All about Swarovski crystal beads

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History of Swarovski Crystal
In 1862 Daniel Swarovski was born in Bohemia, then part of the Austro-Hungarian Empire. The area was an important center for manufacturing glass and crystal. He learned the glass cutting trade in his father’s small factory. At that time, cutting was done by hand.

In 1892 he invented a crystal cutting machine which was faster and more precise than hand cutting. In 1895 Daniel Swarovski, his brother-in-law Franz Weis, and Armand Kosmann founded the Swarovski company in Wattens, Austria near Innsbruck.

Machine cutting results in identical size, shape, and sharp facets. Swarovski crystal contains 32% lead which gives the glass purity and sparkle. Color is the result of adding chemicals during the formation of the crystals. As in gemstones, different chemicals absorb different wave lengths of light. We see the opposite color. Swarovski controls color and produces identical beads.

In 1995 the Swarovski company perfected a computer controlled technique for producing crystal beads that are even more precise. The perfect facets control light reflection and produce maximum sparkle.

Swarovski beads are available in many colors, coatings, and shapes. Coatings change the look of the color. The most popular, aurora borealis (AB) causes a rainbow effect. This color chart includes many, but not all, of their colors.

Swarovski Crystal Colors

Swarovski Birthstone Colors

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Special order handcrafted Swarovski crystal jewelry necklaces, bracelets and earrings in these colors.