What Are Swarovski Crystals? Your Complete Guide to the Sparkle

When you think of sparkles, Swarovski crystals are probably the first thing that comes to mind. They have been catching the light on red carpets, dance costumes, bridal gowns and nail art for well over a century. But what are Swarovski crystals exactly, what are they made of, and are they actually real? In this guide we will answer all of those questions, explain how they are made, and show you the different types you can use in your own creations.

Swarovski crystals are a high quality, precision-cut crystal glass made in Austria from a special blend of quartz sand and minerals. They are not mined gemstones, and they are not diamonds. Their famous sparkle comes from the way they are cut, not just from what they are made of.

This is your complete guide to Swarovski crystals and what makes their signature sparkle.

What are Swarovski crystals?

Swarovski crystals are a brand of precision-cut crystal glass, made by the Swarovski company. They are not a naturally mined stone and they do not occur in the earth. Instead, they are carefully made and cut to give the brilliant, consistent sparkle the brand is known for around the world.

Because they combine that sparkle with reliable quality, Swarovski crystals have become the benchmark for man made shine across a huge range of creative work. You will find them used in jewellery, fashion, dance, bridal wear, theatre costume, nail art and craft. Whether it is a single crystal on a greetings card or thousands stitched onto a competition dress, the appeal is the same: dependable, dazzling sparkle every time.

What are Swarovski crystals made of?

Swarovski crystals are a high quality type of man made glass. They are crafted from a mix of the finest quartz sand, natural minerals and other ingredients. The exact blend is a closely guarded secret, but it is commonly said to be based on silica, soda and potash. It is this special recipe, combined with the cutting, that makes them so bright and clear.

In the past, Swarovski crystals contained lead, which was used to increase their brilliance and weight. In 2012 the company changed its process and moved to a lead-free formula, known as Advanced Crystal. This was a safer and more eco-friendly approach, and it brought the crystals in line with strict European safety regulations. The clever part is that the lead-free formula was designed to keep the same beautiful brilliance, so there is no real difference in sparkle between the older and newer crystals.

Crystal, glass or gemstone? What Swarovski actually is

One of the most common questions is whether Swarovski crystals are "real crystals". The confusion comes from the word crystal itself, which is used to mean a few different things. Here is a simple way to understand it:

• Natural crystal: a mineral that forms in the earth over a very long time, such as quartz or amethyst. It is mined, not made.

• Glass: a man made material melted from silica at high temperature and then cooled. Everyday window glass falls into this group.

• Crystal glass: glass with added minerals that boost its clarity and brilliance. This is what Swarovski is, the word crystal here is a glassmaking term for a grade of glass, not a claim that it is a mined mineral.

• Gemstone: a natural or lab-grown precious stone such as a diamond, sapphire or ruby. Swarovski crystal is not a gemstone.

So Swarovski sits firmly in the crystal glass group, it’s genuinely and precisely made crystal glass, engineered for exceptional clarity and light. The same glassmaking use of the word crystal is what you see in famous names like Waterford or Baccarat, so Swarovski is using the term exactly as the wider industry does.

Are Swarovski crystals real?

Yes, Swarovski crystals are real. They are genuine, precision-cut crystal glass, really made by Swarovski. What they are not is real diamonds or mined gemstones.

Because they are cut to give diamond-like fire and sparkle at a fraction of the cost, Swarovski crystals are sometimes called simulated or imitation diamonds. That is a fair description of the effect, but it is worth being clear that they are their own thing: a high quality crystal glass prized in its own right, not a fake version of anything. For most costume, fashion, dance and craft work, that brilliant sparkle is exactly what you want, without the price tag of natural stones. If you want to be sure you are buying the genuine article, our guide on how to tell if Swarovski crystals are real walks you through the tell-tale signs.

How are Swarovski crystals made? The secret to the sparkle

So what are Swarovski crystals made of that makes them so special? The honest answer is that it is not just the raw materials, it is the way they are cut and polished.

Swarovski uses advanced cutting technology and its own patented methods to create crystals with many tiny facets. A facet is one of the small flat faces cut into the surface of the crystal. Each one is angled to catch and bounce back the light, so more facets mean more sparkle. The brand's well known Xirius cut is a good example: a highly precise cut with a starburst pattern of facets that gives a brilliant, diamond-like flash.

