Quartz Crystal Jewelry
Q: The Chinese are producing "hand-cut" crystal beads, which are sold, for
example, by Fire Mountain Gems. These are, according to FMG description,
less uniform than Austrian crystal, but just as sparkely. And, of course,
much less expensive.
Does anyone have experience with Czech crystal? Or Chinese crystal?
A:It is true that there are two kinds of crystal - quartz is known as "rock
crystal" and fine leaded glass is also called crystal. But commonly, all
faceted glass beads are called crystals by many (whether this is
"scientifically" accurate or not) and actually there are a lot of gemstones
that FORM as crystals (diamonds, emeralds, rubies, etc, etc.) that are not
normally called crystals, unless they are sold in the natural crystalline
state, and even then they may have received additional polishing or faceting
to make them look better! FMG also sells crystals made from a rare earth
element (sorry, name escapes me right now)