From his early childhood, Bohemian Daniel Swarovski was awed by the colorful interplay of light exhibited by crystals. Born in 1862, he quickly became captivated by the crystals he found decorating his parents’ home in Bohemia. At that time, this nation was part of the Austro-Hungarian Empire, which was one of the world’s most important manufacturing centers for glass and crystal. His father’s small factory also cut crystal, so it’s no wonder Daniel went on to develop the precision cutting method that would give Swarovski crystals their flawless finish.
Like the black and white crystals that accentuate this Necklace, Earrings and Ring Set, Laura Hernandez’s native country of Colombia is a striking land of contrasts. Here, nearly half of the country’s population of 42 million lives in poverty. Left widowed with children to care for and no marketable skills, Laura Hernandez could have become a member of this statistic. It was her jewelry designs that rescued her. Today, her creations are sought after by Colombian celebrities.
To maintain the crystalline quality of Swarovski crystals: 1) avoid exposure to household chemicals like hair spray, perfume and cleaning products; 2) wipe them gently with a warm damp cloth to remove body oils and perspiration; 3) when storing, keep them separate from other gemstones and metals that may scratch them.
Sterling silver should be stored in an airtight container with a soft lining. Cleaning with soap and water and buffing with a soft cloth will keep your sterling silver shiny as new. Avoid exposure of your sterling silver to abrasive cleansers and bleach, which may cause discoloration.