Zebra Amai

This year’s Swarovski Crystal Society (SCS) collection takes inspiration from the unique flora and fauna of Africa – and in particular the zebra. We take a look at how the natural beauty of the African equine has been brought to life in crystal form.

 A zebra’s stripes are its key distinguishing element, with each animal bearing a unique pattern. However, the question of how the zebra got its stripes and what purpose they serve has long been debated.

有些人認為那些條紋可讓斑馬在非洲炎熱的太陽下保持清涼，但最近的研究顯示，條紋的作用其實是驅蟲，用來欺騙想棲息在斑馬毛皮下的蠅蟲。 

也有人認為，當斑馬移動時，黑白相間的條紋會產生刺眼的效果，以混淆斑馬的天敵 ── 其天敵很多都是色盲。那種效果可以掩飾動物的行進速度或方向，在大規模移動時可形成掩護。事實上，這種集體的斑馬移動現象被稱為「眩目」效果，使牠成為Swarovski 水晶的最佳重製對象。就像非洲大草原的馬類動物，今年的 SCS Annual Edition 2021 Zebra Amai 光彩奪目。

富有創新精神的設計師 Heinz Tabertshofer 進行了一項挑戰，在Swarovski 水晶上演繹獨特的斑馬條紋。他將此大自然標誌性創作重新創作為Swarovski 水晶作品，其步驟如下：

步驟 1：研究與草圖 

Heinz 先研究該動物及其自然棲息地，接著前往參觀 Evelyn Haim-Swarovski 農場和居住其中的兩隻斑馬。這讓 Heinz 有機會在真實生活中近距離觀察此動物。最後，SCS Zebra Amai 的作品大多是根據一隻名為 Helmut 的當地斑馬所創作。 

步驟 2：粗略雕塑製模 

使用數位電腦製模功能，將草圖轉換成 3D 圖像。在此階段，可實驗不同的體態和表現方式，直到找出完美的姿勢。

Step 3: Design model

Once a final design was settled on, designer Heinz Tabertshofer and the product developer worked together to optimize the angles of the facets, to ensure the masterpiece would sparkle at its best. When they were satisfied, the Zebra Amai boasted 457 facets and a resin replica could be produced. 

Step 4: Handmade prototype

The SCS Annual Edition 2021 Zebra Amai finally sparkled into life as a hand-cut and polished prototype. A special coating was used to help define her stripes, giving Zebra Amai a unique Silver Night and Golden Shine coat.

Step 5: Production of crystal parts

Once the prototype had been perfected, production could begin. Precise tooling individually cut each of the constituent parts of the model. 

Step 6: Gluing and assembly

Each component was meticulously glued together by hand, and a final polish was all that was needed to bring the Zebra Amai to life. 

Step 7: Quality control

Each crystal creation was thoroughly examined by a team of experts, who ensured that all colors looked as they should and that all facets were flawless and radiant. Once it had passed this final scrutiny, it was ready to fill the world with joy and brilliance!