Thread: What are Swarovski Crystals?

This may be a stupid question, but what exactly are Swarovski crystals? I keep seeing them mentioned, but I really don’t know what they are. I get that they’re expensive, shiny things to put on costumes, but that’s about it. I tried looking up information, and all I can seem to find is that Swarovski was really good at cutting glass, and then he later made crystal glass. Are the Swarovski crystals made out of the crystal glass? Why is everyone in love with them?

Yes, Swarovski's are made from crystal glass. The process is generally done by adding lead or other metals into the glass to increase the light refraction as well as the strength of the glass. It also increases the weight and the cost.

Technically, Swavorski crystals are beads or rhinestones. But they, and other "crystals" have gotten their name because of the material which they are made from.

{{{HUGS}}}

its just a brand name of crystal, like limoge porcelain or nike shoes or kleenex tissue

They all have silver foil backs so they reflect as much light as possible. They, Swarovski, also have more facets than the Czech cut crystals (the second most popular). They are faceted better, the angles are more accurate than the Czech as well. (The Czech ones are fine, and still better than acrylic, because they are still crystal.. but don't shine quite as much)
So take a diamond- a big chunk, no matter how clear, isn't anything until it's cut, and the better the cuts (angles and such) the more it shines. : )

Everyone is asking me about china stones now from the "why are costumes so expensive thread"
Yes almost all the designers use china stones.
I discovered this while I was buying swarovskis. They ran out of the size I wanted but the lady said she had china. I sat there for 30 minutes trying to tell the difference and the only thing was the weight and the backing. The brilliance was almost the same in the AB variety but noticeably different in the crystal variety.
The swarovskis we use on costumes - mainly the 16mm and 25mm - are not laser inscribed and are very expensive these days.
The china stones are gorgeous don't get me wrong but there are lots of other stone brands out there.
MC makes high end glass stones, preciosa is next in line to swarovski.
And then there are the old czech stones which is what I buy in bulk. I am really fortunate to have a guy who specializes in old stock glass from the 20's to the 60's many in unopened envelops. They come in a much wider range of styles and colors. They are also superior to the MC stones which basically try to copy the vintage stones.
Acrylic is a totally different thing. It is what you buy at joann's. Glue on or sew on flat backs. They are not very appropriate for costuming in my opinion. Also many professional glues will eat acrylic like acid so that's another issue. They are lead free however but are basically on the level of plastic.
So I hope this helps. You can ask your designer where they get their stones. Which ones they use etc.. It's good to know what you are buying.
This is definitely changing the price of sparkly things and affecting companies like swarovski. But sew on stones are only a very small part of swarovski. They are known mainly for figurines and crystal stemware and such.

Sorry to be dunce, Eshta, but what's "MC"?

I´ve noticed that many cheaper "jewels"made of plastic lose their shine *fast*.

MC stones are from a high end company in china who basically copies vintage stones and has a huge variety of colors and shapes. All glass and fairly expensive. They are really filling the niche for different colored stones.
In the 90's one of the last major stone maufacturers went out of business. So just preciosa and swarovski were left.
The best different colored stones are old stock west german but they are hard to find.

Also preciosa doesn't make the big stones need for costuming. So that is pretty much only swarovski, MC - who doesn't do big AB crystal - and China knock offs.
The choices are so limited.

What are AB crystals?

Originally Posted by eshtabellydance

Everyone is asking me about china stones now from the "why are costumes so expensive thread"
Yes almost all the designers use china stones.
I discovered this while I was buying swarovskis. They ran out of the size I wanted but the lady said she had china. I sat there for 30 minutes trying to tell the difference and the only thing was the weight and the backing. The brilliance was almost the same in the AB variety but noticeably different in the crystal variety.
The swarovskis we use on costumes - mainly the 16mm and 25mm - are not laser inscribed and are very expensive these days.
The china stones are gorgeous don't get me wrong but there are lots of other stone brands out there.
MC makes high end glass stones, preciosa is next in line to swarovski.
And then there are the old czech stones which is what I buy in bulk. I am really fortunate to have a guy who specializes in old stock glass from the 20's to the 60's many in unopened envelops. They come in a much wider range of styles and colors. They are also superior to the MC stones which basically try to copy the vintage stones.
Acrylic is a totally different thing. It is what you buy at joann's. Glue on or sew on flat backs. They are not very appropriate for costuming in my opinion. Also many professional glues will eat acrylic like acid so that's another issue. They are lead free however but are basically on the level of plastic.
So I hope this helps. You can ask your designer where they get their stones. Which ones they use etc.. It's good to know what you are buying.
This is definitely changing the price of sparkly things and affecting companies like swarovski. But sew on stones are only a very small part of swarovski. They are known mainly for figurines and crystal stemware and such.

Hi, Estha! I wish someday you could meet my sweetie. You've probably seen my posts about the jewelry he makes using Swarovski (and sometimes now he HAS to use some of the other brands for various reasons--price, colors, availability). You two could probably talk HOURS about crystals, LOL!!!
Any chance you will be at Rakk West in March??? It would be fun if you two could meet! (He has old stock, too, but is running out. I was fortunate to have bought a lot of German glass pieces found in warehouses in Europe that I use for my own projects & jewelry. They were not cheap, either, 'tho!!)

PS -- I find the prices on the costumes you make unbelievably reasonable, regardless of whether you are using Swarovski/Chinese/Preciosa, etc. They are worth the price just for your workmanship & the time spend! And they are so elegant and ...... welll ..... DELICIOUS!!!!

Originally Posted by Karnak

What are AB crystals?

Aurora Borialis (SP). They have an iridescent sheen to them.

{{{HUGS}}}

I want to go but just to hang out. Not vend or dance. I'd love to carpool with other dancers if possible.

Originally Posted by tahiradancer

Aurora Borialis (SP). They have an iridescent sheen to them.

{{{HUGS}}}

Thanks!

I have 3 jewelry sets of swarovski that I bought from Farasha and Su'ad (Ct and NJ). They are my favorites of all my jewelry; I've even been known to wear them for the flouncy skirt look (avoiding the G word, there!) and for evenings out. They make me feel so purty!