ACRYLIC RESIN :  It is a derivative of acrylic acid, it is a thermoplastic substance with outstanding transparency, luster, and great industrial strength. 

AGATE : A semiprecious hard stone belonging to the chalcedony family, translucent and with concentric layers. 

AGLET : A small, brooch like ornament sewn to clothing.

AIGRETTE : A head ornament worn on a turban, hat, or in the hair to hold bird feathers, made entirely of metal and jewels often shaped in the form of feathers.

ALLUVIAL DEPOSITS : Concentration of material that have been separated by weathering from the host rock, and then deposited by rivers or streams.

AMAZONITE : A mineral in the feldspar family, with a light green colour. 

AMBER : A natural material (fossil resin of coniferous plants) with a yellow-re colour.  There are excellent imitations of amber; when rubbed, true amber attracts paper.

AMINE : A basic organic compound derived from ammonia that is used for manufacturing synthetic resins of various kinds.

AMORPHOUS :Without a regular internal atomic structure or external shape.

AMULET : An object attributed with magical value worn on a person.

ANKLET : A chain or other ornament worn around the ankle. 

ANKLET WITH ATTACHED TOE RINGS : A composite ornament consisting of toe rings attached by loops to an ankle bracelet.

ANNEALING : The heat treating ( softening ) of metal after it has been work-hardened with steel tools, and is necessary between raising and forging stages. 

ANODIZING : The process for the controlled deposit of oxide on refractory metals. Anodizing is an electrochemical process: a direct current flows from the anode to the cathode through a conducting solution, known as the electrolyte.

ARCHIMEDIAN DRILL : Archimedian drill, which is a small device, usually about 10cm long. It is worked by sliding a handle up and down a twisted steel shalt. 

ARTIST'S JEWELRY : A piece of jewelry made by a painter or sculptor and usually in a limited number of copies.

ASSAYING : The process of determining the proportion of precious metal contained in an alloy. Most jewellery is assayed at an official Assay Office and given a hallmark that indicate the type and fineness of the precious metal. 

ASSOCIATED MINERALS : Minerals found growing together though not necessarily inter grown.

ASTERISM : Star effect seen on some stones.

AURORA BOREALIS : Faceted glass stones with an iridescent colour.