Mar 4, 2020 | Jewelry Making, JEWELRY MAKING SUPPLIES, Swarovski Crystal Beads
Have you fully-stocked your beading supplies to keep up with 2020s most exciting jewelry trends? This fashion-forward year is well underway, and bold, colorful designs are in the spotlight. Say goodbye to simple chains and warm up to these big statement pieces!
Stock Up So You Can Keep Up with these HUGELY Popular 2020 Jewelry Trends
- Bold An Funky
Hoops never go out of style, and this season’s hoops are big and bold, putting unique takes on funky classics with unexpected shapes and eccentric combinations. How will you personalize our sterling silver and gold-filled endless hoops?
- Layered Pieces
Simple, single strands are being crowded out by multiple layers of jewelry, such as layers of bold, chunky stone beads in different colors, or a few strands of multicolored metallics in different lengths.
- Mix & Match Earrings
Forget matchy-matchy designs. Mix and match earrings are where it’s at for 2020 if you want to stay ahead of the game. Don’t be afraid to experiment with different sizes, such as studs and hoops, or mixed metals. Look to Adeam, who favored this style in her Fall 2019 collection for inspiration.
- Beach-Inspired
Both intricate and simple beach-inspired designs are also on trend this year, such as shimmering Swarovski starfish pendants and pearls, and dolphin, shell pendant or charm additions paired with bold colored or intricate designs.
- Warm Gemstones
Warm colored gemstones are taking over this year. Find the season’s hottest colors in shimmering Swarovski crystal pendants, flat back stones, and other gemstone beads in shades of champagne, gold, turmeric, citrine, orange, reds, and neutral chocolate browns. Pair this trend with others on this list, or create your own unique style, for a truly trendy look.
- Pearls
Classic pearls go beyond celebrity galas and formal events. This previously traditional look is undergoing a funky transformation in 2020, from simple strings to extravagant designs. Create your own with stunning Swarovski pearls, creating interesting hoops that extend to ear cuffs, or creating sophisticated, multilayered stacked designs using strings of different sizes. Move beyond classic colors, embracing vibrant variations or mixing pearls with gold.
- Personalized Nameplates
Hello 90s! Nameplates are back! Spell out your name, your story, zodiac sign, mood, life’s goals, showcasing them around your neck.
- Chunky and Bold gold-filled Chains
Like a flashback to Mr. T’s 80s persona, thick gold-filled chains are also back, making a retro statement around the neck or wrists. Don’t be afraid to go big with links. Such large, fun flair can really pull together even the most modest outfit.
2020 jewelry trends have a lot of inspiration to offer. Which ones are calling to you? Stock up for an exciting new decade of jewelry design. Shop our catalog of beautiful, affordable wholesale beads and supplies online at Crystal Findings today.
Nov 25, 2019 | JEWELRY MAKING SUPPLIES, Swarovski Crystal Beads
Swarovski crystals are highly sought for their crystal clear, sparkling brilliance. A surprisingly affordable alternative to diamonds and precious stones, what gives Swarovski crystals beads their legendary sparkle?
A Diamond for Everyone
Though no one knows precisely what Swarovski crystals are made of, it remains a coveted family secret to this day, they are a form of glass. Swarovski inventor Daniel Swarovski, the son of a glass cutter, dreamed of a design that offered the sparkle of a diamond, yet was affordable to everyone. He invented an electric glass cutting machine that could cut glass with incredible accuracy.
Mystery Mix
Though the Swarovski family has owned the Wattens, Austria crystal factory since 1892 and safeguards the ingredient recipe for its crystals to this day, we do know some of the ingredients used to make Swarovski crystals. These include a mix of red lead, quartz sand, sodium carbonate, and potash. The last was a unique addition at the time, revolutionizing the industry. It creates a clear, malleable glass that is easily shaped.
Glorious Geometry
The ingredients in the mix are heated to an extremely high temperature, then melted into glass and cut by Swarovski’s patented machines. Today the company’s gemstone designs are aided by computer technology, which helps designers calculate the angles that will best reflect light and improve the glimmering effects of the crystals.
