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Term for the arch supporting a gemstone

English Language & Usage Asked on September 13, 2020

We could describe the jewel set at the highest points of the crown as at its "peak" or "cap". What is it a "peak" or "cap" of, in the context of the object, in jeweling? For example, if this were a natural formation, the gemstone would be the peak of the moutain. How can I describe the arch here, so that I can say, the gemstone is set atop the word?

I am referring to the jewel at the top of the arch

3 Answers

Wikipedia uses the word tines:

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Grafenkrone: the coronet of a Graf (count) displays nine visible tines [mounted] with pearls.

This term may not apply when the diadem has pointed arches.

The tiara below is named as a diamond spike tiara on Pinterest:

enter image description here

Correct answer by Edwin Ashworth on September 13, 2020

Keystone or pinnacle might be what you're looking for.

Keystone (noun): The middle stone in the top of an arch that has a special shape and holds all the other stones in position.
[Cambridge English Dictionary]

Answered by Decapitated Soul on September 13, 2020

The term is not specific to jewellery and is possibly more familiar as an astrological, historical or mathematical term but those points on the crown in your picture are the apexes of cusps. Merriam Webster gives one definition (sense d in the liked entry) as

an ornamental pointed projection formed by or arising from the intersection of two arcs or foils (foil here being used in the sense of "an indentation between cusps in gothic tracery")

The entry for "cusp" also has an illustration showing a piece of ornamental tracery composed mainly of cusps.

The possibly more familiar astrological and historical uses of "cusp" are derived from sense a of the MW definition

a point of transition

(in astrology the transition from one sign or house to another)

The decorative cusp is an example of a physical cusp of which there are natural and practical examples.

The definition does not preclude the case of two convex arcs intersecting as in a pointed gothic arch but the word "cusp" is more usually applied to the intersection of concave arcs as in your crown picture.

Answered by BoldBen on September 13, 2020

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