How To Spot Fake Swarovski Crystal

Which ones do you think are the Swarovski:
Left or Right? 

There are crystal beads and then there

 are Swarovski crystal beads.

Sometimes unscrupulous sellers will 

label cheap Chinese crystals as Swarovski 

and try to sell them to you at a much higher price. 

So how to tell the difference? 

Here are my tips on spotting the 'fakes' 

from the fabulous: 

Tip 1 - Edges

Chinese crystal - the hole is off centre and jagged.
The sides are not equally cut.

Swarovski crystal - perfect symmetry and perfect hole.
No jagged or uneven edges.

Swarovski crystal is perfect. Precision cut to perfection. Imitation crystal often has one edge longer than the other, a little chip near the hole, the shape of the crystals are not exactly the same, these are all clues as to the quality of the crystal. 

Tip 2 - Colour

Swarovski crystals are made to an exact colour chart with specific names.

 If the colour name of your crystals isn't on the chart check if it's a Swarovski special effect or special stone by doing an Internet search. 

Check the actual colour of the stones is a match with other stones of that name by looking at images of those crystals on the web (if you can't see them 'in the flesh') 

 to get a good idea what the shade should look like.

Tip 3 - Where 

Where are you going to buy it from? 
Reputable retailer with a certificate or dirt cheap on ebay? 

If it's a bargain that seems to good to be true then it probably is! 

Tip 4 - Sparkle. 

Swarovski crystal just has that certain something that makes it shine,

 so much more than other crystal.  

If you compare Swarovski AB to any other crystal AB you'll see what I mean! 

Bead & Jewellery Magazine Between Editors

Bead & Jewellery Magazine is currently between editors. 

As a subscriber for some years now I have seen Bead magazine 

evolve and change in style from the good old Jean Power days through 

to the creative Chloe Ménage and 

a one edition hello from Allison Croat.

The new editor is announced as being bead work extraordinaire Katie Dean 

and I am looking forward to seeing the direction she takes the magazine in. 

The 'Winter Sparkle Special' , Katie's first issue at the helm, goes on sale October 23rd. 

Three Crosses Pendant In Metallic Purple

In my New Years resolutions, this year, I made a list

of beading goals I want to achieve.

On the list was making Sabine Lipperts 'three crosses' pendant

in some different colour ways.

So making this project gives me a little satisfaction at being able

to tick a goal off of my list.

I wanted to make the pendant with a purple colour scheme

and these 'eggplant' duracoat seed beads were perfect,

a little pricey but utterly worth it, for the gorgeous metallic

purple sheen.

I think the metallic finish gives the pendant a

really luxurious feel.

Photographed on faux fur to enhance the glamour!