Full lead crystal is minimum 30% lead content.

All Swarovski crystals (all Strass®, all 1000's, 2000's and here and here, 3000's and here, 4000's, 5000's & 6000's loose components ranges, and all forward-integrated items) have always been 'full lead crystal' up until 2012. The only exception was their Spectra® brand. That 30% standard was really important until...

Swarovski changed how they did things in 2012 and introduced lead-free 'ADVANCED CRYSTAL'... 

In 2012, Swarovski® patented a new, innovative lead-free crystal composition, called ADVANCED CRYSTAL. All their products, (apart from Spectra) are made of Advanced Crystal now, and are all lead-free.

Advanced Crystal, which is entirely lead-free, is made of carefully selected raw materials in outstanding purity, in order to reach its excellent quality standard. Advanced Crystal fulfils all optical and visual criteria of full lead crystal and fulfils the highest class “Ultra Clear” according to the standard ISO IWA08. It is a perfect and sustainable alternative to full lead crystal. 

So is Swarovski still classified as crystal, or is it just glass?

The new ADVANCED CRYSTAL falls in the category 3 “crystal glass” according to the European Directive 69/493/EEC (Crystal Directive). ADVANCED CRYSTAL provides the same visual and optical characteristics as full lead crystal. There is no optical or visual difference. Brilliance, light dispersion etc. are not solely defined through the crystal composition but also determined by precision cutting, polishing and purity of raw materials – all areas in which Swarovski takes a leading position. 

Is there any noticeable difference when comparing the different crystal compositions of full lead crystal and Advanced Crystal? 

None visually. The only noticeable difference is in the weight of the products as the new composition results in a 15- 20 % less heavy product. The hardness has gradually increased with the new ADVANCED CRYSTAL standard.

Does the Swarovski brand 'STRASS®' still exist therefore? 

Yes, but let's make an important distinction as well. Firstly, STRASS® SWAROVSKI CRYSTAL is the brand of Swarovski's first line Lighting Collection (designed for use in lighting and chandeliers, and also used for suncatchers and even jewellery). ADVANCED CRYSTAL is now the material composition of Strass. But Swarovski also have many other 'sub-brands' for want of a better word: Spectra (also for Lighting), CrystalPixie® for Nail Art, and their Create Your Style range and Crystals by Swarovski range of loose components for fashion, jewellery, dance, craft.

So how do I know if it's Strass? 

Each individual STRASS® crystal carries the trapezoid-shaped STRASS® Signature, which is indelibly engraved in the crystal (only in genuine Strass clear crystals sized 12 mm and above, and only in genuine Strass coloured crystals sized 18 mm and above). There is no STRASS® Signature with the colors Bordeaux, Jet and Emerald and also no STRASS® Signature is on the later release Bordeaux Blue - Limited Edition. 

And what about these other lines Swarovski produce, how can I tell if they're genuine?!

Swarovski have such a long history, and many sub-brands, and also many logos! The lovely swan, the edelweiss flower, the trapezoid Strass shape, the CYS logo, and lately the Crystals by Swarovski logo which looks like s round stamp (very cool). The ONLY Swarovski items that have any logo 'in' them are the Strass items as detailed above. You don't expect a Swarovski logo on or in a 3mm bead, huh? And retailers such ourselves can choose whether to add cost to the products you buy by creating branded packaging but in our experience trust and reputation go a loooooong way. BUT, you can expect current (or if not current, at least legitimate Swarovski) branding on factory packaging of factory quantities supplied to you by your supplier. There are many imitators out there who are willing to pass their goods off as 'Swarovski' when they most emphatically are not! Some factory packaging is even made to look like Swarovski's current and previous packaging and branding. Oh the stories we could tell...  The only true way to know you are buying genuine Swarovski products, perhaps other than the Strass range which is identifiable because of the etched logo, is to buy from a trusted and reputable Swarovski Authorised Retailer. It's easy enough to check, simply by going on the Swarovski Create Your Style website. Here's our wee spot of glory on the alphabetically ordered list of Authorized Retailers at Swarovski Create Your Style:)    

So, please explain what SPECTRA® CRYSTAL is...

As explained above, SPECTRA® CRYSTAL is one of Swarovski's brands. It features a basic assortment of traditional shapes, has a different crystal composition from Strass and the other Swarovski crystal brands which are all made with Advanced Crystal since 2012,  and is only available in crystal (i.e. no contemporary shapes, no colors/effects). Spectra is made with less strict quality criteria for ingredients in comparison to Advanced Crystal, and using cost saving, but still responsible, production processes. This results in excellent value for money, but also a clear differentiation from the first line SWAROVSKI with its Advanced Crystal Standard.