Helms/Helmets: Not a part of the official blazon, the helmet varies with the bearer's rank, the century represented, or the herald's or artist's preference.  They can be represented as either silver (argent) or gold (or).

Mantle/Mantling: Not a part of the official blazon (except that sometimes the colors are specified), the design varies with the herald's or artist's preference.  This is said to represent the bearer's cloak, even though it may often look more like the leaves of a plant. The colors can be changed.

The Shields: There is some debate as to the meaning of the shape of the shield.  Most historians agree that the shape was usually determined by the time period and geographic region.  The shape is not a part of the official blazon, so modern heraldry artists choose shapes to suit the design.