VIRTU LUXURY Glossary
VIRTU LUXURY presents its glossary with over 400 terms related to Gold and other precious metals, Gold bars, Gold coins, and Investment Gold on one hand, and on the other hand related to collectible goods that can represent an alternative investment such as jewelry, gemology, watchmaking, Numismatics (collectible coins), Works of art, Royal Sèvres Porcelain, etc.
- 18K means a gold alloy composed of 75% pure gold. The remaining 25% can be other metals such as silver or copper, thus allowing to obtain white gold or pink gold.
A gold alloy is formed by combining a metallic element, in this case gold, with one or more other chemical elements, metallic or not. These alloys are used in the manufacture of coins, including silver, ...- This is the title of a currency that determines its purity without dimension. Fineness refers to the metal composition of a coin, expressed by the ratio of a fine metal (gold, silver, nickel, etc.) to the total mass of the alloy.
- Plate used to insulate the workbench for soldering metals.
- In numismatics, anepigraph refers to a coin that bears no inscription or legend.
- Coins dating from before the fall of the Roman Empire, i.e., before the 5th century, are generally classified as ancient coins. Today, coins from ancient Greece, the Roman Empire, the Byzantine Empire, and...
- This is a Roman coin struck in the early 3rd century, worth two denarii. Originally it was silver, but it was later devalued into a billon coin.
- The act of simultaneously buying and selling gold on different markets to take advantage of price fluctuations.
- This is a flexible rod tensioned by a string or spring, wound around a pulley carrying a wick. Held in place by its axis, it is used by oscillating it like a violin. The drill bit, similar to that of a drill,...
- "Sterling silver" is a term of Anglo-Saxon origin that was used until 1919 within the British Empire. It designates an alloy containing 925 thousandths of silver, used in the manufacture of currency.
- Formerly known by the terms "Argue Royale" and "Argue Nationale", this is a place where goldsmiths drew their gold ingots. By extension, it also designates a vise used to firmly hold the drawing dies during wire drawing...
- The price at which a seller is willing to sell gold.
- In numismatics, the mint refers to the place where currency is struck. On coins, the mint mark, its location, or its symbol are indicated by a letter, by a dot under one of the letters of the legend, or by a...
- Also known as the gold denarius, the aureus is a coin worth twenty-five denarii. Struck sporadically during the Roman Empire, it was only with the reign of Julius Caesar that its production became regular.
- The obverse of a coin represents the side bearing the main design. In everyday language, it is often referred to as the "heads" side. Generally, the obverse features a profile, a coat of arms, or a symbol representing the authority that...
- A handled blade with a rounded end used by gilders and jewelers for burnishing.
- In numismatics, the axis designates the direction or orientation of the engraving of the designs on the obverse, relative to those on the reverse, which indicates the position of the dies during striking. Coins are referred to as medal alignment when both sides of the...
- This is a set of rings of different sizes designed to measure the circumference of a finger in order to fit a ring. In France, this graduation ranges from 40 to 80 millimeters, while in the Anglo-Saxon system, it is expressed in...
- Whether measuring in grams or carats, scales vary widely in shape and size, ranging from handheld manual scales to electronic scales with illuminated displays. They are regularly checked by the...
- Bench where the rougher performs the third drawing of the gold, passing it through a drawplate using a spool on which it is unrolled.
- Machine used to draw large wires or large-sized hinges (hollow wires) that cannot be worked in a vise. Between two wooden or iron supports, an endless chain is driven by a pinion connected to a crank. The...
- The Bank of France, established as the central bank of France, is a bicentennial institution. Initially of private capital upon its foundation on January 18, 1800 under the Consulate, it became the property of the French state in...
A rectangular block of pure gold, generally of standardized dimensions, which is used as a form of investment. In English, we speak of a "Gold Bar". At VIRTU LUXURY you will find gold bars for both purchase and sale...- It represents the pinnacle of coin preservation. A proof coin is characterized by a frosted relief and a "mirror" background, and its packaging is sealed right upon minting. VIRTU LUXURY can buy back and sell your...
- Small workbench anvil with two horns of different shapes: one flat and pointed, the other round and pointed. It is used for riveting, shaping, and forging small parts.
A gold certificate issued by a financial institution, which certifies ownership of a specific quantity of gold.- In 1987, the United Kingdom launched the issuance of a gold, silver, and platinum coin called the Britannia. At VIRTU LUXURY, we buy and sell the Britannia; please feel free to contact us.
- An assay certificate is a document detailing the characteristics of a bar. It includes information such as its purity, serial number, weight, and the name of the refiner/assayer. The characteristics of a...
- These coins have a precious metal fineness much higher than that of circulating currency, making them metal reserves used for investment purposes. The term "Bullion" is of English origin. At VIRTULUXURY.COM...
- A steel cutting instrument, often operated using a hammer or mallet, and rarely by hand, intended to cut into metal and remove shavings.
- Piece of wood of various shapes, used to finish the work of files and polish parts. It can be covered with emery or cloth coated with polishing compound, and comes in various shapes: flat, round, half-round or...
- Tracing plate: cut and perforated metal plate used to reproduce a pattern. Intended for lapidaries, it is a plate pierced with two holes, corresponding to the profile and face of a stone to be cut.
- Long metal rod used to direct and concentrate the flame. The foot bellows and compressed air have replaced the mouth blowpipe, formerly used by jewelers, which gave them the appearance of glassblowers.
- Reinforced scissors for jewelers' use
- Refractory clay, graphite or plumbago container used for melting precious metal.