Swarovski and other (Czech) machine-cut crystal beads and pendants as well as home decor accessories use the technology developed by Daniel Swarovski in the late 1800s at his workshop in Wattens, Austria. The facet-edges are microscopically identical and fine which contributes to the extra scintillation and sparkle of a machine cut bead. Many of the glass colors are not found in other beads. Swarovski particularly has been successful in duplicating actual gemstone colors such as tanzanite, emerald, ruby, blue topaz, among others. You can usually tell if a faceted crystal bead has been machine cut--they simply effervesce. In addition, Swarovski developed a method to calibrate every stone so that jewelers could use standard settings. Scroll to the end of this page for more information on this fascinating topic.

The term "crystal" when used to refer to beads has dual meanings. It means machine cut facets; it can also mean any faceted bead. Crystal also refers to the semiprecious gemstone otherwise known as colorless quartz, also called rock crystal. Bead experts differentiate between machine-cut or fire-polish beads, as explained below.

All faceted glass beads on our Web site are mass-produced. The leading producers are in the Czech Republic and Austria. In Austria in the tiny town of Wattens is the Swarovski factory (imagine, I was in Austria and didn't visit). Swarovski was the first to perfect the production of machine-cut faceted beads and stones. Each bead is cut and faceted, much like a precious stone, by a special mechanical process perfected by Swarovski. This results in extremely "sharp" edges on each facet, and exact calibration of measurements so the facets produce the maximum sparkle and liveliness (refractance).

Refractance

Fire Polish

Fire polishing is a less costly way to finish the beads using heat, not individual machine cuts. The beads are pressed and then tumbled in a heated container to polish the facets. This process results in a perfectly beautiful bead, but the edges aren't as "sharp" nor are the facets as exactly sized. If you look very closely you can tell the difference between a machine-cut and a fire-polish bead, although from a distance it is nearly impossible.

Czech Machine Cuts

In recent years, Czech factories have also produced machine-cut faceted beads which sell for less than the premium Swarovski. The Czech machine-cuts are identical. It is truly impossible to see any difference. Production is a matter of getting the math right, and once this happens, the output is going to be identical no matter who makes it.

Individual Czech bead producers didn't develop the brand recognition as did Swarovski, although in the jewelry world the phrase "Czech bead" is synonymous with very high quality as well as originality, creativity, and tremendous variety of styles. Czech glass beads have been around much longer than 100 years, as evidenced by trade beads produced in Czechoslovakia/Bohemia that are more than 300 years old.

Crystal is a very high quality glass that can be colored, cut and faceted, and responds with sparkle and vivacity. The term "crystal" also refers to the clear colorless bead or stone, as well as a semiprecious quartz stone that is colorless.

There's nothing prettier than a holiday table set with good crystal wine and water goblets, reflecting every glimmer of the candlelight. In such a setting, you can show off your crystal earrings, necklace, and bracelet proudly.

Collecting Crystal Jewelry

In the Victorian era and up until the 1930s, jewelers strung crystal beads on fine silver or gold chain to ensure that the necklace and bracelet would never break. If you find a chain-strung strand at a flea market or estate sale, the necklace is probably very old. Ladies collected good crystal jewelry; many fine pieces were of karat gold set with carefully chosen faceted crystal shaped pieces. These pins and other items were the design precursors of the fabulous rhinestone (another word for faceted crystal) pins and earrings of the 1940s, 50s and 60s.

Some designers inlaid colored crystals into various hues of bakelite. These pieces are rare and very desirable.