What is the point of using using real CRYSTALLIZEDTM - Swarovski Elements, when there are much cheaper alternatives, claiming to be the genuine article, when in fact they are imitations.

Pink Equine states,
"There simply is no alternative.  No other crystal (apart from real diamonds) has as much beauty, brilliance and precision as the genuine article. Pink Equine Bridles and Browbands are made from the best Italian leather, so why would we cheapen it with a low-quality crystal stone."
PLATINUM FOILING
The platinum foiling meets highest demands and supports further processing (soldering, electroplating).
Finished jewelery pieces are resistant to environmental influences (such as dust, tack cleaners, perfumes, seawater, chlorine water, etc.)
Swarovski Crystals
Can you tell the difference?


The question is how do you tell the genuine article from the fake?  There are many who have attempted to recreate the perfection of CRYSTALLIZEDTM - Swarovski Elements and - in our opinion - none who have succeeded.

A Brief History

In 1892 Daniel Swarovski invented a machine that could cut crystal jewellery stones with unprecedented precision, he filed for patents soon after. In 1895 he founded the company Swarovski.

By 1908, Swarovski, together with his three sons experimented with different methods to produce pure crystal and within three years they were able to refine this to a state of flawless brilliance.

This was further improved in 1956 when they began coating crystal elements with thin layers of metal to enhance their brilliance, known as the AB (Aurora Borealis) Effect.

In 1977 they introduced a new synthetic stone, cubic zirconia.  The CZ stone most closely replicated a natural stone in sparkle and brilliance. This was a revolution in the jewelry business and became the new trend.

Today's crystal elements have been refined and improved to produce un-paralleled brilliance and perfection, they have become a preferred choice among the world's leading designers.

While nobody selling fake cyrstals is going to assist in your search for the truth, here are some tell tale signs you can look for...
BRILLIANCE

CRYSTALLIZEDTM - Swarovski Elements are precision cut for maximum brilliance, each cut designed to capture and reflect the maximum amount of light.  Swarovski has developed the cut for the highest level of brilliance: the Xillion cut.  The Xillion Chaton, with it's clearly differentiated star shape cut and the luminosity of a diamond, is a truly outstanding jewelery element.

Pink Equine uses the 2028 Xillion Flatback stone for the majority of our browbands, they are the ONLY stone to have 14 facets cut into them, compared with 8 - 12 from many other makes.  We also use the Xillion Chaton (pointed back) stone in our premier range.

When you look into a Xillion cut stone you will get the impression the facets go right through the stone, much like a cut diamond, whereas many cheaper articles will not have any depth at all.

RHINESTONE MATERIAL

Flat back rhinestones are made of Lead Crystal, Glass or Acrylic. CRYSTALLIZEDTM - Swarovski Elements are made from Lead Crystal.   Korean and Czech Extra Grade stones are made of glass and are less bright.

Acrylic stones are widely available and ideal for cheap applications such as children's clothes, but they will not sparkle like glass and are not comparable at all to lead crystal.

COLOR

CRYSTALLIZEDTM - Swarovski Elements have a depth of color not matched by even its closest competitors, in some cases the difference is small, but it is still noticeable. The color will experience subtle changes as the light catches it, but the depth of colour remains.

FLAWS

CRYSTALLIZEDTM - Swarovski Elements are flawless, they are machine cut which means every stone will be exactly the same, all cuts will be sharp and you will find no air bubbles in the stone.

BRANDING

CRYSTALLIZEDTM - Swarovski Elements, is the only Branding that users of Swarovski components are permitted to use.  The Swan Logo or the Swarovski name by itself, is only used on official Swarovski products, made by Swarovski.

Any use of the Swan Logo or Swarovski name for products not made by Swarovski is never authorized under any circumstances, and any such use can be a big tell tale sign to look for.

Pink Equine has signed an agreement with Swarovski, to enable them to use the CRYSTALLIZEDTM - Swarovski Elements Branding.  Pink products have been sent to Swarovski for approval and agreement to carry the branding.

PRICE

If you want the best, then generally you have to pay for it.  It might seem obvious but you really do get what you pay for.  If you buy cheap, it definately won't be made to last.

Genuine CRYSTALLIZEDTM - Swarovski Elements are the most expensive rhinestones on the market, but they stand out a mile and are without a doubt, the best.