Beads, Beading and Jewelry Products Online

Do you know where the color in crystal comes from?

Crystals are formed by a very slow and controlled heat reduction process.   Chemicals used during the process, as opposed to dies, dictate the color. Different chemicals absorb different wavelengths of visible light.  The result?  We see the opposite of this color.  For example, if the chemical added absorbed blue, we would see an orange crystal.

Interestingly enough, manufacturing a clear crystal is much more difficult than adding color.  There can be no impurities during the manufacturing process as even a small contamination could change the clarity of the crystal.  

The Swarovski company has more than one hundred years of experience producing the world's finest man-made crystal. Their crystal beads are unmatched in quality, excellence and brilliance. With a wide variety of colors, shapes and finishes.

In 1895, Daniel Swarovski invented a grinding machine that could produce large numbers of high-quality decorative stones. Today, the flawless shapes of Swarovski crystals are achieved through patented precision cutting techniques developed by the company. The resulting facet angles are sharp and microscopically identical, giving the beads exceptional brilliance sparkle. The Swarovski crystal has a 32% lead content qualifiying it as "fully leaded crystal".

The Swarovski company has been extremely successful in replicating the hues of semi-precious & precious gemstones. The vibrant, sparkling colors of Ruby, Tanzanite, Sapphire and Aquamarine as well as hundreds of other colors & variations.

Permanent coatings are applied to the crystal, which enhances the extraordinary color and reflective quality. Usually the coating is only applied to half of the bead, but if the color and coating name is followed by "2X", both halves of the crystal have been treated.

Transparent finishes such as Aurore  Boreale or "AB", the most popular Swarovski coating. AB coating is iridescent for rainbow effect. A clear crystal may appear slightly golden, with blue and pink highlights. Coating are applied to both clear and colored crystal.

Interestingly enough, manufacturing a clear crystal is much more difficult than adding color.  There can be no impurities during the manufacturing process as even a small contamination could change the clarity of the crystal.  

The Swarovski company has more than one hundred years of experience producing the world's finest man-made crystal. Their crystal beads are unmatched in quality, excellence and brilliance. With a wide variety of colors, shapes and finishes.

In 1895, Daniel Swarovski invented a grinding machine that could produce large numbers of high-quality decorative stones. Today, the flawless shapes of Swarovski crystals are achieved through patented precision cutting techniques developed by the company. The resulting facet angles are sharp and microscopically identical, giving the beads exceptional brilliance sparkle. The Swarovski crystal has a 32% lead content qualifiying it as "fully leaded crystal".

The Swarovski company has been extremely successful in replicating the hues of semi-precious & precious gemstones. The vibrant, sparkling colors of Ruby, Tanzanite, Sapphire and Aquamarine as well as hundreds of other colors & variations.

Permanent coatings are applied to the crystal, which enhances the extraordinary color and reflective quality. Usually the coating is only applied to half of the bead, but if the color and coating name is followed by "2X", both halves of the crystal have been treated.

Transparent finishes such as Aurore  Boreale or "AB", the most popular Swarovski coating. AB coating is iridescent for rainbow effect. A clear crystal may appear slightly golden, with blue and pink highlights. Coating are applied to both clear and colored crystal.