Jewelry Term Definitions – Alphabetical I’s
I. G. I. - International Gemological Institute (IGI) - the largest independent gem grading and appraisal institute in the world.
Inclusion - A solid, liquid, or gaseous particle of foreign matter within a mineral. These can decrease the value of a stone, however sometimes, as in the case of a star sapphire, the inclusion is prized.
Ingot - Metal cast into a bar or other shape.
Inlay - A decorative technique whereby stone or glass is embedded into another material creating a level surface.
Intaglio - A method of decoration in which a design is cut or carved into a surface. Intaglio is commonly used in seals that are dipped in wax to seal a letter or document. Another example of intaglio is a signet ring.
Iolite - A transparent violet-blue, light blue, or yellow-gray mineral. A single stone shows varying colors. Iolite has a hardness of 7 on the Moh's scale and is commonly found in Sri Lanka, India, Burma, and Madagascar.
Iridescent - Displaying many lustrous changing colors which is caused by reflecting light from the jewel.
Irradiation - The act of exposing stones to radiation to enhance their color. It blasts the stone with high energy gamma rays, thereby moving the electrons and changing the appearance. One method of irradiation changes clear topaz to a brilliant, non-fading blue.
Ivory - Elephant tusks that are carved into beautiful jewelry, trinkets, and piano keys. African elephant white ivory is the finest and Asian elephant ivory is yellower. Using ivory is now banned since elephants are in danger of going extinct.
Filed Under: Jewelry Terms Glossary
About the Author: Wanda Fitzgerald is a Florida native and an vintage charm collector who loves to share her adventures in an e-commerce jewelry business with anyone who is interested.
