The beauty of Swarovski crystal is unmatched. The distinctive cuts,
broad spectrum of colors and selection set Swarovski crystal apart from
all other crystal manufacturers. Swarovski crystal jewelry enthusiasts
can find Swarovski crystal bangles and bracelets, Swarovski crystal
earrings, necklaces and pendants, pins, rings and even tiaras. This is
not to mention the many Swarovski crystal home goods, figurines and
specialty items.
Swarovski crystal is recognized as some of the most magnificent crystal
made worldwide. Given the brilliance, variety and innovation of
Swarovski crystal, its popularity is no surprise.
Swarovski crystal was born when Daniel Swarovski invented an automatic
cutting machine in 1892. In this, Daniel Swarovski created a world of
fashion fantasy as he began to cut sparkling facets into crystal.
It can be argued that Daniel Swarovski transformed fashion and beauty
forever when he created sparkling Swarovski crystal jewelry.
Discriminating crystal lovers value Swarovski crystal. With incomparable
crystal purity the quality of Swarovski crystal is beyond compare.
Whatever Swarovski crystal jewelry you choose, you’re sure to love it!
History
Swarovski crystal was born when Bohemian-born Daniel Swarovski invented
an automatic cutting machine in 1892. In 1895 the Swarovski company was
founded when he established a crystal cutting factory in Wattens. Here
he could take advantage of local hydroelectricity for the
energy-intensive grinding processes he had patented.
Swarovski crystal contains approximately 32% lead to maximize
refraction. The Swarovski Crystal range includes crystal sculptures and
miniatures, jewelry and couture, home decor, chandeliers, and beads and
rhinestones for manufacturers and artists.
In order to create a crystal that allows light to refract in a rainbow
spectrum, Swarovski coats some of its crystals with special metallic
chemical coatings. Aurora Borealis, or "AB", is one of the most popular
coatings, and gives the surface a rainbow oil slick appearance. Other
coatings include Crystal Transmission, Volcano, Aurum, and Dorado.
Coatings are applied to 50% of an object, however some are coated two
times, and thus are designated AB 2X, Dorado 2X etc.
The original Swarovski logo was an edelweiss flower, but was replaced
with the current swan logo in 1988. All sculptures are marked with this
logo. A recent development was the 2004 release of Xilion, a new
copyrighted cut designed to optimise the brilliance of Roses (crystal
components with flat backs) and Chatons (diamond cut).
Swarovski
Swarovski is the luxury brand name for the range of precision-cut
crystal glass products produced by companies owned by Swarovski AG of
Feldmeilen, near Zürich, Switzerland.
The Swarovski Group also includes Tyrolit (makers of abrasive and
cutting tools); Swareflex (reflective and luminous road markings);
Signity (synthetic gemstones); and Swarovski Optik (optical
instruments).
The company runs a crystal-themed indoor theme park, Swarovski
Kristallwelten (Crystal Worlds) at its original Wattens site (near
Innsbruck, Tyrol, Austria).
Swarovski was also a sponsor for The Phantom of the Opera (2004 film),
in which the "standing model" of the chandelier was composed of
Swarovski crystals. A Swarovski shop window is also visible later in the
film. However, the current swan logo, instead of the edelweis flower
which would have been the case in the era the film was set, appears.
