We've all had some encounter with Swarovski, whether you're a collector or simply familiar with their designs. But how much do you know about the history and rise of this billion dollar brand? If you already knew that their logo wasn't always a swan, you're off to a good start. Test your knowledge and follow the rise of Swarovski with these 10 fun facts!
1. The Swarovski brand is over a century old
The
Swarovski company was founded in 1895 in Austria by Daniel Swarovski and partners. This was years after Daniel started his first business in jewellery (“A. Kosman, Daniel Swarovski & Co”), married his partner’s sister (Marie Weis) with whom he had three sons, and registers a patent for a machine that can cut crystal to perfection. All these events contributed to the future success of the Swarovski company.
2. The first logo was an Edelweiss
In 1899 Swarovski starts using an Edelweiss flower as logo; symbolising Austria, alpinism and purity. The block SC logo was used from 1976 to 1988, after which Swarovski decided to continue with the now infamous swan logo. Although vintage crystal with either one of these logo’s is valuable, some collectors are “Swan seekers” and others prefer the block SC logo. There are even some pieces on which you cannot find any logo, but are still genuine Swarovski.
3. The fashion world made Swarovski world-famous
The Swarovski company did well from the start, with the exception of the World War 1 period naturally. But when the economy flourished in the Golden Twenties, Swarovski became a big player in the fashion world, making the company increasingly famous through the years. Among the fashion icons Swarovski worked with were Balenciaga, Coco Chanel and Christian Dior
Photo Credits:Marion Golsteijn
4. Swarovski crystals are often used in costuming
In many Hollywood movies you find Swarovski crystals sparkling alongside famous actresses. You can see Swarovski diamond earrings on Marilyn Monroe in 'Gentlemen Prefer Blondes', for example. And what to think of Sarah Jessica Parker’s shiny shimmering dress in 'Sex in the City'? Audrey Hepburn too is still associated with Swarovski jewellery.
5. The Aurora Borealis effect is a type of crystal
In 1956 a collaboration between Christian Dior and Swarovski resulted in a very special type of crystal jewellery. One of Daniel Swarovski’s sons, Manfred, created a micro-thin layer of vaporised blue metal to coat crystals with. The effect of the rainbow-like refracted lights was named after the Aurora Borealis, or the Northern Lights. It was an instant success.
6. They are also famous for their binoculars
Being a specialist in glass, the Swarovski company has not kept its work limited to jewellery. Swarovski Optik produces optical instruments and they are the 'diamonds' amongbinoculars and telescopes.
7. You can decorate a palace with Swarovski
In the Swarovski Palace collection you'll find classic lighting, art and design decorated with crystals. Special enough to be a part of the interior of a palace, whilst still respecting the classic traditions of chandeliers etc.
8. The Rockefeller Christmas Tree Star is Swarovski’s
For 13 years now, Swarovski has designed the star that glitters on top of the Rockefeller Christmas Tree in New York. It has become an iconic part of New York’s holiday traditions. Last year the star weighed 550 pounds, contained 25,000 crystals and measured over 9.5 feet in diameter.
Photo Credit: CC BY / Visual hunt via Anthony Quintano
9. The founder’s principles are still respected
One of the reasons the Swarovski company is still so successful is because they hold on to the traditional values and vision of Daniel Swarovksi Ι, who passed away in 1956. These include excellence in quality, innovation, and a desire to create products of great beauty. There are even fifth generation Swarovski family members in management positions and the company is still family owned.
10. Swarovski's success
Swarovski has about 2,800 stores in 170 countries. Over 27,000 people work for the brand and in 2016 Swarovski made a profit of €2.6 billion.
Do your eyes sparkle when you see a Swarovski statue or crystal earrings? We have a special weeklySwarovski auction where you can find vintage and more recent items to shine and glitter in your home. You can also register here to become a seller at Catawiki and put a piece from your own collection up for auction.
FAQs
Swarovski figurines can also be expensive due to the brand's fondness for creating limited edition or country-specific items; once certain figurines are retired from general circulation, their resale prices tend to soar substantially.
Do Swarovski figurines increase in value? ›
Swarovski figurines can also be expensive due to the brand's fondness for creating limited edition or country-specific items; once certain figurines are retired from general circulation, their resale prices tend to soar substantially.
What is the big deal with Swarovski? ›
Swarovski produces crystals of the finest quality. The company's name has become synonymous with genuine crystal. Swarovski's specialized manufacturing processes, together with the highest quality raw materials, guarantee the highest possible degree of precision, component quality, consistency and unmatched brilliance.
