Rarity4u

Acanthus is a classical ornament in the form of a stylised leaf decoration based on the scalloped leaves of the acanthus plant. Acanthus is the most prolific foliage to flourish as a decorative motif on architecture, furniture and works of art. Derived from the Mediterranean, in the hands of artists it can also resemble thistle, poppy or parsley leaves.

Even Gothic and Romanesque architects and craftsmen employed it and from the Renaissance to the mid 1800’s it was constantly in favour.

Acrylics are a type of thermoplastic, and include transparent and opaque in varied colours. Some commonly known acrylics are lucite and plexiglas

A neo-classical style, first introduced into the UK by the Scottish architect and designer Robert Adam, typified by the classical motifs such as rams’ heads, husks, palmettos and festoons. The popularity of the Adams style peaked in Britain around the 1760’s and 1770’s

Adularia is a common type of moonstone, a whitish-bluish semi-translucent stone that is usually set as a cabochon.

Adularia was very popular early in the 1900´s and was extensively used in Art Nouveau jewellery.

Adularia has a hardness of 6 and a specific gravity of 2.57

African jade, also called Transvaal jade, is a misnomer for a massive green grossular garnet that is mined in South Africa; it is not jade, but does look like jade.

It can be light green, white, or pink

A watch chain, usually with oval links, each twisted to allow the chain to lie flat, named after the Prince Consort 1819 – 1861, Queen Victoria’s husband. The term is frequently used to describe any watch chain that attaches a watch to a waistcoat. Often each link is graduated in size to give a tapered appearance and is refered to as a variagated chain.

Alexandrite is a mineral, a type of chrysoberyl that appears to be different colours depending on whether it is viewed in natural or artificial light. Alexandrite appears to be red when seen in candle light and blue to green when seen in fluorescent light.

Alexandrite was discovered on the birthday of the Russian Czar Alexander II, and it was named in his honour.

Alexandrite is mined in Russia, Brazil, Burma, Ceylon, and Rhodesia.

Laboratory-produced alexandrite is common, and it is often sold as natural alexandrite.

Alexandrite has a hardness of 8.5 and a specific gravity of 3.64-3.74

An alloy is an amalgam form of two or more different metals mixed together chemically to produce a new metal with more suitable properties.

Almost all metals found in the decorative arts are alloys, including various gold alloys, sterling silver, brass, bronze and pewter.

In silver the base metals are added for strength.

Common alloys used in jewellery are:

Gold under 24 Kt, mixed with silver, copper, and/or other metals
Sterling Silver 92.5% silver, 7.5% copper
Brass roughly half copper, half zinc
Bronze at least 60% copper with tin and perhaps other metals
Pewter tin, lead, antimony, and a bit of silver or copper

Alpaca, also spelled alpacca, is an alloy consisting of mostly copper, around 55 percent, and approximately 20 percent nickel, about 20 percent zinc, and about 5 percent tin.

This metal alloy is a substitute for silver and is also known as German Silver and Nickel Silver when there is no tin in the alloy.

See also German Silver and Nickel Silver

Amber is translucent fossilized tree resin (from conifers), a natural hydrocarbon that comes in many colours, including yellow, reddish, whitish, black, and blue. Amber is flammable and rubbing amber produces static electricity.

The word electricity comes from the Greek word for amber, "elektron."

It used to be thought that amber possessed magical powers that protected the wearer from evil.

Pressed amber consists of small pieces of amber that have been fused together to form a larger piece.

Fake amber is easily made from plastics, and buyers must beware of cheap imitations sold as natural amber.

Amber has a hardness of 2.5 and a specific gravity of 1.05-1.10