Swarovski crystal components are regarded as the highest quality machine cut and polished crystal beads in the world. The demand for luxury products unfortunately can create a host of imitators. The imitators are all over the Internet and at every bead show that we have visited.
What are rhinestones?
The American Heritage® Dictionary defines a rhinestone as a colorless artificial gem of paste or glass, often with facets that sparkle in imitation of a diamond.
The Rhine in rhinestone is the Rhine River, and rhinestone is a translation into English of the French phrase caillou du Rhin. Originally a rhinestone was a kind of rock crystal that was found in or near the Rhine. Other types of rock crystal, such as Cornish diamond, were given similar fancy names.
Because rhinestones could be made to imitate diamonds, the name rhinestone was applied to artificial gems made from paste, glass, or gem quartz and as a result often carries a connotation of showbiz glitz. Rhinestones are usually chatons with no hole and a foil back to increase reflectivity.
Rhinestone Colour Chart
Are there different quality rhinestones?
There are several "types" of rhinestones; the two main ones being Austrian and Czech. Generally, "Austrian" cut-crystal rhinestones are from Swarovski® and are without doubt the finest stones available. Swarovski are the standard against which all other rhinestones are judged.
Czech machine cut rhinestones are close in quality to Austrian cut-crystal rhinestones, and are typically cheaper. But the quality is still noticeably less than Swarovski. The most popular (and probably the best quality) Czech stones are Preciosa; which have less facets (8 facets versus 12 or 14) than Swarovski rhinestones. Many Czech rhinestones are "machine pressed," or molded, into shape rather than cut. These are much lower quality stones and are only recommended for inexpensive craft projects and children's apparel.
Acrylic rhinestones (usually Czech or Asian) are made from molded plastic. Because acrylic does not transmit light like glass or lead crystal, they do NOT sparkle like the real thing.
A quick summary by quality is as follows:
Best: Swarovski® Austrian Cut-Crystal Rhinestones;
Next: Czech and Asian Cut-Crystal Rhinestones;
Next: Machine Pressed (Molded) Crystal Rhinestones;
Next: Cut Glass Rhinestones (somewhat higher-quality than machine pressed Rhinestones, but lesser-quality than Cut Crystal Rhinestones;
Worst: Acrylic Rhinestones (Molded Plastic).
Why are Swarovski considered the best?
Swarovski sets the standard for cut, clarity, brilliance, and consistency. A huge variety of colors is offered, with new colors coming out about every 6 months. Many Swarovski lovers believe that the raw material used in the manufacture of their crystal occurs naturally.
Nothing could be further from the truth. Swarovski crystal is made at the factory in Wattens using basic formulae perfected by Daniel Swarovski and his three sons in the earlier part of last century. Swarovski crystal is fired using a combination of natural minerals and quartz sand, and then cooled slowly to avoid stress and inclusions.
Swarovski Crystal Colour Chart
Swarovski® - How to Ensure You are Getting the Real Thing
The Swarovski company creates its glass with a special compound that imitators cannot duplicate. This special compound creates the incredible brilliance of their product. The delicate color palette is another quality that sets Swarovski crystal components apart from others.
With so many crystal beads and components out there, how can you tell if the crystal you are purchasing is actually a Swarovski crystal component....or an imitation?
Here are some tips that can help you determine which crystals are genuine:
- Swarovski crystals are generally not strung when offered for sale.
- Look for the original Swarovski packaging. Dependant on size, the bulk packages will range from 10 gross to 1/2 gross, in well-branded, sealed envelopes. The newest Swarovski bulk packaging is sealed with an authenticated silver toned hologram saying "SWAROVSKI ELEMENTS."
- Swarovski crystals are perfectly uniform. Since they are machine cut, each crystal is the same. This means that the height, width and slope are consistent. A hand polished imitator bead will not have as uniform a cut. You may also notice different dimensions from bead to bead.
- Swarovski uses machinery that precisely cuts each crystal. 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." This is just part of the technology that gives Swarovski crystals their unbelievable flash.
- The precision cutting of Swarovski machinery allows each crystal to have its facet juncture "pointing up". This means the facet junctures all meet at precisely the same point. This is a similar aspect of diamond faceting. See the illustration above.
- AB finish Swarovski crystals have a uniform surface luster. There are no swirling marks from the vacuum process that produces the AB finish, and generally there are no scratches. The "imitations" often have scratches, swirl marks ("oily" looking surface). Some of these imperfections, in the "imposters", have to do with the lower quality of the finish. See the illustration above.
- When you look inside the crystal, you will see no bubbles. If you see any bubbles, you know immediately that it is a fake.
- Because of its special glass compounds, Swarovski crystal will out-sparkle a bead of lesser quality when placed in a side-by-side comparison.
New Cool Product Trends
1. Philips/Swarovski Heart Beat 1GB USB Drive
Philips/Swarovski Heart Beat 1GB USB Drive: $125
Product Information
- Silver Shade crystals set in Ceralun
- Stylish jewel in beautiful polished stainless steel
- Beautiful necklace and storage pouch
- 1GB storage capacity for large data files
- Fast data transfer with high-speed USB 2.0
- Share and store up to 250 songs and 1000 photos
- Specially designed and easy to use software included
- Protect your valuable, personal data with a password
- Mac OS 9.0 and higher
- Windows Vista, XP, 2000, ME, 98SE
- Linux 2.4.0 and higher
- USB port
2. Swarovski Clutch Bags
Swarovski Pucci Clutch Bag: Austrian Cut-Crystal Rhinestones: $675.00 USD
The clutch bags have high quality frames and have removable chain. Can be worn over the shoulder or carry it as a clutch if you prefer. Each clutch bag is studded with over 4000 -7000pcs of Genuine sparkling Swarovski crystals, they are completely covered in crystals with great brilliance as each bag is piece of art.
