Types of Rhinestones and Rhinestone Finishes
Common Rhinestone Finishes
Aurora Borealis (AB)
Aurora Borealis rhinestone finishing was introduced in the mid 1950's and gives rhinestones (or crystals or
beads) that iridescent rainbow-reflecting quality. It's a thin, metallic finish applied to
rhinestones and beads.
Matte finish
A matte finish rhinestone is where the surface of the bead or stone appears to not have any shine or
gloss. Some call this a "dull" finish.
Vitrail Light and Vitrail Medium
Both the vitrail finishes were created by Swarovski to coat crystals and rhinestones where
half the item is coated with a metallic finish giving half of it that iridescent quality. Opaque.
Heliotrope
Heliotrope is a finish with deep purple and green appearance when seen through the stone or
bead.
Dorado
Dorado is a newer finish by Swarovski with an opaque bronze look.
Comet Aurumis
This is a gold finish on a bead or rhinestone that makes it look as if it's made of gold. (In contrast to Comet Aurum is Comet Argent Light, which makes the item appear silver.)
Types of Rhinestones
Several types of rhinestones exist including:
point back,
flat back,
domed back,
foiled back, and
unfoiled back
machine cut,
half tin cut,
demi-fin,
fire polished (FP),
table polished,
Rhinestones can be faceted, cabochons, table top, cab top, opaque, translucent, and
transparent. They come in many shapes and sizes; there are even flower shaped rhinestones used in jewellery.
Swarovski Rhinestone Colors
Current Swarovski colors include: alexandrite, amethyst, aquamarine, black diamond, blue zircon,
bronze, burgundy, Capri blue, cardinal, Caribbean blue opal, chalkwhite AB, chrysolite, comet
argent light, copper, crystal, emerald, erinite, fire opal, fuchsia, garnet, golden shadow, green
tourmaline, hyacinth, Indian red, Indian sapphire, Indicolite, iris, jet, jet hematite, jonquil, khaki,
light amethyst, light azore, light Colorado topaz, light peach, light rose, light sapphire, light
Siam, light smoked topaz, light topaz, lime, Madeira topaz, metallic blue, Montana, Morion,
Olivine, Padparadscha, peridot, purple velvet, red topaz, rose, ruby, sapphire, shadow crystal,
Siam, silk, silver shade, smoked topaz, smokey quartz, tanzanite, topaz, turmaline, turquoise, rose water opal (lovely pink), mint alabaster (pale turquoise color), and crystal moonlight crystals, dark red coral, palace green opal, light grey opal, and antique brass pearls, violet, white alabaster, white opal, white opal sky blue, and white opal star shine. Many Swarovski colors come in AB finish as well.
The Latest Rhinestone Colors by Swarovski
The last year or two have brought several new Swarovski colors in rhinestones and beads, including in mocca, and sand opal. New for winter 2009/2010 Swarovski has introduced dark indigo, indian pink, and the crystal bourdeaux imitation pearl.
