SWAROVSKI ROCKS
Ever wondered why Swarovski crystals are so different, so special, so utterly superior to anything else on the market?
Well, it’s all down to a combination of materials and Daniel Swarovski.
Swarovski crystals have a unique composition They contain at least 32% lead which makes them look exceptionally clear and pure. Each crystal is then cut to bring out extremely precise facets and prisms before being treated or coated to create literally hundreds of shapes and sizes of stones, beads, pendants.
Daniel Swarovski was a visionary Born in 1862 in Bohemia, the centre of the glass industry, Daniel Swarovski began his working life in his father’s glass cutting factory where he became determined to automate the process. True to his vision, in 1892 he designed the first electrical cutting machine before moving on to revolutionise the grinding and polishing processes and finally expanding into glass manufacturing.
By 1912, as well as crystal clear gemstones, the first-ever coloured crystals, were added to the Collection creating the famous, highly sought-after Swarovski brand that was to dominate the costume jewellery world for the entire 20th Century.
In 1956 Swarovski also scored another major triumph when he introduced the world to Aurora Borealis crystal. An effect achieved by coating clear Swarovski crystals with wafer-thin metal particles and steaming them in a vacuum. The result, in collaboration with Christian Dior, was not only a crystal with intensified sparkle, but one that also displayed a spectacular rainbow effect on every facet of the crystal.
As the years passed, Swarovski Crystal beads became the darlings of the rich and famous and the Swarovski Collection became the most-respected, highly sought after costume jewellery in the world.
By late 1980s, the Swarovski Company diversified into accessories with a limited edition of innovative and contemporary jewels, belts and handbags designed by leading Italian designers and architects: Ettore Sottsass, Alessandro Mendini, and Stefano Ricci.
To this very day, the finest cut crystals are still created exclusively in the Swarovski factory in Austria and they’re featured in each one of the superior and very special necklaces, bracelets, earrings and rings on this website
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