Who is Swarovski?
Daniel Swarovski, formerly David Swartz, was the son of a glass cutter in Bohemia, where he became skilled in the art of class-cutting. In 1892, he invented and patented a revolutionary electric cutting machine, using hydro-electricity, that was used in the production of crystal glass. This allowed crystals to be cut more precisely than by hand. Swarovski is now a fifth generation family-owned business with over 25,000 employees.
Swarovski has two major businesses: 1) producing and selling loose elements to the industry, and 2) creating precision-cut crystals for jewelry, figurines, and home decor. In 1956, together with Christian Dior, Swarovski developed the “Aurora Borealis” effect, which gives a shimmering rainbow sparkle to the crystals. In 1977, Swarovski launched their own jewelry collection including watches. Swarovski crystals are seen in the fashions of top designers, including D&G, Chanel, and Louis Vuitton with their crystals and crystal mesh fabric adorning many fabulous creations.
In 1995, Swarovski opened a museum in Austria showcasing the extensive Swarovski collection
Swarovski created the 9′ diameter, 550 pound star that sits on top of the famous Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree in New York City every year since 2004.
What is Swarovski Crystal?
Swarovski crystals are man-made gems manufactured in Austria. In 1892, Daniel Swarovski invented a machine for making precision-cut, beautiful, high quality lead glass crystals using quartz, sand, and minerals. The exact proportions of these raw materials has remained a company secret. This specialized manufacturing process ensures the highest possible degree of precision which produces brilliant crystals. For five generations, the Swarovski family has continued the tradition of making the most recognized crystals in the world out of their factory in Wattens, Austria.
Are Swarovski Silver Crystals made of real silver?
The Swarovski silver crystal line was created by a Swarovski craftsman who was able to capture a silvery shine in the facets of the lead glass crystals. Swarovski Silver Crystals are made using a combination of natural minerals and quartz sand. The crystals are then slowly cooled, which helps avoid stress and imperfections. Swarovski silver crystals have a spectral brilliance that gives them their unique silver color, giving the impression that they are made of real precious metal.
Why are Swarovski crystals more expensive than glass?
The method of production and processing of raw resources are important factors in the quality of finished crystals. Swarovski uses only the finest materials to fashion faceted lead glass that is known around the world for its brilliance and value. Superior production, materials, cutting, and polishing are what set Swarovski crystals apart from other glass works. According to Swarovski, “Cutting hard materials such as crystal and gems, in such a way that they have a hundred identical facets in several directions, is a very complicated task; each direction of the reflected light must first be calculated by computer, then this has to be simulated in 3D, optimized and finally converted into control programs for complex machinery.”
