D. Swarovski & Co. · Wattens Austria

Swarovski's crystal crunching nature has nothing to do with a new-agey belief system. The century-old firm makes crystals for use in jewelry, decorative glass objects (including, yes, those crystal animals that adorn collection shelves), cutting materials for the auto industry, and scopes for guns and binoculars. Its objects d'art and jewelry account for most of sales and are sold through its some 650 stores and concessions, as well as through about 500 department, specialty, and kitschy stores worldwide. The company, once a part owner of Zale Corp, is owned and operated by the extended Swarovski family. Its US unit acquired family-run Schonbek Worldwide Lighting. To read the full description, subscribe now.