Part 1: Swarovski Crystals!
Next time you peruse your beads, think about the specific beads in your collection that truly stand out to you…the ones that make you just a little extra happy when you look at them. What about those beads makes you love them just a little bit more? I’m willing to bet it’s not so much the bead – but the FINISH! The same simple bead can be utterly transformed with various finishes currently available on the market. Today, in part 1 of our new blog mini-series, we’ll review Swarovski crystals and just SOME of the amazing finishes which can be found coating them!
Here at Eureka Crystal Beads, we are privileged to be an official Swarovski Authorized Reseller. On our website we offer the largest selection of Swarovski Custom Coatings (Finishes with magnificent effect and color combinations) you may have never seen before! Finishes can be subtle, delicate, and dark or bright, intense, and dazzling with the potential to give crystals a total make-over! Some finishes are applied by Swarovski while there are other custom coatings that are applied after-market and may vary depending on the batch. Some finishes are transparent while others are more metallic and opaque, but worry not, even the more metallic finishes won’t hide that amazing Swarovski sparkle! Finishes can be applied to just part of a crystal’s surface or can cover every single stunning facet and can also appear slightly different depending on the size and shape of the crystal to which it’s applied. Below, in the first installment of this blog mini-series, I’ll review just SOME of the most popular and some of the most exotic finishes. Please check out our website for many more!
THE CLASSICS
| AB | AB stands for Aurora Borealis, and beautifully mimics the Northern Lights! This lovely and simple coating is the most recognizable and features a subtle rainbow finish on half of a crystal. |
| AB2X | Sometimes nicknamed “Double AB,” “2X” refers to the AB finish above, only now coating the entire crystal! Depending on your base color, a AB2X finish can transform a crystal dramatically. |
SOME POPULAR METALLIC FINISHES
(Pictured below with “Rose Gold” to illustrate the difference between partial and full (2X) coverage.)
| Metallic Light Gold | A sultry medium metallic light brown/gold |
| Metallic Blue | This is a vibrant deep blue metallic finish. |
| Rose Gold | This finish beautifully mimics the precious metal of the same name. (Pictured below!) |
| Comet Argent Light | Often nicknamed “Crystal-CAL,’ this is a very bright silver finish. |
SHADOWS, SHADES, and SATINS – OH MY!
| Golden Shadow | A lovely golden-sand color |
| Silver Shade | Subtle and cool, a light silver/grey tone |
| Satin | When applied to a crystal, it takes the color intensity down just a notch by adding a slight darkening effect. |
TRULY UNIQUE GAME-CHANGERS
| Scarabaeus Green | This intense finish features bright greens, aqua, and purple. |
| Crystal Powder | This finish adds a translucent matte effect to a crystal’s surface. |
| Crystal Vitrail Medium | Emerald and Mossy greens collide with intense fuchsia, Indigo, with hints of orange! |
Check out these great Custom Finishes – simply stunning! – with many more available on our website!
| Tabac | This muted finish gives us deep earthy tones of browns, greens, and blues |
| Cathedral | For those who love to mix gold and silver, Cathedral does just that plus mixes in a small amount of red-fuchsia! |
| Glacier Blue | This cool-hues coating adds a ghostly layer of icey-blue to whatever it coats! |
| Brandy | Warm intense golden tones with a subtle splash of pink |
| Helio | Deep blues, indigo, magenta, fuchsia, and shades of deep orange make up this finish! |
| Vitrail Light | This finish features bright aqua, turquoise, and shimmering violet |
Eureka Crystal Beads Blog 
Wonderful information!! Thanks
Hi Janice. Thank you very much for your comment. Please stay in touch. We have more practical info. and more projects coming.
Glad you liked it, Janice!!