SWAROVSKI CRYSTAL
Swarovski Crystal Yes, yes we know. It's not really a gemstone, but it is true that brightly coloured Swarovski are finding their way into so much designer jewellery it deserves a mention.
Swarovski crystals are precision-cut lead crystal glass products produced by Swarovski AG of Feldmeilen, near Zürich, Switzerland.
In order to create a crystal that allows light to refract in a rainbow spectrum, the crystals are coated with metallic compounds. Aurora Borealis, or "AB", is one of the most popular coatings, and gives the surface a rainbow oil slick appearance.
A recent development was the 2004 release of Xilion, a new cut designed to increase the brilliance of Roses (crystal with flat backs) and Chatons (diamond cut). To us they look like CZ's but if anything even glitzier.
