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.

Nekateri verjamejo, da proge zebram omogočajo hlajenje pod vročim afriškim soncem, najnovejše raziskave pa kažejo, da vzorci odvračajo žuželke, saj zmedejo muhe, ki skušajo pristati na ’zebri. 

Drugi verjamejo, da črno-bele proge med premikanjem ustvarjajo ""bleščeč učinek"", ki zmede zebrine’ plenilce, – med katerimi so mnogi barvno slepi. Ta učinek lahko pomaga pri prikrivanju hitrosti živali ali smeri njenega gibanja in pri kamuflaži v velikih skupinah. Zaradi tega fenomena se skupini zeber v angleščini reče ""bleščanje""–, kar jih naredi popolne za poustvarjanje s kristali Swarovski. Tako kot resnične zebre v afriški savani, bo’ letošnja letna izdaja SCS 2021 zebre Amai resnično zableščala.

Ustvarjalni oblikovalec Heinz Tabertshofer se je spopadel z izzivom, kako prenesti edinstvene zebrine proge v kristale Swarovski. Tega procesa se je lotil, da poustvari eno od reprezentativnih stvaritev matere narave za Swarovski:

1. korak: Raziskovanje in skice

Heinz je začel z raziskovanjem živali in njenega naravnega okolja, preden je obiskal farmo konjev Evelyn Haim-Swarovski in njenih dveh prebivalcev zeber. To je Heinzu dalo priložnost, da je opazoval živali od blizu in v resničnem življenju. Tako je na koncu koncev zebra Amai SCS v veliki meri zasnovana na eni od krajevnih zeber, imenovani Helmut. 

2. korak: Grobo skulpturno oblikovanje

S pomočjo digitalnega računalniškega modeliranja so bile skice pretvorjene v tridimenzionalen prikaz. Na tej stopnji je bilo mogoče preizkušati različne poze in izraze, dokler ni bila najdena popolna poza.

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!