Swarovski Crystal AB

Swarovski Crystal AB is the most iconic and widely used crystal effect in the Swarovski range, available across the complete crystal components collection including flatbacks, hotfix crystals, beads, pearls, pendants, chatons and fancy stones. The Aurora Borealis coating produces a shifting rainbow iridescence across the crystal surface, predominantly in hues of pink, blue and green, that changes character with every movement and angle of light. Bluestreak Crystals stocks the complete Swarovski Crystal AB range across all product types and sizes as an official Swarovski Authorised Distribution Partner, with same or next working day dispatch on the majority of orders.

Bluestreak Crystals: Authorised Swarovski Distribution Partner

Bluestreak Crystals is an official Swarovski Authorised Distribution Partner, one of a very small number of approved suppliers worldwide permitted to sell genuine Swarovski Crystal AB components. Every crystal is directly sourced and quality-assured.

What Is Swarovski Crystal AB?

Crystal AB is short for Aurora Borealis, the scientific name for the Northern Lights. The AB coating was first created in 1956 through a collaboration between Swarovski and legendary fashion designer Christian Dior, who wanted to capture the ethereal, shifting light quality of the Northern Lights in crystal form. The effect was achieved by vacuum-coating a very thin layer of metallic material onto the surface of the crystal, producing a rainbow iridescence that shifts between pink, blue, green and gold depending on the viewing angle and light source.

The result is a crystal effect unlike any other in the Swarovski range. Where standard coloured crystals produce a consistent, defined colour, Crystal AB produces a continuously shifting, multi-tonal iridescence that catches and scatters light differently from every angle. The AB coating is applied to the top surface of flatbacks and fancy stones, and to one half of beads and pendants, allowing the base crystal colour to show through from certain angles while the iridescent coating takes over from others.

What Is the Difference Between Crystal AB and Crystal AB x2?

Crystal AB applies the Aurora Borealis iridescent coating to one side of the crystal only, producing a subtler iridescence that allows the base crystal colour to remain visible from the reverse. Crystal AB x2 applies the same coating to both sides of the crystal for a more intense, all-round iridescent effect with greater colour depth and presence. Crystal AB suits designs where a delicate, refined iridescence is the intention; Crystal AB x2 suits designs where maximum iridescent impact is the priority.

What Swarovski Crystal AB Products Are Available?

Swarovski Crystal AB is available across the complete range of crystal component product types, making it possible to build a fully coordinated Crystal AB design across every element of a jewellery or embellishment project:

Crystal AB non hotfix flatbacks — non hotfix flatbacks in the 2000, 2058 and 2088 cuts across SS3 to SS48, the most widely used Crystal AB product in professional nail art, garment embellishment and accessories work.
Crystal AB hotfix crystals — hotfix flatbacks with heat-activated adhesive pre-applied for direct fabric application, the standard choice for dancewear, costumes and bridal gown embellishment in Crystal AB.
Crystal AB beads — bicone, round, briolette and cube beads in Crystal AB across a full range of sizes for jewellery making, bridal accessories and beadwork.

Crystal AB pendants

Crystal AB chatons and fancy stones — pointed back chatons and fancy stones in Crystal AB for jewellery settings and dimensional embellishment.

What Colours Are Available in AB?

While Crystal AB is the most widely used and universally recognised AB effect, the Aurora Borealis coating is also available across a wide range of coloured crystal bases, producing a coloured iridescent effect that combines the underlying colour with the rainbow AB shimmer. Popular coloured AB options include Rose AB, Light Rose AB, Sapphire AB, Light Sapphire AB, Siam AB, Violet AB, Amethyst AB, Peridot AB and Light Topaz AB, each producing a distinct coloured iridescence that adds depth and movement to the base colour. Coloured AB crystals are available across flatbacks, beads and pendants within the range.

What Is Swarovski Crystal AB Used For?

Swarovski Crystal AB is used across every professional application in which crystal components appear and is consistently one of the most specified effects in the range. In nail art, Crystal AB flatbacks are among the most popular crystals used by professional nail technicians for their versatile iridescent shimmer that complements any nail colour. In jewellery making, Crystal AB bicone and round beads are a staple of bridal and occasion jewellery for the rainbow light play they add to strung and linked designs. In garment embellishment and dancewear, Crystal AB hotfix crystals are the standard iridescent effect used in performance costumes and bridal gowns where a sophisticated, multi-tonal sparkle is the design intention. In fashion accessories, Crystal AB flatbacks are widely used in phone decoration, shoe embellishment and accessory customisation for the dynamic light quality that solid colour crystals cannot replicate.

