The Swarovski star is comprised of 25,000 crystals, with 1,000,000 facets, measures 9 1/2 feet in diameter and is 1 1/2 feet deep. Weighing 550 pounds -- including 300 pounds of crystal panels -- it is composed of six outer rays and six smaller inner rays.
The main surfaces of the rays are made of point-mounted safety glass, the same shatter-proof glass that adorns the facades of New York City buildings. The crystals are affixed to the inner sides of the glass in a tight, scale-like pattern to ensure maximum brilliance.
The brand new star that will shine on the top of the 2009 Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree involved some intense labor to create it. A team of nine artisans and engineers spent three months employing a unique combination of art, science and technology to complete the new design.
The team spent 1,200 hours installing, programming and testing the star to ensure the effects would withstand the challenging winter weather conditions 76-feet above Rockefeller Center.
This is the first year that the Swarovski star, which debuted at the top of the Rockefeller Center Christmas tree in 2004, will feature a dazzling, twinkling effect with lights programmed by a computer system.
The Swarovski Star now sits atop the 76-foot-high, 40-foot wide, over 10-ton Norway Spruce from the home of Maria Corti. An exact replica of the Swarovski Star will also be on display in Rockefeller Center to allow visitors the opportunity to get a closer view of this amazing piece of artwork.
Consumers will be able to purchase their own star as Swarovski will offer a selection of holiday jewelry and ornaments on sale at the Swarovski holiday kiosk at Rockefeller Center, at Swarovski boutiques nationwide and online at www.Swarovski.com.
The 77th Rockefeller Center Tree Lighting Ceremony will be held on Wednesday, December 2nd, from 7 P.M.-9 P.M. The two-hour ceremony will be televised live, locally on WNBC-TV from 7 PM-8 PM and nationally on NBC from 8 P.M.-9 P.M.
There are many more exciting holiday events happening in New York City for 2009:
Posted November 18th, 2009 by Cheryl Phillips
