Zebra Amai

Unii cred că dungile le permit zebrelor să-și controleze temperatura sub soarele dogoritor al Africii, în vreme ce studii recente sugerează că ele au rol de protecție împotriva insectelor: muștele tentate să se așeze pe spinarea zebrelor sunt păcălite de modelul dungat. 

Alții sunt de părere că, în timpul mișcării, dungile albe și negre provoacă un „efect de nălucă” cu rolul de a deruta prădătorii zebrei, mulți dintre aceștia fiind incapabili să discearnă culorile. Efectul poate deghiza viteza și direcția de deplasare a animalului, ajutându-l, în același timp, să se camufleze atunci când se află în grupuri mari. În mod interesant, acest fenomen a contribuit la asemănarea unui grup de zebre cu o „nălucă”, ceea ce le transformă în candidate excelente pentru a fi reimaginate sub formă de cristale Swarovski. La fel ca elegantele făpturi ale savanei africane, ediția anuală SCS 2021 a Zebrei Amai fascinează privirea oricui.

Designerul inovator Heinz Tabertshofer a acceptat provocarea de a transpune blana distinct dungată a zebrei într-un cristal Swarovski. Iată procesul pe care l-a urmat pentru a recrea în limbajul Swarovski una dintre creațiile iconice ale naturii:

Step 1: Research and sketches

Heinz began by researching the animal and its natural habitat before visiting the Evelyn Haim-Swarovski equine farm – and its two zebra residents. This gave Heinz the opportunity to study the animals a little closer and in real life. In the end, the SCS Zebra Amai is largely based on one of the local zebras called Helmut. 

Step 2: Rough sculptural modeling

Using digital computer modeling, the sketches were converted into a three-dimensional representation. At this stage, different stances and expressions could be experimented with until the perfect pose was found.

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!