Gauge
A system to measure the thickness of metal wire or sheet. Many different gauges are in use, so care must be taken to understand which gauge is being referred to.
Gilding metal
A type of brass (95% copper and 5% zinc); often used as a substrate for enamelled bagdges and other similiar types of jewellery.
Girdle
The middle, widest part of a cut gemstone.
Gold
A yellow coloured, dense, soft, malleable and ductile metal. The shine and resistance to corrosion of pure gold has been treasured for centuries. It is often alloyed with other metals, as pure gold is often too soft and will bend out of shape when worn as jewellery.
Grain
A unit formerly used to weight pearls and gemstones; equal to 1/4 of a carat, or 50 mg.
Granulation
A process used to decorate jewellery with small spheres fused to the base piece.
Graver
See Burin