Why Choose Swarovski Crystal AB?

Swarovski Crystal AB is engineered to the same exacting Austrian manufacturing standards as the rest of the Swarovski range, with the Aurora Borealis coating applied to a consistent depth and quality across every batch. The AB coating on genuine Swarovski crystals produces a distinctive predominantly pink-toned iridescence that is recognisably different from the AB coatings applied by other crystal brands, making it the preferred choice for professional applications where the specific character of Swarovski AB is part of the design specification. All crystals are lead-free and REACH-compliant since 2012, available across retail and wholesale pack sizes with same or next working day dispatch on the majority of orders.

Complete Your Designs

Swarovski Crystal AB pairs naturally with clear Crystal for classic mixed designs where the AB adds iridescent movement alongside standard clear brilliance. For bridal work, combine Crystal AB flatbacks and hotfix with Crystal AB bicone beads and Crystal White Pearl for a complete coordinated iridescent bridal palette. For nail art, Crystal AB in SS5, SS7 and SS9 are the most widely used sizes, combining naturally with Crystal and Crystal Moonlight for a clean, versatile iridescent nail design. Browse our full range of jewellery making tools and adhesives to support every stage of your project. For colour matching support, visit our Swarovski digital colour guides or order samples via our sample service.

Why Buy Swarovski Crystal AB from Bluestreak?

Authorised distributor — guaranteed genuine Swarovski Crystal AB across all product types and sizes
Complete range in stock — flatbacks, hotfix, beads, pearls, pendants and chatons all in Crystal AB in one place
Fast dispatch — majority of orders shipped same or next working day
Worldwide shipping — reliable international delivery with tracked options
Colour support — Swarovski colour charts and a sample service to support colour and size selection
Alternatives available — we also stock Serinity Crystal AB (Austrian-made) and Preciosa Crystal AB (Czech-made) as alternative options

Browse the full Swarovski Crystal AB range to start ordering. For pricing enquiries or help sizing a production order, contact our team at hello@bluestreakcrystals.com.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Swarovski Crystal AB? ▾

Crystal AB is short for Aurora Borealis, the scientific name for the Northern Lights. The AB coating was first created in 1956 through a collaboration between Swarovski and Christian Dior, producing a shifting rainbow iridescence across the crystal surface that changes character with every movement and angle of light. It is the most widely used and iconic crystal effect in the Swarovski range.

What does AB stand for in Swarovski Crystal AB? ▾

AB stands for Aurora Borealis, the scientific name for the Northern Lights. The term was first used by Swarovski in 1956 to describe the iridescent rainbow coating developed in collaboration with Christian Dior, named for its resemblance to the shifting, multi-coloured light of the natural Northern Lights phenomenon.

What is the difference between Crystal AB and Crystal AB x2? ▾

What colours does Swarovski Crystal AB come in? ▾

Crystal AB is available on a clear crystal base as standard, and also across a wide range of coloured crystal bases including Rose AB, Light Rose AB, Sapphire AB, Light Sapphire AB, Siam AB, Violet AB, Amethyst AB, Peridot AB and Light Topaz AB, each producing a distinct coloured iridescence that combines the underlying colour with the rainbow AB shimmer.

What Swarovski Crystal AB products are available? ▾

Swarovski Crystal AB is available across non hotfix flatbacks, hotfix crystals, beads including bicone, round, briolette and cube formats, pearls, pendants and chatons and fancy stones, covering the complete crystal components range in Crystal AB.

What is Swarovski Crystal AB used for? ▾

Swarovski Crystal AB is used across nail art, jewellery making, garment embellishment, dancewear and performance costumes, bridal gown embellishment, fashion accessories and mixed-media craft. Crystal AB flatbacks are among the most popular crystals used by professional nail technicians. Crystal AB bicone and round beads are a staple of bridal jewellery making.

Is Swarovski Crystal AB different from other brands' AB coatings? ▾

Yes. The AB coating on genuine Swarovski crystals produces a distinctive predominantly pink-toned iridescence that is recognisably different from the AB coatings applied by other crystal brands. The specific character of Swarovski AB is part of the design specification for many professional applications where the precise iridescent quality matters.

Can I order samples of Swarovski Crystal AB before placing a larger order? ▾

Yes. Bluestreak offers a sample service and Swarovski digital colour charts to support colour and size selection before committing to a full order.