Best Gift Idea 18 Remarkably Beautiful Swarovski Gifts for All Occasions

18 Remarkably Beautiful Swarovski Gifts for All Occasions | The Ultimate Swarovski Gifts Guide

4. But Who’s Behind These Gorgeous Miracles – A Great Imitator or A Brilliant Engineer?

Swarovski’s history is both inspirational and informative. He’s often called the Great Imitator because Swarovski crystals are the most successfully created diamond imitation. And are absolutely legal. But Daniel Swarovski is actually a brilliant engineer because he managed to create these gorgeous crystals from … a simple glass. Using his engineering skills and freaking perfectionism.

Daniel was born in 1862, in the small village of Bohemia (present-day Czech Republic) in the family of glass-masters. So it is no surprise that he gained excellent skills at glass-making and glass-cutting. At that time, Bohemia was the center of the thriving glass industry and, naturally, the young Daniel began studying his father’s craft.

As a child, Daniel was interested in many new and different things. One of them was electricity. The other one – chemistry. After several years of glass crafting, Daniel decided to go to Paris to study chemistry, physics, and mechanics.

The real inspiration had come in 1883 when Daniel visited the First World Electrical Exhibition in Vienna. Truly fascinated by the new electric machines, Daniel came up with the idea to combine the traditional subtleties of glass with the modern possibilities of electricity.

9 years later he invented an electric grinder for stones. And also invented a formula to create sparkling crystals out of lead and glass.

As a result, incredibly beautiful diamond-like crystals were born in our world. Also, the shimmering rainbow sparkle (the AB effect) to the crystals making them even more shiny and unique.

Swarovski is now 5th-generation family-owned successful business with over 25,000 employees.

5. The Difference Between Swarovski Crystals And Swarovski Elements

So now, let’s talk about Swarovski and Swarovski elements. What is the difference?

Swarovski Crystals

Well, mainly Swarovski jewelry is made by Swarovski brand, by Swarovski designers, made with Swarovski crystals. They are also more expensive for the Swarovski label itself. In most cases, they are also made of precious metals such as white, pink and yellow gold.

If you are buying Swarovski jewelry, better do it either from the manufacturer’s website or Swarovski Amazon shop page or a local merchant that you are absolutely sure of. All Swarovski jewelry comes with an original certificate issued for this exact jewel. The stylish gift box in dark blue color is significant for the brand. So as their price – it is not at all low.

On the other hand, we have

Swarovski Elements

Swarovski Elements is the brand name for the loose Swarovski crystals used by the fashion, jewelry, and accessory industries. All jewelry (also clothing) fashion designers around the world want to use them for two reasons.

First, they look very elegant and shiny.

And second – they are at an affordable price as a diamond substitute.

Swarovski produces gazillion of crystals. Therefore sell them directly to companies that produce jewelry or fashionable accessories. So these manufacturers create different products with Swarovski elements and then sell them to customers like you and me. Their price, however, is pretty lower because the jewel itself is not of the famous brand.

But why I’ve seen products with Swarovski elements a bit pricey and even more expensive than genuine Swarovski?

Of course, it’s possible Swarovski Elements jewelry to cost much more than Swarovski jewelry. In case more crystals are included. Or the item is handmade. Maybe the item is made by a renowned designer with a lot of expensive materials?

Therefore, these items should carry a “Made with Swarovski Elements” label.

The Swarovski elements are used to decorate all sorts of things. For example phones, headphones, bottles, shoes, and whatever else. They are spread worldwide and many people use them in their work.

When you buy jewelry and wonder what to buy, you have to decide – choosing genuine Swarovski (and spending a good amount of money) or second best Swarovski elements (if you only want the crystal look, though not created by Swarovski designers).

6. How to Recognize Real Swarovski Crystal – 7 Proven Ways

Recently there are hundreds of companies that offer products with Swarovski inlaid stones. This does not mean, however, that these are all genuine Swarovski pieces of jewelry, but just using the popular crystal elements popularity.

The bad news is that there are also many counterfeits trying to imitate the Swarovski logo.

So here I’ll let you know how to recognize the true crystal to avoid trouble buying it.

Perfection

The Swarovski crystals are perfect in just any matter. These BIG NO-NOs should be your RED ALERTS that something is not really good:

physical disabilities
flaws or bubbles inside the crystal ( even the tiniest ones)
scratches
oily layer on the surface of the crystal.

