What are the Aurora Borealis?

The Aurora Borealis, also called the Northern Lights, are beautiful curtains of light created when fast electrons from the solar wind slam into the rarefied gas of the upper atmosphere. The mechanism of action is similar to the way electrons in a television generate specks of light when they impact the phosphor-coated inside of the screen. However, the physics of the Aurora Borealis are complex, and not perfectly understood. The energy of certain types of aurora probably derives from a dynamo effect of the interplanetary (solar wind-caused) magnetic field against the Earth's magnetic field. This is similar to the way electricity can be generated by rotating a magnet within an electromagnetic coil.

The aurorae are green or faint red in color, produced by re-emission from atmospheric oxygen. Atmospheric nitrogen sometimes produces very faint blue/violet aurorae. Some of the most magnificent pictures of aurorae have been taken from the Space Shuttle or International Space Station, which views the phenomenon from an angle impossible from the ground.

The Aurora Borealis is most easily observed about 1500 miles (2400 km) from the Earth's magnetic poles. A southern variant also exists, called the Aurora Australis, but this is rarely observed because it mainly occurs in the oceans around Antarctica. The Earth's magnetic poles are located about 11° away from the geographical poles. In the north, the magnetic pole is located just north of Canada, meaning the Aurora Borealis is easily observable from places like Fairbanks, Alaska. Rarely, during magnetic storms and coronal mass ejections (super solar-flares), the Aurora Borealis becomes much more intense, and can be visible as far south as Boston. In 1856, a coronal mass ejection produced aurorae so strong that one could read a book at night in New York using the light produced.

The Aurora Borealis have long been subjects of mythology and superstition. Scandinavians once thought they were produced by the reflections of huge schools of herring. In Scotland, they were called the "merry dancers." Gold miners in Alaska believed they were reflections of the greatest mother lode. Until the advent of scientific satellites, many of the theories about the aurorae were very speculative. Even today, our understanding is not perfect, but is steadily improving.

What is "AB"?

The characteristics of Swarovski crystals are unparalleled in both style and substance. Not only are their cuts distinct, but the assorted colors and shapes cover a broad spectrum. The brilliant sparkle of each crystal is actually resulted from a glass composition containing 32 percent lead. Besides this refraction maximizing strategy, special metallic coatings are used on some of the crystals to ensure that light refracts from the surface in a rainbow spectrum. One of the most utilized coatings is Aurora Borealis, simply known as "AB."

What is a Swarovski Crystal?

A Swarovski Crystal is one of the most recognized brand of crystals in the world today. Sold under the Swarovski luxury brand name, these crystals have been famous worldwide for their precision cuts, clarity, and sparkle. Swarovski crystals have made appearances in all pieces of jewelry imaginable, including necklaces and pendants, earrings, rings, stick-on tattoos, and tiaras. They are now even used as appliques in clothing fashions and home decor, among myriad other things.

The Swarovski brand is managed by private companies under the municipality of Feldmeilen in Switzerland. The Swarovski group also manufactures products that are used in the making or application of crystal-glass. These include Swarovski Optik, a maker of optical instruments; Tyrolit, for crystal cutting tools, Signity, maker of synthetic gemstones; and Swareflex, manufacturers of luminous road markers.

The Swarovski company was first established in 1895 as a crystal cutting factory in the town of Wattens, Austria. Its founder, Czech-born Daniel Swarovski, invented the first automatic cutting machine in 1892. Three years after having patented crystal-glass abrasion methods using his machine, Swarovski moved to Wattens, where he could take fully optimize usage of the local hydroelectric power there. Hydroelectric power lent his factory the intensive energy needed for his patented processes. The Swarovski company first adopted the edelweiss flower as the logo until 1988, when it was replaced by the currently recognized swan. The logo appears on all sculptures manufactured by the company.

The characteristics of Swarovski crystals are unparalleled in both style and substance. Not only are their cuts distinct, but the assorted colors and shapes cover a broad spectrum. The brilliant sparkle of each crystal is actually resulted from a glass composition containing 32 percent lead. Besides this refraction maximizing strategy, special metallic coatings are used on some of the crystals to ensure that light refracts from the surface in a rainbow spectrum. One of the most utilized coatings is Aurora Borealis, simply known as "AB."

The Swarovski website features a couture line, their other fine products, a news center, and a members forum. This last feature is considered the homepage of the Swarovski Crystal Society (SCS), a group of crystal enthusiasts and collectors worldwide founded in 1987. Through signing up, all members receive access to a quarterly newsletter and access to special, limited edition Swarovski crystal products, among other benefits. Members come from all age groups and geographical origins. The SCS continuously sponsors events, tours, and banquets where members are able to meet and share their "passion for the beauty of crystal."