Swarovski

The Glass Ceiling

Swarovski is the king of costume jewelry. But let's be clear: it is glass. High-lead crystal glass.

The Material

• Not a Gemstone: It is man-made. It has no intrinsic mineral value.
• The Cut: This is what you pay for. Swarovski cuts glass better than anyone on earth. The refraction (sparkle) rivals diamonds.
• Resale Value: Zero. You cannot resell a crystal figurine or necklace for anything close to retail.

The Use Case

• Fashion: It looks expensive on the red carpet or at a gala.
• Bridal: huge volume of bridal jewelry because it photographs well.
• Gifts: The blue box feels premium.

The Verdict

Buy Swarovski for the look, not the legacy. It is the best costume jewelry money can buy. Just remember that it is, factually, fancy glass.