Swarovski crystals - what is this? What are Swarovski crystals made of?

Everyone knows that for girls, best friends are diamonds. However, not everyone can afford the purchase of real gemstones. But relatively recently, thanks to the invention of Daniel Swarovski, crystal jewelry stones appeared on the market, very similar to diamonds - Swarovski crystals. The price for them is much lower than for real diamonds. However, they are virtually indistinguishable from the outside.

Often crystals are also called rhinestones. This name went on behalf of the jeweler Georges Strass, who lived in the eighteenth century and was known for being a master at forging diamonds.

Swarovski crystals - what is this?

About the same name the company heard everything. Their decorations are beautiful and conquered the whole world. But what kind of stones are they from? Often you can hear about Swarovski crystals, that this is just a miserable copy of diamonds, a fake of ordinary glass. However, this is not so.

Of course, crystals are not diamonds. The creator himself has always recognized that his stones are just an imitation of precious stones. But in fact, and their cost is much lower. And they look dignified.

And yet, from what do Swarovski crystals do? Of crystal. Today the company is a leading manufacturer of high-quality crystal glass all over the world. In the collections of the brand - more than one hundred thousand kinds of stones of the most diverse forms. Swarovski patented a special cut of rhinestones with a large number of lateral faces (seven narrow and wide).

Uniqueness of crystals

The brand's crystals are distinguished by the most sharp and polished faces, they are free of any defects: chipped or clouded. On the inside, a silvery-mirror substrate is placed on the walls of the rhinestones, thanks to which the radiance of the stones intensifies. The maximum play of light is achieved by adding sulfur oxide to the crystal.

The main highlight and peculiarity of the crystals is the material itself: absolutely transparent and high-quality crystal. It contains potash, soda, quartz sand and groundworm. They are mixed in special proportions. The creator of the brand personally developed a way of producing crystal, from which Swarovski crystals are made. What kind of a recipe is still unknown, since it is kept in the strictest secrecy. Such a conspiracy around production is understandable. After all, the secret of creating the famous crystal is a guarantee of the uniqueness, originality and capital of this honorable brand.

Who is Swarovski?

Daniel Swarovski was born in the Austro-Hungarian Empire in 1862. His homeland is the mountains of Bohemia. This area has long been known for its high-quality glass.

Father Daniel was an entrepreneur and owned a small glass workshop. Swarovski himself worked in the production of his father. It is said that he was a man of art and dreamed of becoming a musician. However, after working as an apprentice in his father's workshop, he decided to go to Paris and study for an engineer.

Once Daniel managed to visit the World Electrical Exhibition. Then he thought about the fact that the current can be used to polish glass. As a result, this idea was fatal. In 1891, Swarovski invented the world's first grinding machine based on electricity. With its help it was possible to process a large number of stones and glass. This event marked the beginning of the path to the Swarovski empire.

Creating a brand

Daniel Swarovski in 1895, together with his family left Bohemia and moved to a small village of Wattens. Here, together with his French partner, he bought out an empty factory and opened his company, which was engaged in faceting stones and was called A. Kosmann, DanielSwarovski & Co. Five years later, he renamed the name of his production to Swarovski. As the emblem Swarovski chose the edelweiss flower.

The cleverly cut and transparent crystal of the company was very much like a diamond. And due to the low price it became widely popular among different strata of the population. Over time, products with Swarovski crystals began to order and representatives of high society. Costume jewelry has ceased to be considered a sign of bad taste, but, on the contrary, has become fashionable in many elite homes in Europe.

The development and design of stones Swarovski was engaged throughout his life. He was also helped by his sons. Together they developed a formula for creating high-quality and pure crystal.

Today the brand emblem of the brand is the swan. This decision was made in 1988. The company's products are not only jewelry, but also paintings, figures, inlaid with crystals, and much more.