How to spot a fake Swarovski bracelet? ›
One of the simplest ways to verify your Swarovski crystal's authenticity is by looking for the company's logo. Initially, the brand used the edelweiss flower, but it was replaced by the Swan logo in 1989, and later by the Swan logo combined with the letters 'SCS' in 2021.
What are some facts about Swarovski Jewellery? ›
Swarovski delivers a diverse portfolio of unmatched quality, craftsmanship, and creativity. Founded in 1895 in Austria, the company designs, manufactures and markets high-quality crystals, genuine gemstones and created stones as well as finished products such as jewelry, accessories and lighting.
Is there a resale value for Swarovski? ›
Popular ones can go for more than the original MSRP, but in general they seem to sell for less than original MSRP. As they are displayed carefully, and made of durable glass, used Swarovski crystal seldom shows wear or is in less than excellent condition, unless broken or the original packaging has been lost.
Is Swarovski jewelry an investment? ›
In conclusion, Swarovski jewelry is much more than just a fashion accessory – it's a timeless investment that embodies quality, craftsmanship, and beauty.
Why can't I buy Swarovski crystals? ›
Back in October 2021, Swarovski made the decision to limit who would be allowed to purchase, sell and use their crystal components. Since then, suppliers of Swarovski components, which include flatback crystals, pearls, beads, fancy stones etc, have been selling what they had left, unable to re-stock.
Why did Swarovski go out of business? ›
Unfortunately they believe having large volumes of loose Swarovski components in the marketplace is not in their strategic plans for future of their brand and is impacting their high-end finished goods market. SWAROVSKI IS NOT CLOSING DOWN – They are restructuring and refocusing their business.
Who is Swarovski biggest competitor? ›
Swarovski competitors include Cartier and Tiffany & Co. Swarovski ranks 1st in Employee Net Promoter Score on Comparably vs its competitors.
The quality of Swarovski and Pandora is comparable. Both are high-quality, have durable materials, attractive designs, and well-made jewelry. However, the items of Pandora are more sold and more loved by people which might be due to their designs, customization options, affordability, and easy availability.
Is Swarovski made in China? ›
Made in China. I called Swarovski to confirm it wasn't fake - and it is not. He said the crystals and design, materials etc are all from Austria but they contract out to China and several other countries for assembly.
Why is Swarovski so expensive? ›
The primary factor contributing to the cost of Swarovski crystals is the precision cutting technique developed by Daniel Swarovski in 1892. This patented cutting machine allowed for a level of accuracy that was unprecedented at the time, creating crystals that closely resemble diamonds.
Is Swarovski real gold or silver? ›
The metal parts are mostly gold- and rhodium-plated. In some cases also palladium-plated and with PVD-coated base metal. Swarovski gold jewellery is plated using 23k gold. It is designed with pale yellow gold that has a lustrous, bright and attractive shine.
Why do people love Swarovski? ›
Swarovski crystals are known for their exceptional quality and precision cutting, which result in a high degree of clarity and brilliance. The precision and consistency in cutting create a uniformity and sparkle that is distinctive.
Can I wear Swarovski everyday? ›
Wearing Swarovski Rings at Home
But there are plenty of simple, smaller designs perfect for everyday at-home wear. While the composition of gold-filled and sterling silver ring designs withstand daily wear-and-tear, Swarovski crystals are best kept away from water.
Does Swarovski keep value? ›
Limited edition Swarovski pieces will hold its value better, but still it depends on the market and the demand. Limited edition Swarovski pieces will hold its value better, but still, it depends on the market and the demand.
Is Swarovski actually valuable? ›
Swarovski crystals are non-precious lead glass meaning that the intrinsic value of the material is not very high. They do have a valuable brand name, however, which causes them to have higher prices compared to other crystal suppliers.
What is the best way to sell Swarovski? ›
There are many places to sell Swarovski crystals online and in physical stores, which can make it hard to figure out where to sell Swarovski crystal figurines. Some of the most popular online marketplaces for Swarovski crystals include digital auction houses and antique dealers.
Does Swarovski depreciate? ›
Condition. Typically, only broken, chipped crystals decrease in value – though this scenario is exceedingly rare. Swarovski crystal pendants, beads, and flat back stones are made of extremely durable glass. With the rare exception of occasional glue discoloration in some older pieces, they rarely show signs of aging.
