Swarovski - the magic of Austrian crystal
Swarovski is an Austrian success story par excellence. At the end of the 19th century Daniel Swarovski founded a company with the aim to cut crystals automatically. The company was enormously successful and soon worked in numerous fields like the production of optical products, abrasives and grinding tools, the cutting of crystals and the manufacturing of decorative stones made from crystal. Those were mostly used for the jewelry and fashion industries, as chandelier parts, as accessories and as beads and ornaments for attire and jewelry.
Swarovski's necklaces, pins and earrings are popular worldwide. Swarovski's crystal beads are also used to adorn dresses, shoes and handbags. By this they have entered the realm of haute-couture, James Bond movies, Hollywood celebs and Oscar night fashion talk. More » |
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About Enameling
Enameling is the process of bonding glass to metal at high temperatures. The glass is formulated to adhere to metal, and is ground into small particles for application. Enamels have the gloss, depth, and transparency of glass, as well as the solidity of metal.
Enameling has come through time and across many national boundaries to today, where artists enamel for preciousness, beauty, and permanence. It can be an arduous and time intensive medium, some pieces taking many hours and firings to complete. Additionally, the artist must usually master metal working techniques as well. Vessels have to be formed before enameling, and jewelry pieces have to be set after the enameling is completed. More » |