This level of precision is what sets Swarovski apart from ordinary moulded glass. Every crystal is carefully polished to be free from scratches and flaws, and, just as importantly, every stone of the same type looks exactly the same. That consistency is why professional costume makers, jewellery designers and nail technicians rely on them. When you are covering a whole dress or a full set of nails, you need each crystal to match the last one perfectly.

How hard are Swarovski crystals?

Durability is a fair thing to wonder about, especially for pieces that get worn and handled. Hardness is measured on something called the Mohs scale, which runs from 1 (softest) to 10 (hardest). Here is roughly where Swarovski crystal sit:

In practice, this means Swarovski crystals are harder and more scratch-resistant than ordinary glass, and much tougher than cheap plastic or acrylic stones. They are softer than natural quartz, sapphire and diamond, so those materials could scratch them. They are durable enough for everyday sparkle, but a sharp knock on a facet edge can chip them, so it is worth storing pieces carefully and keeping them apart from harder items. Once your crystals are applied, our guide on how to clean Swarovski crystals will help you keep them sparkling for longer.

Where are Swarovski crystals made?

Where Swarovski crystals are made is a common question,  the company was founded by Daniel Swarovski in 1895 in Austria, where he patented a cutting machine that made it possible to cut crystal with extraordinary precision. That Austrian heritage and attention to detail is a big part of why the name became so trusted.You can read the full story in our ultimate guide to Swarovski crystals.

Images courtesy of Swarovski, Daniel Swarovski 1910

What makes Swarovski crystals special?

Unlike cheaper crystals made from plastic, acrylic or resin, Swarovski crystals are cut glass. This makes them clearer, more brilliant and more durable, with that consistent finish every stone shares. For anyone who wants a professional result, that reliability is worth a great deal.

Swarovski is also known for its special coatings, the most famous is the Aurora Borealis finish, usually shortened to AB and often listed as Crystal AB. This is a fine coating applied to the crystal that gives it an iridescent, rainbow-like shimmer, so the stone flashes different colours as it moves in the light. It is a favourite for adding extra magic to dancewear and costume.

The different types of Swarovski crystals for makers

If you are buying Swarovski crystals to use rather than to wear, it helps to know the main forms they come in. Here is a quick guide:

• Flatback hotfix: flat-backed crystals with a heat-activated glue on the back. You apply them with heat, from a hotfix applicator or iron, and the glue melts to hold them in place. Great for fabric and costume. Our guide on how to apply Swarovski hotfix crystals takes you through it step by step.

• Flatback non hotfix: flat-backed crystals with no glue backing, applied using a separate craft glue. Ideal for nail art, tooth gems and surfaces where you cannot use heat. You can see the full range in our Swarovski flatback non hotfix collection, and our guide to the best glue for Swarovski crystals will help you pick the right adhesive.

• Sew on stones: crystals with small holes so they can be stitched directly onto fabric, which is lovely for dancewear and bridal.

• Beads and charms: for jewellery making and threading.

• Chatons: pointed-back stones, usually set into cups or settings rather than glued flat.

• Nail art and tooth crystals: tiny sizes made for beauty work.

Different projects suit different forms, so if you are not sure which to pick, our friendly team is always happy to talk it through with you. It also helps to get the size right, so take a look at our Swarovski crystal sizes guide before you buy.

Alternatives to Swarovski

If you love the Swarovski look but want to consider other options, brands like Preciosa and our own Zodiac range are brilliant alternatives. They offer wonderful sparkle and quality, often at a more affordable price, so there really is a crystal to suit every project and every budget.

Add Swarovski sparkle to your creations

At Crystal Parade, we stock a range of genuine Swarovski crystals so you can add that unmistakable sparkle to your costumes, jewellery, nail art and craft projects. The range includes flatback hotfix and non hotfix, beads and charms, pearls, nail art and tooth crystals, and a great selection of popular shapes. If you are not sure which crystals to choose, or you would like advice on colours and sizes, just get in touch and we will be happy to help.