550-Pound Swarovski Star Tops Christmas Tree

     The Rockefeller Center Christmas tree was lit on November 28 and topped with a 550-pound Swarovski crystal star.  The tradition of the Rockefeller Center tree began in 1933 and this is the ninth year that a Swarovski star has topped the tree.

     German artist and architect Michael Hammers designed this year's 550-pound, nine-and-a-half-foot star, which consists of 25,000 individual crystals enclosed by shatterproof glass.  He worked with a team of more than 15 professionals including, designers, engineers, light consultants, and builders to complete the finished product.  The 2012 star features the most energy-efficient LED technology to date and a state-of-the-art computer program, creating a stunning, twinkling effect through customized light sequencing.  It takes 720 energy-efficient LED bulbs on 3,000 feet of wire to illuminate the star.

     On November 20th, the star was raised to the top of the 80-foot spruce in Rockefeller Center by a crane.  The tree will remain on view until January 7th.