All crystals are created equal, right? Wrong. At least, that’s what I found out after a little digging. But how can you tell the difference between a pretty glass bead and, say, a stunning Swarovski crystal? Just look for these three simple characteristics.

Shape & Appearance: All beads should be a uniform shape with the same number of facets, regardless of size.

Color: The shade of each bead is around 99.8% accurate. Meaning? They should all appear to be the same exact color, inside and out.

Weight: These crystals are noticeably heavier than glass beads, thanks to their high lead content.

Our Swarovski Boutique opens Sunday, October 27, at 11AM ET.

By Abigail Kuzia, Editor

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