Feb 222013
 

Swarovski is all about innovative ideas to engage crystal fanatics in social media, online experiences, and games on phones and electronic devices.

Swarovski Passport to Sparkle for Crystal Fanatics!

Swarovski Passport to Sparkle

Keeping that in mind, Swarovski US is introducing a new rewards program.  It is the Swarovski Passport to Sparkle.  Some SCS collectors may have already received “passport” in the mail, while others will need to visit their local Swarovski boutique.  Once the Swarovski passport is in hand, you need to register it at the Swarovski boutique.  Special events will be going on in the months ahead, and the boutiques have special ‘stamps’ to mark your passport.

Good news for participants, the first level of reward is 6 stamps, the second is 10 stamps.  Prizes are awarded monthly, with the grand prize a trip to Rio de Janerio.  Who wouldn’t want to win that!
The crystal giant has created a micro-site to detail the adventure… Swarovski Passport to Sparkle.
The home page also lists how to get started, explains the various Jet Setter gifts, and highlights prizes and destinations.  There are so many different aspects of the adventure that is well worth your time to visit all the areas of the site.

The requirements to participate are minimal: no purchase is necessary, but you must be a legal resident of the US, Washington DC or Puerto Rico and at least 21 years of age.  (And naturally, the full set of rules is available at the micro-site.)

You can follow Emma on her travels in her travel blog, beginning in Paris.

Only a limited number of passports were made, so if this peaks your interest…you may want to contact your local Swarovski boutique soon!  Best of luck to all Swarovski fanatics getting involved in this contest!



Feb 112013
 

Swarovski is constantly creating and inventing new colors.  While some colors may be ‘colored crystal’, other colors may be coatings applied to the surface are of crystal components.

Remember the Swarovski Paperweights?  They were neither colored crystal, nor coatings applied to the surface area.  The Swarovski Paperweights were colored using a special technique where the color was applied to the base, prior to felt being applied.

Swarovski Paperweights in Different Shapes and Colors

Various Swarovski Paperweights: Pyramids, Atomic, Barrel, Egg and Cone Rio.

As we get so many questions about the various colors, there is now a new page on the Crystal Exchange America web site to explain some of the colors, as well as the different shapes that Swarovski Paperweights were available in.

As many crystal fanatics know, the huge price variation has to do with shape, color, and how rare or common the shape and color combination are.

If you are looking for a particular Swarovski paperweight shape, check out the Swarovski Paperweights presently available in the online store.



Feb 062013
 

Last year we heard rumors of reorganization of the product lines that they classify crystal figures into.  Examples of such product lines include Silver Crystal, Crystal Moments, Lovlots, Soulmates, and so forth.  But now, in 2013, some of those very well known names are a part of history as new product line names have officially rolled out.

There are 4 main product lines: Swarovski Symbols, Swarovski Characters, Swarovski Nature, and Swarovski Art and Statement.  There are further groupings within each of the crystal product lines.

What has to be the biggest surprise is the disappearance of the Silver Crystal name that Swarovski has become so famous for, and even trademarked.  Silver Crystal is now Crystal Nature.  Crystal Paradise has been replaced with Mother Nature.  And Soulmates has been replaced with Contemporary Nature.  These 3 groups: Swarovski Crystal Nature, Swarovski Mother Nature, and Swarovski Contemporary Nature, comprise the product line Swarovski Nature.

Swarovski Characters is a product line that is easier to decipher and understand.  Swarovski Characters consists of: Swarovski Disney figurines, Swarovski Hello Kitty figurines, and all the Swarovski Lovlots figurines.  The Lovlots group consists of: Limited Edition Mos, Emotis, Kris Bears, Bo Bears, Happy Ducks, and the families of Lovlots Pioneers, Lovlots Gang of dogs, Lovlots House of Cats, Lovlots City Park, Lovlots Circus, Lovlots Sealife, Lovlots Birds on Broadway, and new in 2013, the Lovlots Dinosaurs and Lovlots Erika and Elliot.

Swarovski Symbols seems to be more of a catch-all group for the balance of the more affordable crystal offerings.  The symbols group features 3 groups that seem fairly self explanatory:  Universal Symbols (formerly known as crystal moments), Seasonal Symbols (where it seems Swarovski is going to separate offerings that go with spring/Easter, and Christmas), and lastly Asian Symbols (for ornaments and zodiac figurines).

Swarovski Art & Statement to me, simply means things I cannot afford!  The only group in this product line is crystal myriad.  Swarovski is also using this group for other numbered limited editions.

Swarovski discusses this more in the SCS member magazine that has been recently arriving in mailboxes.  The article is on pages 30-31 in ‘ask Ann-Sophie’.

Part of me is wondering if Swarovski is dropping the term ‘Silver Crystal’ due to the change of Swarovski’s new formula….no lead, no silver?  Or perhaps that was just a coincidence?

So, prepare yourself for changes within publications, web sites, or software to see how they may deal with the changes in the Swarovski product lines!