abrasion/sanding The wearing away of any part of material by rubbing it against another surface. The term is often used to describe the processes of creating an aged look in denim. Abrasion can be achieved through hand rubbing with sandpaper or even washing garments with stones or rubber balls to break down the surface of the fabric. Think of the abraded seams and hems on your favorite pair of old jeans. This is the distressed look (as opposed to worn-out) that is entirely intentional.
agate A semiprecious type of quartz also known as chalcedony (pronounced kal-sed-nee). It forms in a wide variety of colors and textures. Each individual agate forms by filling a cavity in a host rock. Agate was highly valued as a talisman or amulet in ancient times. It was said to quench thirst or protect from fevers. Persian magicians used agate to divert storms.
amazonite: A semiprecious gemstone that is a variety of green microcline feldspar. It varies in color from apple green to bluish green. Also known as amazon stone, it is commonly found in the United States, Brazil, Zimbabwe, Russia, Australia and Namibia. It is said to enhance clarity and understanding while balancing human energies.
antique fleece A mellow blend of cotton and polyester. Washed for a soft, lived-in quality. Fleece lining lends a warm, cozy feel.
appliqué (pronounced a-plee-kay): Material that is cut out and sewn or embroidered and fastened to a fabric. Appliqué comes from the French appliquer, which means to "put on." The art of hand appliqué covers a wide spectrum, from primitive folk art to the sophistication of Baltimore Album quilts—elegant appliquéd quilts from the mid-1800s that were highly sought-after and considered an honor to receive.
authentic fit Our stretch boot-cut style with a vintage appeal. It sits below the waistline and follows the contours of hips and thighs with its slightly fitted approach. Whiskering detail adds to the "lived-in" appeal.
aventurine (sometimes known as goldstone) A shimmering quartz (crystalline mineral) stone that ranges in color from yellow and red to light green and light brown. The shimmer is caused by tiny metallic particles (mica) within the stone. The mineral aventurine takes its name from the well-known aventurine glass of Venice, Italy, which it resembles. As for how the glass obtained its name, tradition has it that a Murano workman accidentally dropped some copper filings in molten glass, creating an attractive new material. And so the glass was named avventurino for the Italian word avventura, or "by chance." Some of the largest deposits are found in India and the Ural Mountains of Russia. European sources include Scotland, Spain, France and Germany’s Bavarian region.