To Swarovski Crystal Fanatics… Happy Mother’s Day from the Kristall Buzz

May 082011
 

Happy Mother’s Day to Swarovski collecting crystal fanatics around the world!  May all Moms, Grandmothers, and Mothers-to-be have a delightful day!

I recently found this charming tale and thought today was the perfect day to remember the youthful innocence of kids….

A mother and her young son returned from the grocery store and began putting away the groceries. The boy opened the box of animal crackers and spread them all over the table. “What are you doing?” his mother asked. “The box says you can’t eat them if the seal is broken,” the boy explained. “Therefore I’m looking for the seal”, he cutely said.

Speaking of seals, 2011 is the twentieth anniversary of the Swarovski AE Seals.   The Swarovski Seals, were the Swarovski SCS Annual Edition crystal figurine for 1991, designed by Michael Stamey.  In 1991, they retailed for $225.  At present, the secondary market price is $375 to $500 for the Swarovski Seals in mint condition with original box and certificate.

The Swarovski Seals were the 2nd crystal figurine in the Swarovski Mother and Child series.  The Mother and Child series, which includes the Lead Me Dolphins, Save Me Seals, and Care For Me Whales, was the only Swarovski SCS trilogy to be designed by a single designer.

In addition to the Save Me Seals, the crystal brand produced other Swarovski Seals:

Hopefully your Seal is not broken!  But if are looking for a Swarovski Crystal Seal, Crystal Exchange America does have a large selection available.  Simply visit the Crystal Exchange America web site at http://www.crystalexchange.com/  and look in the ‘Sea Life’ category or search for the term ‘Seal’ in the search box.



Swarovski Aura Perfume in Swarovski SCS Magazine

May 072011
 

My Swarovski magazine arrived about a week ago, and yesterday I found the time to open and read it.  This is the 2nd edition of 2011 with a picture of the Swarovski NLE Bald Eagle on the front of it.  About halfway thru the magazine was an article / 4 page ad about the “Aura by Swarovski” perfume.

The article is an interview with family member Markus Langes-Swarovski, who is a member of the Swarovski board.  He goes into some detail about ‘bringing the brand to life beyond crystal’ and how this was a vision that the original Swarovski generations would approve of.

Swarovski and the Clarins Fragrance Group entered into a relationship in 2003 that would ultimately allow the vision to become a reality.  In 2011, this magical launch would finally come to pass.  This introduction of Aura included Fragrance bottles filled with pink Aura perfume, a Make-Up Jewel containing lip gloss or balm, and shimmering body cream.

Of course, by now, Swarovski is hosting a web site specifically for this new product line.  The web site is www.SwarovskiBeauty.com. In addition to the above mentioned products, the web site also mentions perfumed shower gel and perfumed deodorant spray.

Curious about the Aura scent?  Great news for Swarovski crystal collectors, there is a sample inside the magazine!  If for some reason your magazine has not arrived, it appears that web site surfers (of SwarovskiBeauty.com) can request a free sample of the perfume (for certain countries).

The Swarovski magazine indicates that Aura will be available at selective perfumeries, department stores, and Swarovski Boutiques.  I’ve looked around on the internet and not found it available anywhere in the USA.  When I tried to find prices for the various product offerings, I did not find them listed in USD.

The Swarovski Aura bottles are made of glass and metal, topped with asymmetrical Swarovski crystalcomponents attached to the bottle.  The Swarovski Aura perfume inside is pink in color.

I’ve written several other postings on the Kristall Buzz about this new perfume:

I’ll post an update with store names or boutiques once I can confirm that it can be purchased or shipped within the USA.



Swarovski Swanflower – Swarovski Logo Becomes More Prominent

May 062011
 

When I wrote the articles about the Swarovski Mini Cooper and found pictures of it, I recall the the design being called the Swarovski Swanflower.  It consisted of four different sized Swarovski swans, sort of connected at the base of the neck, to create a flower like illusion.

Swarovski Swanflower decorations on the Swarovski Mini Cooper

Little did I know at the time, the Swarovski Swanflower was a design that the crystal brand trademarked in 2008.  On the Swarovski web site, the crystal giant announced that the Swanflower would be the new Swarovski logo in a 2008 article.

Swarovski Sunflower design on the Swarovski Monogram Cuff

While Swarovski continues to use the familiar swan on Swarovski crystal figurines, the Swarovski Swanflower can be found in various retired jewelry designs.

  • Swarovski Swanflower pendant
  • Swarovski Swanflower keyring
I was curious to see which feature Swarovski products included ‘Swanflower’ on their Swarovski corporate site.  41 items appeared in the search results.  Among the Swarovski Swanflower product designs, I found:

I’m wondering if this Swarovski Swanflower design will remain prominent in the jewelry and accessories lines or if perhaps we will ever see this Swarovski Logo on the crystal figurine products.



Swarovski Lovlots City Park Video on YouTube

May 052011
 

In the past, I have posted links to Swarovski Videos on YouTube.  Still not posted to the KristallBuzz was the Swarovski City Park Video with the cartoonish Lovlots critters.  The Swarovski Lovlots City Park group was released in 2010.  Swarovski City Park critters include:

  • Swarovski Bella (Rabbit)
  • Swarovski Duke (Duck)
  • Swarovski Gracy (Squirrel)
  • Swarovski Lily & Luke (Ducks)
  • Swarovski Max (Fox)
  • Swarovski Nick (Hedgehog) – retiring 2011
  • Swarovski Romeo (Frog)
  • Swarovski Spike (Hedgehog) – retiring 2011
  • Swarovski Ted (Bear)
  • Swarovski Ziggy, Limited Edition (Woodpecker) – retired in 2010

Crystal Exchange America has a lot of information on all the Swarovski Lovlots groups on their site.
They also have many of the retired Swarovski Crystal Lovlots available for purchase on their web site in the ‘Lovlots and Zodiac’ category: http://www.crystalexchange.com/c-ZOD.html .



