Effects and Codes

Swarovski Effects and Codes

The incredible effects and finishes are produced using a vacuum metal coating process. It is applied on the surface of the crystal, either in the front (top) or on the reverse (bottom) sides. These processes can either produce a surface effect, a translucent effect, and/or special surface effects. This vacuum coating process can be applied to clear or colour crystals.

The effect-terms used here are as used by Swarovski and are used to define the coating process. This has no direct correlation to how they are priced. Swarovski uses similar terms for pricing (which can be confusing) so just treat the information presented here as a short information on the coating process involved and the meaning of some of the resultant Swarovski Effect Codes.

For pricing purposes, Swarovski uses the terms "Ordinary Effects" and "Special Effects". You can view a more comprehensive Swarovski Ordinary/Special Effects list.

SURFACE EFFECTS (Vacuum coating on surface)			TRANSLUCENT EFFECTS (Vacuum coating on reverse side. The resultant effect shines through the crystal.)
image	Effect Code	effect name	image	Effect Code	effect name
	AB	Aurore Boreale		BBL	Bermuda Blue
	CAL	Comet Argent Light		HEL	Heliotrope
	COP	Copper		MBL	Meridian Blue
	DOR	Dorado		SAG	Sage
	GSHA	Golden Shadow		SAH	Sahara
	HEM	Hematite		TAB	Tabac
	METBL	Metallic Blue		VL	Vitrail Light
	METSI	Metallic Silver		VM	Vitrail Medium
	MOL	Moonlight		VOL	Volcano
	NUT	Nut (only on Jet)
	SAT	Satin
	SSHA	Silver Shade
	TRA	Transmission

Variations on Surface Effects (suffix code)
image	Effect Code Suffix	explanation
	V	The effect is applied on the reverse. If a surface effect is normally applied on the front, then this indicates it is applied on the back (e.g. ABV = AB is applied on the back). Similarly, if a surface effect is normally on the back, then this suffix indicates it has been applied on the front (e.g. VMV=VM being applied on the front).
	Z	The effect is applied to only part of the crystal (e.g. HELZ means that Heliotrope effect was only applied to part of the crystal stone).
	B	Effect has been applied on 3 sides of a cube shape (e.g. ABB)
	2x	Effect applied to both sides of stone (e.g. Aurore Boreale 2x aka AB2)

Special Surface Effects
image	Effect Code	effect name	explanation
	MAT	Matt Finish	Matt Finish effect results from a chemical matting process to entire surface of crystal. Small variations may occur.
	FRO	Frosted	The Frosted effect can be done via mechanical process but only on Flat Back Roses.
	COS	Cosmojet	Cosmojet effect can achieve blackening of single facets of the crystal.