In addition, the precise cutting of Swarovski with machines allows each crystal to have “pointing up” corners. This means that the dimensions meet exactly at the same point (similar to the razor-cut diamonds).

The genuine Swarovski crystals have a 100% match and symmetry. According to the company’s specialists, cutting of crystals is an extremely complex task. Each direction of reflected light must first be measured by a computer, then a precise 3D model is created, only then the complex programs for control of the cutting machines proceed. Just perfection in any perspective.

Shine

Swarovski crystals have a brilliant shine that outshines imitation crystal. The fake crystals are blurry and do not provide the unique glow of the original Swarovski. Especially for The Swarovski Aurora Borealis technique (a.k.a. Northern Lights). It gives the crystals the same exceptional glow on the surface of each tiny crystal. There are no scars from the vacuum process that sets the AB final.

Identical

Swarovski crystals are exactly identical in size and cut. Remember that the real Swarovski crystals are computer-made. Meaning, in case you bought a 2.4 crystal, it must be just as big. If there is any deviation, keep in mind that you have come across a bad product that does not fit the true high Swarovski standards.

Color

There is no difference in color of the crystals of the same color family.

Logo

Packaging must have a label “Swarovski” and logo with the world-famous swan. In case you buy a figurine, have in mind that on vintage Swarovski Crystal figurines that were crafted prior to 1975, the logo will be an attractive Edelweiss flower. A symbol of alpinism and purity, the Edelweiss is one of the most beloved flowers in Austria. After 1975 the company changed their logo, turning it into an “S.A.L.” logo. Until 1989 when the Swan made its debut. Any crystal figurine that doesn’t bear one of these logos isn’t a Swarovski. When purchasing Swarovski crystal figurines online, you should request a clear, up-close photo of the logo.

Loose Stones

Swarovski crystals are sold as loose stones and not on a string, except for Swarovski pearls.

Package

All Swarovski crystals come in a dark blue box with an international certificate and a booklet that tells the customers more about the item. If you do not receive you Swarovski with these, be aware that you have come across a bad Swarovski fake.

7. How To Take Care of Swarovski Crystals

It is very important to know the proper way to take care of Swarovski crystals. This includes:

Do not treat the crystals with chemicals, or put under water.
Better don’t wear Swarovski during sports, swimming, beaching (the human sweat or salty liquids could sort of ruin the crystals).
Avoid body lotions and creams having contact with these crystals.
Save the original packaging to have is a guarantee. If you need to return the product, you should provide the original packaging from the store. If you do not have it, you will not be able to use the warranty.
Use a soft cloth for cleaning your piece of jewelry (the original Swarovski comes with one in the box).
When you don’t wear your Swarovski jewelry, keep it in the original box or at least in a separate box.

Remember, one of the most common mistakes is storing Swarovski’s jewels with other jewels. If you put Swarovski with many more pieces of jewelry, there’s a risk of scratching or damaging the artificial crystals.

8. Swarovski Popularity

Image credit: http://www.lesartsdecoratifs.fr
Advertisement, Christian Dior, 1964, dress by Lanel with Swarovski Aurora Borealis Crystals

It’s absolutely not possible to mention all Swarovski lovers in Hollywood. So if you think this type of jewelry and accessories are not good enough, then think again. And remember that in the mid-50s Christian Dior himself asked Swarovski company to create a special crystal to fulfill his Versay’s-glam-look-inspired collection. The result was glamorous – Swarovski developed the fascinating “Aurora Borealis”.

Or just “AB” effect.

Swarovski is not only on the red carpet but on cinema too. Ever since early 1939, the movie “The Wizard of Oz”. The shiny crystals on the legendary ruby slippers of Dorothy are actually Swarovski.

Image credit: http://www.frockflicks.com/tbt-the-wizard-of-oz/

In 1977, Swarovski launched their own jewelry collection including watches and rings. Swarovski crystals are seen in the fashions of top designers, including D&G, Chanel, and Louis Vuitton. Swarovski also created the 9-foot diameter, 550-pound star-shaped crystal in 2004 that has sat on top of the Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree in New York City every year since.

If you really want to see the extensive Swarovski collection of glam creations, better visit their museum in Austria, opened since 1995.