Bezel
Sometimes synonymous with “housing”, it refers to the narrow strips of silver that surround the stone, or mosaic set, and holds it to the piece. Bezel come pre-made in rolls, and in various gauges or thicknesses, but some smiths prefer to cut their own from sheet silver, or roll them from wire. Some artists prefer pure silver for this element because it is softer and can be shaped closely to an irregular stone. When the bezel becomes heavier in gauge it is usually referred to as housing.