Difference between Swarovski Crystal and Diamond
The value and universal appeal of the diamond cannot be denied, although the Swarovski Crystal does have a strong following of its own. Offering a worthy alternative to the timeless appeal of the diamond, the Swarovski Crystal is compared here to the perennially valuable gem.
Profile
Swarovski Crystal is the name of a line of crystal products produced by the Swarovski AG company out of Wattens, Austria.
Diamonds are allotropes of carbon in which the carbon atoms are arranged in variations of the crystal structure known as a diamond lattice. Diamond is a less stable substance than graphite, although the diamond-to-graphite conversion rate is negligible at certain conditions. Diamonds are widely known for their durability and strength, which is due mainly to its atoms’ powerful covalent bond. Diamonds in fact have the highest hardness and thermal conductivity of any bulk substance, and this has resulted in its widespread industrial use for cutting and polishing tasks.
Types
Swarovski Crystals range from crystal sculptures and miniatures to jewelry and even household decor. All the company’s products are marked with its distinctive logo, which was originally an edelweiss flower, but has since been replaced by a "S.A.L." logo. In 1988, the company again changed its logo to the current swan that its products bear today, although this too is being replaced in favor of the Swarovski name.
Diamonds were historically only found in the alluvial deposits in the Guntur and Krishna districts in Southern India’s Krishna River delta. India was in fact the world leader in diamond production from the time of the first diamond discovery in 9 B.C. to the mid-18th century. After this however, Brazil took over the role of the world’s top diamond producer. It was in Brazil that diamonds were first found outside the Indian continent in 1725.
Controversies
Swarovski crystals are made out of readily available materials found in many parts of the world. Diamonds on the other hand are quite rare and hard to find, and they are often sourced from politically unstable countries in Central and West Africa. It is here that certain armed groups have taken control of diamond mines, using the revenues earned for their operations. These diamonds have since earned the name “conflict diamonds” or “blood diamonds”. The practice of many diamond-trading corporations to continue dealing with these armed groups has fueled criticism from many sectors of society.
In addition, searching for diamonds is often a difficult and dangerous process, and many miners and diamond diggers have to travel to far-off places to work long hours for meager and sometimes even no pay under the harshest of conditions. Along with the practice of trading in "blood diamonds", this has resulted in diamonds having a less than savory reputation that Swarovski Crystals simply do not have.
Similarities and Differences
Swarovski Crystals
- A line of crystal products produced by the Swarovski AG company
- Made out of readily available materials found in many parts of the world
Diamonds
- Allotropes of carbon in which the carbon atoms are arranged in variations of the “diamond lattice”
- Often sourced from politically unstable countries in Central and West Africa
