What is ADVANCED CRYSTAL?   ADVANCED CRYSTAL is a new, innovative and lead-free* crystal composition that has been patented by Swarovski in the US and 16 EU countries.  The ADVANCED CRYSTAL standard furthermore states that all forward-integrated solutions (e.g. settings, crystal mesh etc.) are lead-free*.

What makes it so special?  ADVANCED CRYSTAL is a further fascinating example of Swarovski's boundless capacity to innovate.  ADVANCED CRYSTAL is a pioneering new crystal recipe; the lead has been removed and other raw materials have been carefully selected to provide perfect peace of mind for business partners in the ever stricter international regulatory environment.

Are Swarovski Elements still classified as "crystal" or are they now just glass?  Swarovski Elements with the new ADVANCED CRYSTAL fall in the category 3 "crystal glass" according to the European Directive 69/493/EEC (Crystal Directive).  Advanced Crystal provides the same visual and optical characteristics as full lead crystal.

What does Advanced Crystal standard mean?  This means that the crystal composition as well as other materials used in Swarovski Elements products do not contain intentionally added lead.  The reason for mentioning the limitation of 0.009% or less lead is that there are traces of lead in the environment that cannot be controlled by the production process and thus 0% is not possible.

Is there a difference in the way the products look when compared to the corresponding former Swarovski crystals?  Will they have the same sparkle across all product categories?  There is no optical or visual difference.  In contrast: ADVANCED CRYSTAL - like all Swarovski Elements - stands for the highest brillance and quality.  Brillance, light dispersion, etc., are not solely defined through the crystal composition, but are also determined by precision cutting, polishing and purity of raw materials - all areas in which Swarovski takes a leading position.  Swarovski Elements stands for consistent and reliable quality and this is also true for the Advanced Crystal standard - across all product categories.

Is there any noticeable difference when comparing the different crystal compositions?  The only noticeable difference is the weight of the products, as the new composition results in a 15-20% less heaviness.

Are there any disadvantages in product quality?  No, there are no disadvantages.  The hardness has even increased with the new Advanced Crystal standard.

What does "Compliant" mean?  Compliance as used in this document refers to substance limits of selected laws and regulations that are considered important for our fields of business.  The Advanced Crystal composition complies with current laws and regulations governing the use of certain substances in finished products for a number of segments.