AB stands for Aurora borealis (which means "northern lights"). Aurora borealis rhinestones have a special iridescent finish that shines with many colors. The iridescent surface is a result of a very thin layer of metallic atoms that have been deposited on the lower surface of the stone. This process was invented in 1955 by the Swarovski company together with Christian Dior.
ABALONE is a mollusk whose shell is iridescent on the inside. Abalone is a source of mother of pearl, which is used in jewelry making.
ACCESSOCRAFT PRODUCTS CORP. is a company that produces costume jewelry, belts, buttons, and other accessories in a variety of styles. Accessocraft was founded in 1935 in New York, NY, USA.
ACROITE is a rare, colorless variety of tourmaline.
ACRYLICS are a type of thermoplastic, available in transparent and opaque and a variety of colors. Some commonly-known acrylics are lucite and plexiglas.
ADAMANTINE means having a luster like that of a diamond.
ADULARIA is a common type of moonstone, a whitish-bluish, semi-translucent stone. Adularia is usually set as a cabochon. Adularia was very popular early in the 20th century and was extensively used in Art Nouveau jewelry. Adularia has a hardness of 6 and a specific gravity of 2.57.
ADVENTURINE is a misspelling of aventurine, sometimes known as goldstone,a shimmering quartz stone that ranges in color; yellow, red, light green and light brown. The shimmer is caused by tiny metallic particles of mica within the stone.
AGATE is a variety of chalcedony from the family of microcrystalline quartz. It is a very common stone that is often used in jewelry. Agate is found in a wide range of colors, such as black, gray, brown, red, green, pink, blue and yellow. Agate can be flecked with color and is often banded, exhibiting layers of quartz. Agate is porous and takes dye easily. It is frequently dyed to enhance the coloration and the banding. White agate was used often in Victorian jewelry, mostly as a background. Moss agate has green, red or black dendritic inclusions. Onyx is agate whose bands are parallel. Eye agate has banding arranged in concentric circles. Agate has a hardness of 6.5 to 7 and a specific gravity of 2.6.
AGS, also known as The American Gem Society, is recognized by the jewelry industry as an authority for grading gemstones.
AGTA, also known as The American Gem Trade Association is recognized in the jewelry industry as an authority for grading gemstones.
AFRICAN JADE is alco called Transvaal jade. It is a misnomer for massive, green, grossular garnet that is mined in South Africa. It is not a true jade, but does look like jade. It can be light green, white or pink.
AKOYA PEARLS are a type of cultured pearl grown primarily in Japan.
ALEXANDRITE is a mineral, a type of chrysoberyl, that appears to be different colors depending on whether it is viewed in natural or artificial light. Alexandrite appears to be red when seen in candlelight and blue to green when seen in fluorescent light. Alexandrite was discovered on the birthday of the Russian Czar Alexander II, and named in his honor. 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.
ALEXANDRITE EFFECT is a phenomenon in which a stone appears to be different colors depending upon the type of light it is viewed in. For example, the stone alexandrite appears to be red when seen in candlelight and blue to green when seen in fluorescent light. Many other stones exhibit the "Alexandrite Effect," including garnet and sapphire.
ALLOY is a combination of two or more metals. Common alloys used in jewelry 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)and pewter (tin, lead, antimony and a bit of silver or copper).
ALMANDINE is a violet-tinged variety of garnet that ranges in color from deep red to reddish-brown. Almandine is the most common kind of garnet. Star garnets are almandines that exhibit an asterism. Almandine has a hardness of 7.5 and a specific gravity of 3.85-4.20.
ALPACA, also spelled alpacca, is an alloy consisting of mostly copper (roughly 60 percent), approximately 20 percent nickel, 20 percent zinc and about 5 percent tin. This metal is used as a silver substitute.
AMBER is translucent, fossilized tree resin from conifers, and a natural hydrocarbon that comes in many colors, including yellow, red, white, black and blue. Amber is also flammable. Rubbing amber produces static electricity. The word electricity comes from the Greek word for amber, "elektron." It once was 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. 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.
AMERICAN RUBY is actually a pyrope garnet and not a ruby at all.
AMETHYST, Greek for "not drunken", is a form of the mineral quartz, and relatively common. Amethyst is usually purple, but can ranges in color; pale lavender--deep, reddish purple--milky whiteand green. Deeper-colored amethysts are more highly valued. The ancient Greeks believed that amethyst made one immune to the effects of alcohol. Synthetic amethysts are hard to distinguish from the real stone.
AMETRINE, a variety of quartz, is a mixture of amethyst and citrine. Ametrine is partially purple and partially orange-yellow.
AMORPHOUS means "without form." An amorphous gem, such as jet, amber or ivory, does not have a regular internal structure, like those gems that fall within the seven crystal systems. They are called organic gemstones.
AMULET is a protective charm that is worn to ward off evil, illness and bring good luck.
Crystal Enchantments: A Complete Guide to Stones and Their Magical Properties