Swarovski Disney – ‘Pirates of the Caribbean’ Jewelry Collaboration

May 042011
 

The Disney movie Pirates of the Caribbean on Stranger Tides is opening in theatres on May 20, 2011.
As Swarovski Disney is a longstanding relationship featuring Disney characters in Swarovski figurines, it is no surprise that the crystal giant is launching jewelry accessories for the Pirates of the Caribbean movie.

I found 22 jewelry accessories, for both men and women, on the Swarovski site, specifically launched for the Pirates of the Caribbean collection.   All the official Swarovski product names include the phrase ‘Adventurous Pirates’.  Adventurous Pirates jewelry includes:  13 necklaces / pendants, 4 bracelets, 3 Pierced Earrings, and 3 Rings. The price range is $85 to $250, depending on the item.  I was a bit intrigued to see that some of the Adventure Pirates jewelry are releasing ‘online limited editions exclusives’.

I came across a cool interactive site showing the various themes within the Adventurous Pirates: High Sea, Black Pearl, Angelica, and Skulls and Swords.
The Swarovski Pirates of the Caribbean press release is available for the complete story.
Prior to the Pirates of the Caribbean collection, the crystal brand had created the Swarovski Alice in Wonderland jewelry accessories in March, 2010.



Swarovski Lovlots Sunshine Mo, Limited Edition Crystal Cow, ‘Moove’ Date is May 30!

May 032011
 

Today, crystal fanatics all around the world (myself included) received an email from Swarovski announcing that the Swarovski Sunshine Mo will be available for purchase (in 23 countries) beginning  May 30, 2011!

The Sunshine Mo crystal cow looks adorable.  She is a very bright yellow crystal figurine wearing a red and pink flower necklace that resembles a Hawaiian lei.  I still think that Sunshine Mo might make a great sister or cousin for ‘Hula Mo’! (hint, hint Swarovski!)

Swarovski Sunshine Mo, Limited Edition 2011

According to the Swarovski web site, they say that this online limited edition is going to be a rare Swarovski figurine.  This then begs the question….does that mean that Swarovski is producing and releasing a much smaller quantity of Sunshine Mo figurines than her predecessors, sisters, and cousins on the Swarovski Lovlots West End?

Here’s for the introductions of the newbie Mo’s limited edition Lovlots relatives:
  • Swarovski Pinky Mo (LE 2007) – transparent pink cow with solid pink horns and bell
  • Swarovski Alabaster Mo (LE 2007.  production quantity limited to 300); solid pink cow with transparent pink horns and bell
  • Swarovski Soccer Mo (LE 2008) – red cow with white horns and ball (NO bell)
  • Swarovski Flower Mo (LE 2009) – green flowered cow with white horns and bell
  • Swarovski Halloween Mo (LE 2009) – orange cow with black horns and bell
  • Swarovski Country Mos (LE 2010) – spotted cows with matching horns and bell
  • Swarovski Glamour Mos (LE 2010) – golden cow and black cow with white horns (NO bell)
  • Swarovski Charming Mo (LE 2011) pink hearted cow with greyish horns (NO bell)

 

Rare Swarovski Alabaster Mo

Crystal Exchange America has listings for many of the Swarovski Mo Cows and Swarovski Lovlots special editions.  Just visit http://www.crystalexchange.com/ and navigate to the ‘Lovlots and Zodiac’ category in the menu on the left side of the web site.



Swarovski Home Accessories History and Crystal Name Changes

May 012011
 

The Swarovski Home Accessories product line has under gone a number of name changes, since the inception in 1992.

The line was introduced in 1992, as Swarovski Selection.  The initial release was 12 pieces, ranging in price from $325.00 to $995.00.  Some of these Swarovski crystal issues, were limited by the number of pieces Swarovski would produce, believing it would make it more desirable to the collector.  Being failrly simplistic designs, Silver Crystal collectors did not take a fancy to them.  Also, with the price point was on the high side, collectors were indeed selective about what Swarovski Selection figurines were added to their crystal collections.

By 1996, individual Swarovski Selection crystals carried individual numbers on some of the figurines, making each piece distinctive.  This individual numbering system has carried over into 2011, but is now coming to an end.  Even purchasing a pair of flutes, for example, each was marked with an individual number.  (But not all flutes have unique numbers on them.)

In 2002, the product line name changed to Swarovski Crystal Décor.  From 2003 – 2007, the product line was known as Swarovski Crystal Home Accessories.  In 2008 – 2010, it was Swarovski Home & Interior.  Now, in 2011, it is called Swarovski Home Accessories.  While the product line name changes evolved due to times, collector tastes, and other reasons, the constant change does make it more difficult for the collector to keep track of Swarovski product lines offered.

In 2004, Swarovski reassigned some crystal figurines from Silver Crystal to Crystal Home Accessories, probably the most memorable are the Waterlily Candleholders.

There have been numerous theme groups over the years, Mood for Ice was probably the most unique.  Other theme groups included the Jewels collection, Crystal Jewels, Dressed Up, Out of Africa, Op Art, Rainbow, Crystal Leaves, Crystal Celebrations, and Crystalline.  Crystalline is the only theme group still in use today.

Swarovski Home Accessories product literature under older names

Crystal Exchange America has a variety of retired Swarovski Crystal Home Accessories figurines on their web site.  They can be found at http://www.crystalexchange.com/c-CHA.html .



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