Swarovski and Strass Crystals

Product Details

Swarovski is the luxury brand name for the range of precision-cut crystal glass products produced by companies owned by Swarovski AG of Feldmeilen, near Zürich, Switzerland.

Strass is the finest quality crystal used in the making of lighting fixtures. Strass is a trademark of Swarovski company, made using a precision process of machine cutting and polishing. Strass crystal is optically pure with lead content more than 30%, an invisible coating that repels dust, and incredible light refraction. Each piece (over 12mm diameter) can be identified by the Strass signature as a guarantee of authenticity.

Spectra is a high quality Swarovski crystal made much like Strass but with 2 main differences. First, Spectra does not contain lead like its more premier counterpart. Also, Spectra has a different cut pattern than Strass. Despite these difference, Spectra pieces have very good light refraction. Swarovski crystal was born when Bohemian-born Daniel Swarovski invented an automatic cutting machine in 1892. In 1895 the Swarovski company was founded when he established a crystal cutting factory in Wattens (near Innsbruck, Tyrol, Austria). Here he could take advantage of local hydroelectricity for the energy-intensive grinding processes he had patented.