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925 Silver
925 sterling silver is a combination of 92.5% silver and 7.5% of another metal, usually copper.
A la poupee
A printmaking technique in which different areas of a plate are inked with different colors.
A-Line Silhouette
Flared shape beginning at bust, waist, or hip.
Abaca
An extremely strong fiber that comes from stalks of banana trees.
Abalone
a seashell with a mesmerizing iridescent interior, with beautiful shades of blue, green, purple and silver that can be found along the coasts.
Abrasives
Coarse particles of natural sands and synthetic materials used to scrape away irregularities in a surface. The most common form is sandpaper, properly called coated stock.
Absorption
The capacity of a material to soak up liquid.
Abstract
(n) Nonrepresentational art. (v) Refers to the process of modifying what has been observed for expressive purposes.
Acid
A class of chemical compounds commonly used in printmaking and glass etching to eat away unprotected areas of the surface to create a design.
Acrylic
A water-soluble paint made with pigments and synthetic resin; used as a fast-drying alternative to oil paint.
Acrylic Paint
Made from pigments dispersed in a polymethyl methacrylate vehicle. Mostly soluble in water and fast drying. Less translucent than oil paint.
Acrylic Resin
A lightweight, durable plastic often used in jewelry-making to create vibrant, molded shapes.
Action Painting
A style of painting wth emphasis on the physical act of painting itself, rather than on any preconceived concepts. Involves large, gestural strokes, drips, splatters, and other techniques to convey energy and movement.
Additive
The creation of sculpture through the process of building and adding material.
Adsorption
The collecting of liquid on a surface by condensation.
Adularescence
A gemstone phenomenon characterized by a soft, billowy light that seems to float within a stone; the glow appears to move across the stone's surface as the angle of viewing changes.
Aerial Photography
Identifying a specialized branch of photography concerned with making photographs from aircraft for a variety of uses.
Aesthetic
A philosophical theory as to what is beautiful (esthetic). Concerning or characterized by an appreciation of beauty or good taste.
African Blackwood
A wood from eastern African that is dark purplish brown with black streaks.
Agate
A very hard, semiprecious stone with a striped or variegated pattern.
Airbrush
A method of spraying dyes or paints onto a surface using a brush device driven by an air compressor.
Akoya pearl
A saltwater pearl known for its intense luster, beautiful color, and near-perfect roundness.
Akoye Pearl
Akoya pearls are saltwater pearls cultivated in Japan and China. They're the most classic variety of pearl (and the most popular). Most Akoya pearls have a white or cream bodycolor with overtones of rose, cream and silver. These pearls range in size from 2mm to 10mm.
Alabaster
A fine-textured, usually white, gypsum that is easily carved and translucent when thin.
Albany Slip
A natural common surface clay which becomes a shiny brown or black glaze from cone 4 upwards.
Alcohol Ink
A fast-drying, waterproof, highly-pigmented, alcohol-based ink with a flowing, transparent quality which allows unique and versatile effects similar to watercolor.
Alexandrite
A gem which appears green in daylight and red in artificial light.
Alkalies
Base compounds of sodium, potassium and alkaline earths which function as low-temperature fluxes for silica.
Alla Prima
A process in which an entire painting is completed in a single session, rather than allowing the paint to dry between sessions. Also known as "direct painting." Comes from the Italian term for "at first."
Aluminum
A lightweight, silver-colored metal used extensively in commercial applications, and occasionally by metal artists. In a process called anodizing, aluminum is given a tough porous coating that can be colored with dyes.
Amazonite
A stone characterized by a vibrant color which can vary from light green to turquoise blue; named after the vivid colors of the Amazon rainforest.
Amber
The fossilized resin of prehistoric pine trees, which ranges in color from golden to orange-red.
Amboyna Burl
A dome-shaped growth on the trunk of a paduak tree, which are native to southeast Asia.
Ambrosia Maple
Ambrosia is a term applied to red maple wood when it has been infested by the ambrosia beetle. The beetle bores small holes into the tree that introduces a fungus which then grows. As the fungus spreades it causes streaks which produces a desirable pattern in the wood.
American Craftsman
A design philosophy stemming from the Arts and Crafts movement characterized by simplicity, originality, and the use of natural materials, typically with an emphasis on quality, and durability, clean lines and minimal ornamentation to highlight the inherent beauty of the wood.
Amethyst
a crystalline quartz in colors ranging from pale lilac to deep reddish purple. It is the February birthstone.
Ametrine
A unique, naturally-occurring gemstone that combines the qualities and colors of two distinct quartz varieties: amethyst and citrine.
Ammolite
An opal-like organic gemstone found primarily along the eastern slopes of the Rocky Mountains made of fossilized ammonite shells
Ammonite
The iridescent fossilized shells of extinct marine mollusks, used for their unique and colorful appearance.
Amorphous
Without specific form.
Amphora
A tall, ancient Greek or Roman jar with two handles and a narrow neck.
Anagama
Japanese for "cave kiln," this ancient wood-fired kiln originated in East Asia and is still used today due to its unique firing properties and effects. Variations include noborigama, waritake, and jagama kilns.
Analogous Colors
Colors that are closely related to each other and generally lie next to each other on the color wheel. Often used in groups of three or four, they are low in contrast and therefore blend well.
Andalusite
A mineral which often forms elongated prismatic crystals in shades of brown, green, and pink; displays different colors depending on viewing angle.
Andesine
A rare gemstone typically found in shades of red, orange, or champagne, sometimes with a subtle shimmer. Valued in jewelry for its warm hues and translucency.
Andradite
A garnet variety prized for its high brilliance and vibrant color, most commonly seen in green, yellow, or black.
Anegre Wood
A light-tan wood native to Africa.
Anigre
A wood native to East Africa commonly used in fine furniture, cabinetry, and interior design
Aniline Dye
A synthetic dye used to color a variety of materials. Commonly used to dye wood because it offers bright, transparent color while showcasing the wood's grain.
Annealing
(Glass) The gradual cooling of glass from higher working temperatures to room temperature, in order to reduce the amount of internal strain inherent in glass.
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