1. How to verify Austrian Crystal from plain glass?

Many Austrian lovers believe that the raw material used in the manufacture of our crystal objects occurs naturally. Nothing could be further from the truth. Austrian crystal is made at the factory in Wattens using basic formulae perfected by Daniel Austrian and his three sons in the earlier part of last century. Austrian crystal is fired using a combination of natural minerals and quartz sand, and then cooled slowly to avoid stress and inclusions.

But Austrian Crystal is still different from plain glass in colours and cuts. And it appears more brightly. You can find the difference from the following way:

Colours

Austrian Crystal: Austrian Crystal has its formal colour card for its beads and elements. Austrian crystal dye lots can vary slightly.

Colours						Effects
	Crystal 001		Light Amethyst 212		Erinite 360		Crystal Aurore Boreale 001 AB
	White Opal 234		Violet Opal 389		Emeraldl 205		Crystal Aurore Boreale 2x 001 AB2
	White Alabaster 281		Violet 371		Palace Green Opal 393		Crystal Satin 001 SAT
	Rose Water Opal 395		Tanzanite 539		Olivine 228		Crystal Matt Finish* 001 MAT
	Rose Alabaster 293		Amethyst 204		Khaki 550		Crystal Moonlight 001 MOL
	Vintage Rose 319		Purple Velvet 277		Lime 385		Crystal Silver Shade 001 SSHA
	Light Rose 223		Montana 207		Citrine 249		Crystal Golden Shadow 001 GSHA
	Rose 209		Capri Blue 243		Light Topaz 226		Crystal Copper 001 COP
	Rosaline 508		Sapphire 206		Jonquil 213		Crystal Comet Argent Light 001 CAL
	Fuchsia 502		Light Sapphire 211		Silk 391		White Opal Sky Blue* 234 SBL
	Ruby 501		Aquamarine 202		Light Peach 362		White Opal Star Shine* 234 STS
	Padparadscha 542		Light Azore 361		Light Colorado Topaz 246		Crystal Bermuda Blue 001 BBL
	Sun 248		Lndian Sapphire 217		Topaz 203		Crystal Heliotrope 001 HEL
	Fireopal 237		Pacific Opal 390		Light Smoked Topaz 221		Crystal Metallic Blue 2x 001 METBL2
	Hyacinth 236		Mint Alabaster 397		Smoked Topaz 220		Crystal Vitrail Medium 001 VM
	Lndian red 374		Turquoise 267		Mocca 286		Crystal Dorado 2x 001 DOR2
	Light Siam 227		Lndicolite 379		Smoky Quartz 225		Jet Nut 2x 280 NUT2
	Dark red coral 396		Caribbean Blue Opal 394		Sand Opal 287		Jet Hematite 280 HEM
	Siam 208		Blue Zircon 229		Light Grey Opal 383		Jet Hematite 2x 280 HEM2
	Garnet 241		Chrysolite 238		Black Diamond 215		Jet 280
	Burgundy 515		Peridot 214

Plain Glass: The colours of plain glass beads may have color deviation even in the same dye lots. And they do not have so much colour choices.

Cuts

Austrian Crystal: Austrian Crystal has perfect cuts which makes its beads and elements in equal number of facets regardless of size. The beads and elements have a sparking appearance caused by light reflections on the prism/facet surface as well as the light refractions from within the bead. On closer look all the beads are if a uniformed shape and consistently precise cuts on the facets.

Plain Glass: The beads appear dull, and do not capture light very well. The facets are also not uniformed and may have some pointed (sharp) edges while others are just blunt.

2. Why are Austrian Crystal Bicone Beads changing?

Some beading friends are confused when they receive our Austrian Crystal Bicone Beads. Because they may receive the beads with 12 facets in the second order while they got them with 8 facets first time. Now, all 5301 style crystal bicone beads in 3mm to 10mm sizes will soon be available with the brilliant XILION cut, which increases the number of reflective surfaces on the familiar bicone shape with alternating small and large facets. The change and the copyright-protected XILION name will distinguish authentic Austrian Elements Crystal Bicone Beads from products made by other manufacturers. The new cut has a higher brilliance and is more comfortable to wear. The upgraded bicone beads will be identified with style number 5328. Usually, we will pick up the available ones which are in stock.

3. Will the Austrian Elements Crystal Bicone Beads in the 2.5mm size be upgraded to the XILION cut?

Because the 2.5mm crystal bicone bead size is too small to upgrade, the cut will remain the same, but the style number will change to 5328 to be consistent with the rest of the crystal bicone bead product line.

4. How long is the usual progress time of Austrian Crystal?

The usual progress time of Austrian Crystal is around 15 weekdays.