Quality Our factories employ the worlds finest craftsmen who still breath blow, hand shape, and hand paint their creations.  All of our products are made in the Czech Republic following over 1300 years of glassmaking traditions. Bohemian Imports only selects models which are made with the four highest levels of crystal quality.  They are:

Swarovski Strass- Manufactured by the famous Swarovski Glassworks in Austria, these prisms are regarded by most as the highest production quality crystal used on chandeliers.  The prisms are machine cut and machine polished with lead content exceeding 30% and an antidust coating.  Each prism is laser monogramed with the Swarovski Strass logo to insure its authenticity.  The premium crystal for the customer who requires the best prisms that money can buy. Bohemian Imports is proud to have a collection of magnificent chandeliers dressed in 100% Swarovski Strass Prisms.

Bohemian Strass - An exceptional value - Bohemian Strass is machine cut and machine polished to exacting standards with Lead Content exceeding 30%.  Nearly identicle in appearance to Swarovski Strass without the monogram or antidust coating.  These prisms are at the top level of quality available worldwide. The prism shown here was cut from an unretouched photograph of a chandelier.  The chaos seen within the crystal is a result of the reflection of all the surrounding prisms on the chandelier without any added special effects.

Swarovski Spectra - Spectra Crystal Components are made by the famous factory Swarovski and is considered the premium lead free crystal used in the production of fine crystal lighting.  Machine cut and polished they feature clarity and refractive properties that closely resemble Strass.  In fact, it is quite common for a factory to use Swarovski Spectra with Swarovski Strass prisms to keep production costs down on the finest chandeliers manufactured worldwide. The prism shown here was cut from an unretouched photograph of a chandelier.

Bohemian Handcut Hand Polished Crystal - The crystal that made Czech Republic famous and put Waterford out of business.  Most Americans think a prism must contain lead to be of any quality.  Well the Czech Republic has proven this misconception to be wrong for centuries.  Similar to Swarovski Spectra, these prisms are manufactured using a combination of oxides other than Lead Oxide (PbO).  The result is a prism with such high clarity and refractrion of light it has often been mistaken for Strass by very experienced people within the lighting industry.  Each prism is hand cut and hand polished following the ancient traditions of the Czech Republic.  Many crystal "purists" insist this is the highest quality crystal made by man as it is completely hand made without the assistance of modern day machinery.  Schonbek refers to this level of quality as Heritage Handcut.  Often paired with Spectra Octagons it is the best value available in an exceptionally high quality crystal prism.  The prism shown here was cut from an unretouched photograph of a chandelier.

Antique Beads - You wont find any Swarovski crystal in the ancient palaces of Europe built before the late 1800s.  In keeping with time honored traditions and historical accuracy, several models in our lines offer the antique fire polished bead for the strands that adorn the chandelier.  You will find this bead in concert halls, hotels, palaces and even our own White House.  These crystal beads are ideal for the person seeking a period piece that matches the age of the environment in which it will live.  They also are more affordable than the lead free Spectra brand prisms for a gorgeous chandelier with a new antique feel. The prism shown here was cut from an unretouched photograph of a chandelier.