My daughter-in-law-to-be would like her tiara to be made of Austrian crystals. I will be in Vienna over Easter and traveling around the area for a couple of weeks. Where is the best place to buy Austrian crystals? Cities and stores, please. Thank you.<BR>

OK, I used to do lots of work with Austrian crystal and when my grandparents when to Austria, I gave them a long list of crystals I wanted. They spend all this time looking for stuff and everything they were told was that the selection was just as good in the US, specificlly the bead, finding, etc district in NYC. When they called me with things they found, it is what we have here. <BR><BR>The highest quality Austrian crystal is a brand named Swarovski. The're other brands, but they are made in the Czech republic for the most part, not Austria. <BR><BR>I think you could spend your whole trip looking for items you can get here. <BR><BR>It's been a long time since I have done this work, but I do know the importers in NYC. Email me if you want to know the NYC wholesalers. I'm happy to help for such a special day in your family!<BR><BR>Oh, just did a quick google search and found this page, perhaps your daughter in law to be might like it. <BR><BR>http://www.veilsbyelaine.com/headpieces.html<BR><BR>CHeers, <BR><BR>Beth<BR>

Just look up Swarovski - one of Austria's major companies and THE crystal maker for the fashion industry. Stores are in all the main cities but more in Vienna than anywhere else- Large flagship store opened in Kartnerstrasse (dead centre, main street) last year. Lots of other smaller stores selling them. My wife bought a whole lot of crystal tattoos which glued on to her arms, so you make like to check those out as well. There is also Agatha (French) with store in Ringstrasse Gallerie (on the Ring, every hotel can tell you where it is) which will give an alternative style.

There are many Swarovski tiara s on ebay now, lots of pictures, just be sure to check the feedback on seller. <BR>

Is your daughter-in -law a princess or something? Why a taira? Just curious.

Thanks for the good answers. Yes, my daughter-in-law-to be will be a princess when she marries my son. (At least to him and me.) I am planning to make her tiara, since I am making her dress, as well. She is wearing a tiara since that is the &quot;in thing&quot; to hold up ones wedding veil these days. I have seen the wonderful tiaras on ebay and the web, but they all are so ornate. She and I have our own idea of how it should look. I only want to buy some of the crystals in Austria, so that she will remember where they came from. I plan to restring her crystals after the wedding for her into a necklace. Thanks again for any help anyone has to give.

As you are looking at buying single crystals, I would suggest you contact Swarovski offices directly. My wife bought hers direct from their London office (not shop) - where they are selling them effectively wholesale. You may like to say you are making them for a sample and you may have to take on more than you may need - i.e check it out a little bit more before any travel.