Facet
A flat surface on a cut gemstone, these are cut in order to increase the reflected light.
Ferrous
A term used to indicate the presence of iron.
File
A tool used to remove material from a piece of metal. A file is a metal bar with sharpened teeth that cut on the forward stroke, and it usually has a narrow tang on one end that can be fitted into a wooden handle.
Findings
Small components such as jump rings, clasps or bails that are used to join pieces of jewellery together.
Fire brick
A block of refractory ceramic material used to line a soldering hearth.
Fire stain / Fire scale
A purple stain caused by oxygen reacting with the copper content of Sterling silver at high temperatures.
Flexible shaft
Used to power a hand held rotary tool from a pendant motor.
Flux
A chemical that cleans and prevents oxidation during silver soldering.
Forging
A manufacturing process where the metal is formed with a hammer against an anvil.
Fretwork
An interlaced decorative design cut into sheet metal using drills and a piercing saw.
Fusing
When a metal is heated to a temperature approaching its melting point, the surface will become liquid. At this point, two pieces of metal may be permanently joined.
