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Glorious Crystal EffectsCoatings & Finish for Crystals, Glass, Stones, & PearlsCrystal effects are most commonly applied to crystals, especially the Swarovski crystals, but they can and are also applied to stones, glass pearls, glass beads, and even plasitc & acrylic beads. Coating are normally applied to only half of a bead. Whenever the coating is applied to both sides of a bead, it has the suffix 2X; e.g. CAB 2X. Crystal effects & finishes add beauty & character to the crystals and sometimes can enhance them dramatically. Swarovski separates their coatings into what they call "Ordinary" and "Special Effects". However some of the "Ordinary" coatings are among the most beautiful and sought after of all the various effects. Ordinary CoatingsAureole Borealis
(also sometimes spelt as Aurora Boreale or Aurore Boreale)This is most commonly referred to as AB finish. When applied on clear crystal, the resultant crystal is referred to as Crystal AB or CAB for short. Clear crystals are normally referred to as Crystal, and if it has a coating applied then it will be called Crystal + Coating-Name. E.g when you have a clear crystal with AB coating, that will be called Crystal AB; if the clear cystal has a Bermuda Blue coating, then it will be referred to as Crystal Bermuda Blue; etc.
In fact it is not uncommon to have the name truncated to the name of the coating only. E.g. AB or Bermuda Blue. This is true whenever the base crystal is clear. Aurora Boreale effect is one of the most well-known, sought after, shimmering effects. It is an iridescent coating applied to stone, glass, crystals. It gives a terrific rainbow effect which can be sublte to very obvious. It has a very light rainbow effect that leans toward a pale yellow tone, but shimmers in pink and blue as well. When applied on a color bead, it changes the color just slightly and gives it a rainbow effect. On Jet it makes a strong rainbow effect. Comet Argent Light (aka CAL) 
This has a bright silvery finish. When applied to the whole crystal (i.e. 2X), the crystal effects will make the crystal look like a silver bead that does not tarnish. When applied to half of a bead, it looks very interesting, with half the bead looking like silver and the rest taking the color of the crystal itself. Golden Shadow 
The golden shadow is like a delicious splash of rich champagne. It gives the crystal a old-world vintage light golden coppery look.Satin 
The satin finish gives an extra sheen to the underlying beads.It is generally called Hematite finish when applied to Jet/black beads because it causes the beads to look like hematite. Hematite 2X is fairly common on coloured beads. Silver Shade 
The silver shade finish is silvery coating applied to the base crystal.It gives the crystal as subtle hint of vintage silver as well as endorsing the crystal with super shine. Special CoatingsAurum
This finish is made from real gold - hence it is more expensive than other finishes. It looks like gold and is most often used on plain clear crystal throughout (i.e. Crystal Aurum 2X).Bermuda Blue 
This is also non-transparent coating. When seen through clear crystal, it takes on a deep blue tone. When seen directly on the surface of the finish it is a dark navy blue. This finish is not normally used on colored crystal though it can be. Dorado  This is a non-transparent finish with a bronze appearance. Glacial Blue 
This coating produces a cobalt blue appearance. It can be applied to a colored bead.A common use is Jet Glacier Blue. (Glacier Blue finish on a Jet crystal). Heliotrope 
Heliotrope finish has a deep purple - deep green appearance when seen through the crystal. However its outer surface can seem dull grayish brown. Meridian Blue 
This coating is silvery on the outside with overtones of baby blue. Looking through the bead, it shines as a light blue with green overtone. Quite a magnificent finish.Sahara 
Sahara effect gives a golden blonde shiny finish. Attractive both on the surface and whilst looking through the crystal. Tabac 
A dark copper/gold finish that has a subdued but sophisticated tone when seen through the crystal. It is named Tabac after tobacco.
Transmission 
Transmission is a transparent finish. It similar to AB, but it shines mostly pink when seen through the crystal. Vitrail Medium and Vitrail Light 
These non-transparent coatings are Ultra-shinny and it will produce different colors depending on how & where the light hits the surface. When the coating is seen through clear crystal, it takes on strong red and green tones. These finishes are not normally used on colored crystal though it sometimes is.Vitrail Light is just lighter in tone. Volcano 
An extremely striking finish. Hard to tell from photos but it is silvery on the outside. However when seen through the crystal, it takes strong purple and red tones (like a volcano). Normally though not necessariy, it is used on clear crystal.
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