiritual significance attributed to gold in the Quimbaya society.

A Quinceañera ring is a traditional piece of jewelry given during a Quinceañera celebration, symbolizing the transition from girlhood to womanhood. These rings often feature symbolic elements and may become cherished heirlooms.

A quiver brooch is a brooch shaped like a quiver for holding arrows, often featuring intricate details and gemstone embellishments. This unique and thematic design makes quiver brooches a sought-after collector's item in antique jewelry.

In jewelry, a quoin refers to a wedge-shaped ornament or gemstone setting used to secure stones in place. It adds both structural support and aesthetic detail to jewelry pieces. The quoin, with its practical and decorative function, plays a crucial role in jewelry design by providing stability to gemstones while contributing to the overall visual appeal of the piece.

A quoit brooch is a type of brooch characterized by its circular or ring-shaped design. This style of brooch has historical significance and variations in different cultures and time periods. Quoit brooches, with their distinctive circular form, have been worn as decorative accessories throughout history, reflecting cultural preferences and evolving design trends in different regions.