THE GLASS
For decades, crystal makers added lead to achieve clarity in the glass. But Swarovski recently patented “Advanced Crystal,” which has no lead in the formula at all.
THE COLOR
Crystals are available in 73 colors, but the hue varies further with the addition of various coatings. Even so, the most popular color is none: clear, natural crystal.
THE CUT
Swarovski’s plant in Wattens, Austria, holds its top-secret cutting machines that facet the crystals for maximum light refraction—er, sparkle.
On the night of May 19, 1962, Peter Lawford, hosting a Democratic Party fundraiser for JFK at New York’s Madison Square Garden, ceded the podium for one of the most famous performances of the 20th century. Having snuck away from the set of her latest film, Marilyn Monroe strode into…
