A large, beautiful silver snowflake proof, set with pink (really, red) Swarovski crystals - with a very low mintage!

Scientifically speaking, a snowflake is an aggregate of ice crystals that forms while falling in and below a cloud. They are typically hexagonally symmetrical and form only in certain below-freezing temperature atmospheric conditions.

This simple yet dry definition belies the complex splendor of the incredible snowflake, a true miracle of nature. Continuing its wildly popular winter snowflakes from past years, the Royal Canadian Mint has married two of nature's most beautiful and precious minerals, silver and Swarovski crystal, to create this breathtakingly beautiful (and rare!) proof coin! The light refracted by the delicate, luminous crystals enhances the silver snowflake design, proving once again that in high art, form follows function.

For more information about Swarovski Crystals, please see the presentation at the end of this article.

Investment Note

You can't help but desire the Crystal Snowflake Silver Proof! Stunning in its beauty, color, and low mintage, it's a sure keeper! What's not to like?
    * It is embedded with seven Swarovski crystals - six colored, with a transparent one in the center.
    * It is minted in 99.99% pure silver!
    * It has a high face value of $20!
* Most importantly, the mintage limit of only 7,500 is not only very small by silver coin standards, it also means that no more than that number of people in the entire world can ever own it!
* Previous Canadian silver proofs with a mintage of under 10,000 (including the 2009 Autumn Showers Crystal Raindrop, which also has a Swarovski Crystal embedded in it) have sold out at the mint virtually instantly, so we recommend not delaying if you want to make this beauty yours.

Technology Note

The Royal Canadian Mint refines the purest silver in the world. The RCM is also the only mint in the world to issue commemorative coins in a .9999 fineness. This one ounce silver coin is 99.99% pure!

Obverse

The obverse is well-utilized with an intricately-engraved, full-face image of a delicate snowflake, which glitters with the seven Swarovski crystals set in it. The date is also indicated.

Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth II, in profile facing right. This portrait, the fourth effigy of the queen to appear on Canadian Coinage, was executed by the artist Susanna Blunt. The legend ELIZABETH II and denomination also appear.

Packaging

The coin is encapsulated inside a burgundy leatherette, clamshell-style presentation case, lined with black velvet and protected by a black outer box. An individually-numbered certificate of authenticity is included.

Swarovski Crystal
Swarovski is the luxury brand name for the range of precision-cut crystal glass products produced by the privately-owned company Swarovski AG of Feldmeilen, Austria (near Zürich, Switzerland). Swarovski crystal was born when a Bohemian, Daniel Swarovski, invented an automatic cutting machine in 1892. In 1895 the Swarovski company was founded when he established a crystal cutting factory in Wattens (near Innsbruck, Tyrol, Austria). Here he could take advantage of local hydroelectricity for the energy-intensive grinding processes he had patented.

Swarovski crystal contains approximately 32% lead to maximize refraction. The Swarovski Crystal firm produces a wide range range of products, but is world-renowned for the incredible quality and brilliance of its crystal jewelry.

In order to create a crystal that allows light to refract in a rainbow spectrum, Swarovski coats some of its crystals with special metallic chemical coatings. For example, Aurora Borealis, or "AB", is one of the most popular coatings, and gives the surface a rainbow oil slick appearance. Recent developments include the 2004 release of a new, patented cut, Xilion, designed to optimize the brilliance of roses (crystal components with flat backs) and chatons (diamond-cut crystals).