Creating a museum

By the centenary of the company (in 1995) they built the unique Swarovski museum. It is located near Innsbruck. The main entrance to the museum is made in the form of a giant's head. The eyes of the giant are the huge green crystals of Swarovski, and water flows from the mouth, without ceasing. This place is a real worship of crystal. Everything here shines, sparkles and amazes imagination. The museum's galleries are an underground labyrinth consisting of fifteen halls. One of these halls is the biggest boutique in the world of this brand.

Significant exhibits of the museum - this is the largest Swarovski crystal in 310 thousand carats, which reaches 40 centimeters in diameter and weighs 62 kilograms, as well as the smallest lens with a diameter of only 0.8 millimeters. Both crystals entered the world Guinness Book of Records.

Swarovski in the fashion industry

Swarovski crystals have long been used by world-famous people, brands and fashion houses. So in the mid-50's Christian Dior, who noted the quality of crystals, invited Swarovski to develop his own collection of jewelry. As a result of such cooperation, the crystals "Fireball" and "Drifting Emerald" were created.

The famous Marilyn Monroe in 1961 asked the fashion designer Jean Louis to create an exclusive dress in which she was to perform at the birthday of US President John F. Kennedy. Marilyn stepped onto the stage in a thin transparent dress, strewn with six thousand rhinestones.

In the 80's, the costumes of such world stars as Michael Jackson, Tina Turner and Bryan Ferry were also decorated with Swarovski rhinestones.

In 2009, the company's jewelers created a huge star for New York's Christmas tree. This jewelry weighed 250 kilograms and contained 25 thousand crystal plates.

In 2011, the company BlingMyThing at the Royal wedding of Prince William and Kate Middleton presented a chic MiniCooper car, the roof of which was strewn with 300 thousand Swarovski crystals, which were laid out in the form of a flag of Great Britain.

In 2013, during the world tour of Rihanna, which was called Diamonds, the singer's stage costumes were richly decorated with Swarovski rhinestones.

How to distinguish real Swarovski crystals from forgery?

Ornaments with Swarovski crystals are a welcome gift for any occasion. Charming glimmer and perfect cutting of stones will add sophistication to both everyday and evening image. However, when choosing this beauty, you can be deceived by simple and cheap rhinestones, which many unscrupulous sellers give out for the original stones of the famous brand. But how do you know when buying Swarovski crystals, that this is not a fake?

First, you need to remember what the brand's crystals are different from simple glass. The first difference is the composition of the crystals. They contain barium and lead oxide. The second difference is a perfectly smooth cut of the stone. Swarovski crystals are made very carefully, so they have clear edges and a certain angle selection. They are ideal in its kind - no opacities, chips or cracks. Well, the third difference is the price of jewelry. Of course, Swarovski crystals are not diamonds, but they are still much more expensive than regular rhinestones.

A few tips for customers of Swarovski products

Of course, no one is immune from mistakes. But to protect yourself from forgery is possible. In this case, the main thing is knowledge.

Never buy these products without branded packaging. This is a sure sign of forgery. Original Swarovski decorations, as well as placer crystals, are sold only in branded boxes with a brand logo - a swan.

Buy products in the company's branded centers, shops and boutiques.

Be sure to inspect the decoration. The original Swarovski smooth and clear cut, no chips and cracks, side edges of different widths, bright shine, pure color and absence of opacities.

To shine longer

Any jewelry, and Swarovski stones, especially, need special care.

First, they must be protected from water and high humidity, otherwise they will fade very quickly. Products must always be removed before water procedures, washing dishes and cleaning.

Store best in a dry place in a small box with a soft cloth inside. Swarovski jewelry should not be put together with other jewelry, as this can lead to minor scratches and other damages.

It is necessary to avoid getting on perfume or makeup jewelry - from this the crystals fade and sometimes drop out.

To clean ornaments it is necessary very slowly and cautiously. It is best to use a soft cloth or special napkins designed for cleaning the crystal. Do this at least once a month. Do not use household cleaners and detergents.

And of course, you need to protect jewelry from bumps and other physical damage.