Push it to the limit
Our crystals must go through a series of rigorous quality control measures designed to test and ensure the integrity of each and every one of them.
Petra Patková, Preciosa quality expert
Where the magic happens
“Brands—especially those of international recognition who pride themselves on quality—need to know that our crystals not only look beautiful but won’t fade or fall off after only a couple of wears or washes,” explains our quality expert Petra Patková. Together with her team, Petra designs and runs all kinds of stress tests and quality control assessments of Preciosa’s assortment of more than 25,000 crystal components. A proactive solution to anticipating any unforeseen defects, many tests are conducted as a prerequisite to being sold. That is, every product must live up to Preciosa’s own strict standards of durability before it can be officially added to the portfolio.
Every day
our team tries to find new ways to destroy our products.
A rigorous sweat test is also universally undergone. Especially relevant for producers of activewear, this procedure is designed to test the resistance of the foiling on the underside of the stone to human sweat. Owing to its natural salt content, human sweat is corrosive; and prolonged contact can cause the foiling to peel away from the actual crystal. To ensure this does not happen, Preciosa stones must spend a demanding 24 hours atop a special sponge soaked in synthetic sweat in a temperature controlled chamber of 40ºC.
For example, all components must undergo a basic change-in-temperature test whereby stones are placed in a special climate-controlled chamber and exposed to rapid temperature changes ranging from –40ºC to 100ºC with varying degrees of humidity. The stones must remain in the chamber for six days without sustaining any damage. If even the slightest sign of corrosion is detected on even a single sample, it means more work needs to be done to ensure the stability of that product variant.
Just as demanding is Preciosa’s 72-hour ultraviolet radiation test.
“This is how we test the stability of colors and coatings,” explains Petra. “We remove one-third of the sample size every 24 hours and compare all three groups at the end of the trial period; to pass the test, the stones must still appear identical with absolutely no detectable fading or change in color between them.”
In addition to chemical tests, Preciosa crystals must also undergo a series of mechanical tests conducted both by machines and people. Among the most challenging is the drop test. In this procedure, the stones are dropped onto a special machine to determine the maximum height from which they can fall before sustaining any visible damage like scratches or indentations. Adhesion tests are also important, especially when it comes to determining the resilience of Preciosa’s optional hotfix layer. Among these tests are a ten-cycle machine wash and drying test and one in which a specialized machine continuously tries to tear off components hotfixed to different fabrics. “These tests are also useful to monitor how the stones withstand regular wear and tear,” adds Petra. Every test mentioned here is part of a larger curriculum of quality assurance that is constantly being revised and made more stringent.
“Failing a hard test is more valuable than passing an easy one because it leads to improvement,” says Marek Kinazs, quality director of Preciosa Components.“It’s kind of funny when you think about it; every day our team tries to find new ways to destroy our products with the sole purpose of making them better.”
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About us
Founded upon the ideals of quality, durability and innovation, Preciosa has since 1948 introduced the world to the truly captivating and timeless quality of authentically crafted Bohemian crystal.