AGATE

Agate is a variety of chalcedony (a family of microcrystalline quartz).

Agate is a very common stone that is often used in jewelry.

It is found in a wide range of colors,

including black, gray, brown,

reddish, 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.

The agate pin above is from Miracle.

AVON

The Avon cosmetics company also produced many lines of jewelry, beginning in the 1970's.

Avon jewelry includes figurals, perfume-holding pins,

watches, and standard items of costume jewelry.

The quality of these pieces ranges from cheaply-made to very good;

they were produced in large quantities.

Many people collect Avon items.

The Avon flower pin above has a faux coral flower.

ART

Art (also called ModeArt) was costume jewelry produced by Art Mode Jewelry Creations Inc.

It was in business from the 1940's until the late 1960's.

Their medium- to high-quality pieces included figurals,

Victorian replicas, and many different styles.

The beautiful Art pin above has delicate enamel work,

blue and green cabachon plastic moonstones,

tiny,

clear rhinestones,

a dangle,

and a Florentine finish.

APPLE JUICE

Apple juice plastic is a translucent,

golden yellow plastic is the color of apple juice.

The bangle above is

reverse-carved and painted in the areas

that are carved.