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Swarovski crystals are produced in Austria and are made by adding 32% lead to molten glass, giving them a high rate of refraction. The company’s success has led to the creation of a museum and showroom dedicated to Austrian crystal, which is the second most visited attraction in Austria.
Austrian crystal isn’t a brand name in and of itself, but it might as well be. The generic term is indelibly linked to Swarovski crystals, which are produced in a factory in Wattens, Austria. The breakthrough that spawned them was more about mass production than about individual beauty.
Daniel Swarovski was actually a Bohemian man who invented an automatic crystal-cutting machine while living in Prague, Czech Republic. His machine was patented in 1892, and Swarovski quickly became concerned that spies from other jewelry companies would discover the his secret. Consequently, in 1895 he moved his business to Wattens, which offered the double benefits of a semi-remote location and convenient water power.
Austrian crystal is man-made, essentially a creative cut of hand-blown glass into every imaginable form of adornment. Swarovski’s three sons continued the family business, expanding into everything from chandeliers and watches to computer parts and rhinestones and glass beads. What makes a Swarovski crystal unique is its composition. By adding 32% lead to molten glass (a mixture obtained after considerable experimentation), Swarovski has imbued its crystal with a high rate of refraction. Subsequently, he developed several chemical coatings to enhance color and gloss.
The company entered the American jewelry market rather late, in 1977, but has emerged as an icon. Austrian crystal has a reputation for fine workmanship, but it’s also less expensive than jewelry made with gemstones. He also gained international attention during the 1976 Winter Olympics in Innsbruck, Austria, when a mouse figurine made by Max Schreck from chandelier parts transformed into those games’ mascot, as well as launching a new product line of Swarovski figurines. The company’s corporate symbol has evolved from an edelweiss flower to a swan.
The Swarovski empire has also proved to be a boon for tourism in Austria. Kristallwelten (Crystal World), a museum and showroom dedicated to Austrian crystal, is the second most visited attraction in the country. Perhaps its most bizarre presentation is a Mini Cooper “Art Car” owned by an Ontario couple that features a million crystals.
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