Daniel Swarovski invented an automatic crystal cutting machine in 1892. In 1895 he founded the Swarovski company and established a crystal cutting factory in Wattens.

Swarovski is a luxury brand name. Swarovski crystal stones, beads and pendants are the finest in the world. They are cut and polished to the highest standards of quality. Swarovski crystal components are used by famous fashion and jewelry designers, they also encourage artists and consumers to create their own designs.

In order to create a crystal that allows light to refract in a rainbow spectrum, Swarovski coats some of its crystals with special metallic coatings. Aurore Borealis, or "AB", is one of the most popular coatings, and gives the surface a rainbow oil slick appearance. Other coatings include Satin, Volcano, Aurum, Dorado, etc. Coatings may be applied to only part of a stone (for example AB); others are coated twice on the entire surface, and thus are designated 2X (for example AB 2X).

Some coatings/effects are available only on selected articles.

Surface Effects
Vacuum coating process is applied to the stone.

Translucent Effects
Special vacuum coating process applied to the back of the stone and visible through the crystal.

COSMOJET
Special coating, which makes it possible to blacken certain parts of the stone’s surface.