Where
does the color in crystal come from?
Crystals are formed
by a very slow and controlled heat reduction process. Chemicals
used during the process, as opposed to dyes, dictate the color.
Different chemicals absorb different wavelengths of visible light.
The result? We see the opposite of this color. For example, if the
chemical added absorbed blue, we would see an orange crystal.
Interestingly enough, manufacturing
a clear crystal is much more difficult than adding color. There
can be no impurities during the manufacturing process as even a
small contamination could change the clarity of the crystal.
Check out all the colors we have in
stock in rhinestones, beads and other embellishments! You can also
purchase a rhinestone color chart to see the actual rhinestone colors
available!
How many rhinestones are in
a gross?
12 dozen or 144 rhinestones
are in a gross.
Where did the name rhinestone
come from?
The name came from pieces of glass that were found in the Rhine
River in Austria. When first produced, rhinestones were cut and
finished by hand. In the 1700s, a jeweler in Paris created a way
to apply lead to the back of glass, which greatly enhanced the complexity,
brilliance, and reflective quality of glass.
Who was Daniel Swarovski?
Daniel Swarovski was born in 1862 in Bohemia (then part of the Austria-Hungarian
Empire). In the early nineteenth century he began experimenting
on methods of faceting glass and created a glass-cutting machine
that cut faceted glass. This process produced a crystal far superior
to hand-cut crystal. The company was enormously successful and soon
produced many optical products, abrasives and grinding tools, as
well as decorative stones made from crystal.
Fashion Industry ...
The arival of these lovely stones caused quite a stir in the fashion
industry around the world in the 1920s. They quickly became popular
around the word. The “flapper” fashion for fringed and
crystal creations brought about another patent: A ribbon of fabric
studded with crystals ready to sew onto any garment. Fashion designers
like Chanel and Schaparelli made costume jewelry not just acceptable
but a fashion requirement for every fashion conscious woman of the
time.
The development of the "Aurora
Borealis" crystal ...
Around 1956 "Aurora Borealis" appeared in the crystal
fashion world. These crystals were coated with an almost
imperceptible layer of metal to give the stone a rainbow sparkle.
Manfred Swarovski, Daniel's grandson, worked with Christian Dior
to perfect this process.
All rhinestones are carefully and meticulously
cut glass--or crystal--and have a foil backing with lead content
to enhance the reflectiveness and brilliance. However, not all rhinestones
are Swarovski nor are they all Austrian Crystal, which may be confusing.
Rhinestones other than Swarovski are generally Czech, Korean, Acrylic,
or Plastic.
Swarovski Rhinestones
The highest quality rhinestones by far are genuine Swarovski Rhinestones.
Much like champagne, only rhinestones made specifically by the Swarovski
company can be labeled Swarovski. Swarovski rhinestones are made
of lead crystal with eight or fourteen facets.
Rhinestone Cuts and Sizes
Rhinestones come in a multitude of different shapes, sizes, and
colors. The cut of the rhinestone greatly influences its brilliance!
Remember:
* Rhinestones with more facets reflect
more than those cut with fewer facets.
* Rhinestones cut with fewer facets will flash straight on more
than those cut with a higher number of facets.
* Eight-facet rhinestones combine the best of both worlds.
Sizes
Rhinestones are sold in many sizes, but the larger sizes have fewer
colors, as there is less demand. Rhinestones are designated using
the abbreviation "ss" (Stone Size). The smaller ss numbers,
08 to 16ss are too small for ballroom gown deccoration.
Rhinestones stone sizes are as follows:
* 08 SS = 2.3 mm
* 10 SS = 2.8 mm
* 12 SS = 3.1 mm
* 16 SS = 3.9 mm
* 20 SS = 4.7 mm
* 30 SS = 6.4 mm
* 34 SS = 7.1 mm
* 40 SS = 8.9 mm
* 42 SS = 9.1 mm
* 49 SS = 11.1 mm
Colors
Rhinestones come in a huge variety of colors, which can be confusing.
Every year more colors are offered. Rhinestone colors can be broken
down into four basic categories:
Crystal Colors
This is the traditional diamond look-a-like. These rhinestones are
clear, with no color. This is the most commonly seen rhinestone.
Transparent Colors
These are semiprecious gem colors. These rhinestone colors are often
named after the gem they imitate such as: Emerald (green), Peridot
(lime or apple green), Sapphire (royal blue), Amethyst (purple),
etc. If the name has 'Light' before it, it is a paler version of
the color.
AB Colors
AB rhinestones are produced by adding an Aurora Borealis coating
to the stone. The coating creates a prism effect in light refraction,
reflecting all colors of the rainbow. The base color usually shows
through, but sometimes the coating completely changes the color
of the stone. For example, Jet AB is not black, but shines green.
Crystal AB is the result of an AB coating on a crystal rhinestone
and casts mild colors in all ranges. Swarovski AB coatings reflect
blues, greens, reds, and golds; Czech stones reflect more golds
and yellows; Korean stones don't have AB coatings.
Effect Colors
Effect colored rhinestones come in special colors and are produced
by polarization of the glass. These stones usually reflect two or
more colors, depending on the direction of the light or the light
source. Both Czech and Swarovski produce these stones, but Swarovski
has more variety.
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