SANDARAC STANDARD TEARS 150G

Sandarac is a natural, hard, brittle resin derived from the Tetraclinis articulata tree [also known as the Avar tree or sandarac tree], primarily sourced from Morocco. It is characterized as a high-adherence, lustrous, and transparent resin, often found as resinous tears.

Key Uses and Applications
* Varnish for Violins and Furniture: Due to its hardness, it is widely used in varnishes for string instruments and furniture.
* Conservation and Art: Used in varnishes for paintings, particularly as a protective layer over watercolors.
* Calligraphy and Painting: Ground sandarac is used as pounce on parchment or paper to prepare the surface, prevent ink bleeding, and ensure crisper lines.
* Photographic Restoration: A standard component in varnish for wet plate collodion photography.
* Incense: Sandarac is used in incense blends for its warm, balsamic, frankincense-like fragrance.
* Medical and Historical Uses: It has historical uses as a fixative, in dental preparations, and in traditional, non-toxic preservatives for cadavers and histology samples.

Characteristics
* Solubility: Soluble in ethyl alcohol [ethanol].
* Properties: Transparent, high-gloss, and durable finish.
* Composition: Contains sandaracopimaric acid, with some debate over the presence of agathalic acid as a major component.

Standard Forms
Sandarac is typically sold as solid, unrefined resinous tears, powder, or pre-mixed varnish.