who loves swarovski? i do!!!

swarovski by wikipedia - 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 (near Innsbruck, Tyrol, Austria). 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.

 
Swarovski crystal beadsIn 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 a new copyrighted cut, Xilion, designed to optimise the brilliance of Roses (crystal components with flat backs) and Chatons (diamond cut).

-- wikipedia
@123456_ (1052)
Philippines
December 14, 2006 11:48pm CST
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.
4 responses
@Aloeli (398)
• Portugal
11 Jan 07
i love swarovski
1 person likes this
• Philippines
4 Apr 08
I do!!!! My favorites are the blue and white ones. they're sooo elegant. Wher can I get them? Could you please tell me some sites
• United States
7 Feb 07
I love beading with Swarovski crystals. There are so many shapes, finishes and colors out there right now and I love working with them. I had no idea the company ran a theme park though...I'd love to visit it one of these days as I'm sure it would be an amazing place.
• United States
7 Feb 07
I love beading with Swarovsku crystals. There are so many shapes, colors and finishes out there right now that it can get overwhelming at times!