A Little Something Extra
In addition to its proprietary crystal recipe, Swarovski also adds special touches to its crystals with metallic chemical coatings. One of the most famous coating inventions was for the spectacular Christian Dior crystal, which was dubbed the ‘Aurora Borealis effect’ after the multicolored changing hues of the Northern Lights. This coating remains popular to this day.
An Expansive Line of Offerings
The Swarovski crystal line continues to evolve to match the desires of designers and jewelry aficionados. Because of the diamond-like shimmer of the crystals, many popular options mimic precious gemstones like emeralds, rubies, sapphires, and rare colored diamonds, some of which are quite difficult to distinguish from the real thing. Still, newer options employ the company’s revered cutting method to produce unique, shimmering bead shapes from flowers and stars to helixes, aquiline, and galactic beads. Popular Swarovski beading options today include:
When shopping for Swarovski crystals, beware of imitators. The quality of genuine Swarovski crystals is unsurpassed. Protect yourself from purchasing inferior, unlicensed products by purchasing from a reputed seller. Learn how to make sure you’re purchasing true Swarovski crystal.
Find the perfect Swarovski gemstone to complement your next design. Shop premium Swarovski from Crystal Findings for a wide selection of the latest Swarovski bead designs and accompanying beading supplies today.
Nov 4, 2019 | JEWELRY MAKING SUPPLIES, Swarovski Crystal Beads
Swarovski crystal beads offer widespread popularity. Swarovski jewelry and accessory designs are in high-demand worldwide, from Europe and America to Africa and Australia. Imparting a beautiful, sophisticated look to any jewelry, clothing, or accessory design, Swarovski crystal beads offer a timeless appeal like that of pearls and diamonds. However, this is not the only reason Swarovski continues to remain relevant among jewelry designers and customers. Why are Swarovski crystals so popular?
Stunning Looks at an Affordable Price
With a reasonable price, Swarovski jewelry is attainable to broad scope of consumers. Less expensive than precious stones, yet offering the stunning brilliance customers covet, Swarovski jewelry delivers beautiful, multi-faceted sparkle at a price that’s right. Perfectly cut and clear to maximize refraction, the web of rainbow-hued light of Swarovski jewelry is available to the masses, inspiring jewelry-jealousy and moving jewelry and fashion enthusiasts to get their hands on the latest Swarovski designs.
Wide Range of Sizes, Designs, & Colors
The Swarovski Company knows how to make crystal beads that appeal to a wide group of customers. Swarovski crystals are available in a rainbow of hues and designs, including:
Celebrity Appeal
‘Bling’ is ever-present in today’s clothing, jewelry, and accessory designs. Well-known celebrities are commissioning entire dresses and jewelry designed with Swarovski crystals. At many shows, releases, and awards events, celebrities are making statements with Swarovski. Gwyneth Paltrow, Kate Moss, Uma Thurman, and even Samuel L. Jackson have shown off Swarovski crystal clothing and accessories. This has kept the sparkling stones in the public eye and made them a desirable fashion centerpiece.
Versatility
Swarovski crystal beads pair well with a variety of co-stars, including sterling silver beads, gold-filled beads, squaredelles, and other beading favorites, allowing for an endless variety of brilliant, sparkling jewelry designs.
Constant Stream of New Designs
Because the Swarovski Company is constantly introducing new designs, their products remain relevant. Swarovski promotions inspire new, consumer and designer-inspired product ideas, with debates over potential Swarovski bead introduction ongoing. The company’s willingness to listen to customer feedback gives them widespread popularity among buyers.
Looking to put a little sparkle in your next jewelry design? Create a look that sets your work apart with certified Swarovski crystals, wholesale beads, and jewelry supplies at Crystal Findings today.
