Sparkling Crystal Facts

As most of you know I’m rather fond of crystals and use them a lot in our jewellery designs. Crystal beads caught in sunshine or in lights on an evening out give our glass bead jewellery the added wow factor that people notice and love. For me the addition of crystals in bridal jewellery designs or jewellery for bridesmaids is a must too; they give pearls a luxurious shine and look absolutely stunning teamed with diamante.  But how much do you know about crystals? Here are some top sparkly facts;

  • Lead Oxide is added to glass to create lead crystal which is used in these beads. This addition increases the refractive properties of the crystal giving it the famous sought after sparkle. 
  • Lead crystal is easier to work and cut making crystal bead manufacture more efficient.
  • The crystal beads are facetted/cut during manufacture to create prisms that refract light or sparkle.
  • Spectacular coatings and colours are used to create beautiful beads, pendants and set stones.

 

Crystal Colours

Just a few of the stunning crystal colours and finishes available.

 

  • The two market leaders in quality crystal bead production are Swarovski and Preciosa.
  • The Jablonec area of Bohemia (now called the Czech Republic) is where this sparkling technology was developed.
  • Glassmaking began in the Jablonec region in the 14th Century and Crystal production started there in the 1700’s. 
  • Preciosa was formed by the merger of a number of factories around Jablonec in the 1940’s.
  • Swarovski was founded by Daniel Swartz who later changed his name to Swarovski in the late 1890’s.
  • Originally an apprentice glass cutter in his father’s small glass factory in Northern Bohemia, Daniel Swarovski went on to develop an electric cutting machine (patented in 1892) and in 1895 founded the now famous Swarovski crystal company which is based in Austria.
  • His development of an electric cutting machine and use of hydroelectric power meant that crystals could be manufactured in far greater quantities and with great precision.

 

Pearls, crystal and diamante

Luscious pearls with Swarovski crystals and diamante

 

  • Other developments have included the famous AB or Aurora Borealis coating which gives the rainbow effect reminiscent of the Northern Lights. 
  • Swarovski crystals come in a staggering variety of shapes and colours. The xillion or bicone being the most popular shape of crystal produced.

 

Thanks for reading, hope you enjoyed our sparkly crystal facts.

Julieann 17.02.12

©Julieann Beads

 

 

 

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