Glossary of Coatings & Effects for SWAROVSKI ELEMENTS Crystals
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SWAROVSKI ELEMENTS beads, buttons, pendants and findings come in a dizzying array of color options including coatings, foil backings, color-changing shades and more! Let us help you sort through your options with this glossary of definitions that explain the more confusing Swarovski color terms you might come across.
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Definitions
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2x
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"2x" in a color name signifies that the listed coating has been applied to the entire surface of a component. This is called "two times" because most coatings are only applied to one half (one side) of a bead or pendant.
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Aurora Borealis (AB)
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A pastel iridescent coating applied to one half (one side) of a crystal component. Unlike most coatings (which tend to be applied to only clear crystal), aurora borealis is available on many colors of crystal.
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Basic Coatings
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Although we categorize these as "basic" coatings, they certainly look anything but basic! Champagne, Copper, Glacier Blue, Golden Shadow, Moonlight and Silver Shade are all beautiful coatings mostly commonly applied to one half (one side) of a clear crystal component. Champagne and Glacier Blue are non-Swarovski coatings applied to Swarovski goods.
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Color-Changing Shades
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Alexandrite and Cantaloupe are crystal shades that change color depending on the light under which they're being viewed. See the diagram below for a look at the various shades these fun beads take on.
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Comet Argent Light (CAL)
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This is a single-colored silver foil coating/backing that creates a mirror-like effect. In addition to being used on clear crystal components, it can be used in addition to another coating, for instance in our #04-439-14-163 square link. This link has a clear crystal base, a copper coating applied to one half (one side) and silver foil applied to one half (side). When looking at the item, you see the silver foil through the copper coating.
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CosmoJet
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This special finish combines the sleek blackness of jet with the intense shimmer of lighter-colored crystals. How? A black coating is applied before final faceting. The final facet cutting removes the coating from select facets, which provides windows to the lighter base color underneath.
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Foils, Multicolor
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Bermuda Blue (BB), Cathedral, Electra, Heliotrope, Meridian Blue, Sphinx, Sage, Sahara, Tabac, Vitrail Light (VL), Vitrail Medium (VM) and Volcano are all multicolored foil coatings applied to one half (one side) of a crystal component. Sometimes these are applied as backings and are seen through the clear crystal (as in crystal buttons and links). Cathedral and Electra are non-Swarovski coatings applied to Swarovski goods.
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Metallic Coatings
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Aurum (gold-colored), Dorado (bronze-colored), Hematite (silvery gray, like the gemstone), Metallic Blue and Nut are all metallic-looking coatings applied to one half (one side) of a crystal component, usually a clear or jet bead.
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Nature's Variety
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A few Swarovski colors are purposefully made to vary slightly in shade. This mimics organic color variations found in natural materials. Dark Red Coral is an example of this.
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Protective Layer
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A lacquer, introduced in 2011, that is applied over select Bermuda Blue and Tabac crystals. This lacquer protects the crystal's colored coating from scratches, fingerprints and moisture damage that could lead to corrosion.
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Satin
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A smoky gray coating that adds a soft sheen and deepens the shade of the crystal. Like aurora borealis, this coating is available on many colors of crystal.
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Transmission
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This unique coating, which looks similar to aurora borealis, was designed for the textile industry. It "transmits" or seems to emulate the color of the garment on which it is worn.
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Color-Changing Diagrams
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Under fluorescent light, cantaloupe appears bright green
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Cantaloupe washes to a grayish crystal color in sunlight
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Cantaloupe becomes bright pinkish peach under halogen/incandescent light
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Under fluorescent light, alexandrite color varies from nearly crystal blue to light purple
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The color intensifies to medium purple in sunlight
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Alexandrite becomes deep, vivid purple under halogen and incandescent light
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