Oct 18, 2019 | Beads, JEWELRY MAKING SUPPLIES, Swarovski Crystal Beads
When you’re aiming for a certain look, the Thanksgiving décor from your area retailer may leave you wanting. For stylish and tasteful tabletop displays and an enjoyable fall project, why not create your own pieces for a look that’s unique and memorable? Keep treasured pieces for annual use, creating a beading tradition, or gift coveted pieces to loved ones and friends.
Create Stylish, Unique Thanksgiving Tabletop Décor with Beading Supplies at Crystal Findings
Our beading supplies include a variety of styles and autumn shades, allowing you to design the perfect accent pieces for your Thanksgiving gathering. What beaded tableware could you create for your tabletop?
- Wine glass rings
Create simple and elegant wine glass rings, helping your guests avoid confusing their beverages. Keep things simple and elegant with circular wine glass rings adorned with a single Swarovski crystal, or adorn them with festive fall charms accented with your favorite fall bead colors.
- Napkin holders
Weave napkin holders in sparkling autumn shades, accenting them with gold-filled beads and findings. Choose from luminescent lamp beads in shades of clear and topaz, or stone beads in carnelian, jade, gold, tiger’s eye, mother of pearl, and yellow.
- Beaded pine cones
Add elegance and whimsy to your table with beaded pine cones, alternating brown stone beads in shades of brown, topaz, or tiger’s eye with gold-filled beads for excitement and shine. Coordinate with a miniature, matching pair of earrings.
- Indian corn
Get the kids involved or reconnect with your inner child, creating beaded Indian corn for fun table flare with round stone beads. For a more adult approach, use craft wire and more shimmering, festive beads, adding visual interest and luminosity with cat’s eye beads in shades of green, brown, gold, orange.
- Pumpkins
Beaded pumpkins can be a fun craft for kids or adults alike, and make perfect Thanksgiving tabletop décor for the kids’ table. Create 3-dimensional pumpkins with pipe cleaners, or take a more sophisticated approach with beading wire and stone or cat’s eye beads in shades of orange, green, and brown.
- Beaded placemats
Create beaded placemats with a fall theme, such as pumpkins and gourds, leaves, acorns, sunflowers, or a simple mosaic of fall colors. Choose classic stone beads in fall shades, luminescent cat’s eye beads, or add a touch of sparkle with shamballa beads in shades of siam red, topaz, yellow, and emerald.
- Beaded table runner
Create an intricate design using a single fall color, or a beautiful mosaic to match your beaded placemats in a pattern of leaves, pumpkins, acorns, and sunflowers.
- Beaded bowls
Created with a modern wire framework beads in your favorite autumn shades with accents of gold, beaded bowls make an elegant centerpiece statement.
- Beaded wreath
Invite guests into your home with the sparkle and flair of a beaded wreath on your front door.
Ensure a memorable Thanksgiving with the elegant addition of beaded tableware. Shop the wide selection of custom jewelry making supplies at Crystal Findings today.
Jul 18, 2019 | GOLD FILLED BEADS, JEWELRY MAKING SUPPLIES, Swarovski Crystal Beads
Synonymous with quality and luxury since 1892, the Swarovski brand name is well-known in the jewelry market. These jewels, neither a crystal nor a gem, are actually a form of glass. With such a seemingly simple composition, what makes Swarovski crystal beads and pendants more expensive?
A Painstaking Attention to Detail
Much more than meets the eye, Swarovski crystals are anything but simply made. Like true diamonds, the quality of materials used in the creation of Swarovski crystals as well as the Austrian company’s highly-specialized cutting practices lend to the cost of the crystals. Their creation is a long and complicated process. To create crystals with a higher refraction index than true crystal, precision manufacturing is essential. This results in a stone with looks close to those of diamonds.
