Since the company's introduction in 1895, the Swarovski family has been known as the makers of the world's finest crystal. The company, located in Austrian Alps, fires a combination of natural minerals and quartz sand and carefully cools each piece to avoid stress , inclusions, and impurities. This strict adherence to quality produces the clearest crystals found anywhere in the world. Swarovski crystals are world famous for their unparallel quality, razor sharp facets, rich colors, and prismatic brilliance.