Beaded Edge

Beaded Edge

Swarovski Crystal Beads

If you design and make your own jewellery and want to add some glamour to your jewellery designs then I’m sure you’ve though about using Swarovski crystal beads . But why should you choose Swarovski beads when there are cheaper crystal beads out there? Are Swarovski beads worth the higher price, and can you improve your jewellery making business by brand association?

How can I be sure the Swarovski crystal beads I buy are real?

As official distributors of Swarovski crystal beads, customers sometimes ask for a Swarovski crystal certificate of authenticity. Unfortunately Swarovski don’t provide such a document for their distributors. This means that if you are shown one, this may actually be a sign that something is wrong! Look out for these factors to ensure you’re getting a genuine Swarovski bead:

Bead Cut

- Many facets which point in several directions will be present in Swarovski beads, and facets will always meet at an exact point

- The Swarovski bead will sparkle more than a cheaper imitation

Bead Finish

- No bubbles will be present in the beads (unless you are buying a new fusion concept bead, these include bubbles as they are manufactured to imitate natural materials)

- AB finish Swarovski crystal beads will have no scratching or swirl marks, they will display an even lustred finish

Packaging

- Swarovski crystal beads do not come on a strand, but Swarovski pearls do.

- Factory bead packs will have official Swarovski packaging as they have come directly from the Swarovski factory.

- Smaller Swarovski beads are usually sold per 1440 beads, and as beads get larger pack sizes reduce to 720, 360, 288, 144.

- Large pendants can be sold in bulk packs of 72, 48, 24, 12 or 6.

How are Swarovski Crystal Beads different to cheaper imitation crystal beads?

Swarovski crystal beads are the highest quality machine cut and polished crystal beads in the world. The colouring of the beads is consistent, deep, rich, and the edges are cut with a clean and precise finish.

Fashion forward

Swarovski release new beads twice a year, allowing them to stay ahead of the market. New beads are designed in the shapes and colours forecast to be the trend of the coming season. The design of just one bead can take years, Swarovski take all this time to ensure that the colour, cut and finish are just right. When you buy Swarovski beads, you know that they are the height of fashion!

Finish and cut

Some people say they prefer Swarovski to other crystal beads because they are ‘more sparkly’. You may be surprised to find out that this is actually based in fact. Swarovski crystal beads do sparkle more because they are precision cut, with the facets meeting perfectly. Swarovski beads often include more facets than cheaper crystal copies. When you buy a Swarovski crystal bead, you can be sure of a very sparkly, high quality bead!

Can I tell my customers I am making my jewellery with Swarovski crystal beads?

Here at Beads Direct we are often asked ‘can I use the Swarovski logo to advertise my jewellery?’ Swarovski don’t allow this I’m afraid, as it compromises their branding. Swarovski work very hard to separate their own jewellery designs from jewellery designed by others using their beads and components. Swarovski does offer a creative community known as CREATE YOUR STYLE and you can advertise your jewellery designs as created with genuine CRYSTALLIZEDTM – Swarovski Elements, this is the way Swarovski prefer you to do it.

What benefits will my jewellery making business get from Swarovski crystal beads?

Swarovski are a hugely recognised brand. The brand is widely associated with fashion, glamour, quality and precision. Let’s face it, who wouldn’t want their jewellery designs to be associated with all of those things?! You can encourage this association if you market your Swarovski crystal jewellery in the right way. The possibilities for jewellery making are endless, so get started now with CRYSTALLIZEDTM – Swarovski Elements!

About the Author

Claire Humpherson is a beads enthusiast and jewellery maker. She has been making jewellery with beads for 5 years and her jewellery designs have been featured in publications such as Beads & Beyond, Make Jewellery and Making Jewellery. Claire has also filmed a series of jewellery making tutorials on You Tube channel Beads Direct TV. She loves all types of beads and is especially interested in Swarovski crystal beads and semi-precious gem beads. She is associated with the UKs leading bead supplier www.beadsdirect.co.uk

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