What is the difference between a crystal and a rhinestone?
Swarovski manufactures both crystals and rhinestones, and both are made out of leaded crystal (like a Waterford vase). “Crystals” are beads made out of leaded crystal, while “rhinestones” are solid chunks of leaded crystal cut into faceted shapes in the same manner as a diamond (e.g. marquise cut, princess cut, round cut, etc.). By cutting Swarovski rhinestone chain and stringing them through where the chain connector was, we are able to use the brilliance the rhinestone offers in the designs while maintaining the security stringing beads offers.