The Swarovski Manufacturing Process
To achieve the sparkle you love, the creation of Swarovski crystals begins with a secret lead glass crystal recipe featuring a blend of quartz, sand, minerals, and about 32% lead, which helps maximize refraction in the crystals. The clearer the crystal, the more difficult to produce. Purity of material is key. After creation, they are precision-cut with a patented electric cutting machine. Accurate and consistent, the cutting process adds as many as 100 facets to each crystal which mirror and bend light in various directions, providing a higher refraction index in the crystals. After this complex cutting process, the crystals are then polished to perfection and ready for sale with custom jewelry making supplies. Coatings may also be added during this process to refract light in different color spectrums.
A Step Above the Competition
Because Swarovski crystals are man and machine made, the quality of crystals is far more consistent than is seen in naturally occurring gem stone beads and crystals. Crystals with imperfections such as bubbles, scratches, and lackluster shine and brilliance will not meet Swarovski quality standards. Premium, genuine Swarovski crystals should be identical, showcasing unsurpassed consistency of design to meet Swarovski’s high manufacturing standards:
- Each Swarovski crystal should be identical in size and cut, a key sign of Swarovski’s precise workmanship and authenticity.
- Crystals should have zero bubbles.
- Crystals should be clear and brilliant, with no oily sheen, dullness, or surface scratches.
- The shine of each crystal should be diamond-like.
- The facets of each crystal should meet and point upwards.
- Colored crystals should be identical in tone.
- Crystals are sold loose (only Swarovski pearls are sold strung together).
- Crystals should be sought from a Swarovski authorized retailer.
Make a statement, adding a touch of brilliance and luxury to your upcoming jewelry making project. Shop the world-renowned Swarovski line. An authorized retailer, pair the sparkling perfection of Swarovski crystals to our vast array of premium wholesale beads and jewelry supplies. Shop Crystal Findings today.
May 5, 2019 | JEWELRY MAKING SUPPLIES, Swarovski Crystal Beads
Why are Swarovski crystal beads so unique? Synonymous with the highest quality, there are many facets to these stunning stones that make them stand out from lackluster competitors in the market. Why should you choose certified Swarovski crystals for your next jewelry making project?
Choose Swarovski for Superior Clarity, Sparkle & Brilliance
A favorite of top-notch fashion designers from Christian Dior, who aided in their creation, to Christian Louboutin, Louis Vuitton, and Chanel, the secret manufacturing process of Swarovski crystals results in a spectacular stone that emits an explosion of rainbow sparkles. What is known about how Swarovski crystals are made? The proprietary method of creating these manmade stones, a favorite of jewelry designers, involves a combination of quartz sand and other minerals including lead, which help maximize the refraction in the crystals. Once formed, each crystal is precisely cut with the company’s patented cutting machines, then polished, and sometimes coated for effect. This combination results in a multitude of facets, as many as 100, each bend capable of refracting light in different directions. This patented, complicated manufacturing process makes these spectacular crystals more expensive than dull bargain doppelgangers.
Choose Swarovski Crystals for a High-End Look Superior to Glass Beads
Featured in classic, elegant designs, from the giant crystal on top of the Rockefeller Center’s Christmas tree to Swarovski crystal pendants adorning designer jewelry, handbags, and clothing, Swarovski stones emanate luxury. Though named ‘crystals,’ science aficionados will be quick to point out Swarovski creations aren’t actually crystals at all. They are closer to a gemstone, with a higher refraction index than true crystal and actually similar to a diamond, though manmade. In fact, their Austrian creator David Swarovski, dreamed of Swarovski stones offering a more accessible “diamond for everyone.”
Choose Swarovski Crystals if You Want to Steal the Show
Since their creation in 1892, Swarovski crystals have been featured in movies and worn by starlets for over a century. They have graced the clothing of Marlene Dietrich in the 1932 classic Blond Venus,adorned Marilyn Monroe in Gentlemen Prefer Blondes,and encrusted Audrey Hepburn’s Breakfast at Tiffany’stiara. More recently, took the spotlight at the 2018 Academy Awards, over 45-million crystals decorating the stage.
Stand out from the competition with crystals that are a cut above the competition. Shop the wide array of Swarovski crystal beading supplies at Crystal Findings today.
