Mar 022015
 

In September 2014, WBRBOnline added features to the Swarovski Database that has over 3300 items in it.  The new functionality in the software allows subscribers to record and keep their inventory of their Swarovski crystal collection.

Swarovski Software using WBRBOnline Swarovski Database

Swarovski Software using WBRB Swarovski Database

Warner’s Blue Ribbon Books on Swarovski Crystal has been annually publishing books on Swarovski figurines for over 20 years!  Their online counterpart, http://www.wbrb.com/, allows subscribers to access the very same Swarovski factual information as their printed books for a fraction of the price.  Users may view a plethora of information on current and retired Swarovski figurines:  Swarovski Name, Swarovski Part Number, Swarovski System Number, Swarovski Designer, MSRP, ERV (better known as the Swarovski Value for insurance purposes), dimensions, Swarovski Introduction Date, Status (year retired or current), which Swarovski Logos are on the figurine, and a paragraph of information on the crystal piece.

In the recent enhancements, Warner’s Blue Ribbon Books added new functionality to the site that should be pleasing to Swarovski collectors looking for an all-inclusive solution to inventory their Swarovski figurines. This has been welcomed by many former Star Track Software users, who found their Swarovski software was no longer being updated or supported as of 2009.  Just like Star Track Software, users can add custom figurines and over-ride the ERV for their insurance values.  The WBRB Swarovski Software also allows users to download a text file that can be used with programs like MS Excel to format data to their liking for a printed report.  A complete Swarovski Software Demo can be found on the WBRB web site.

This is wonderful news for Swarovski crystal fanatics who might be missing Star Track Software.  This may just be the time to get a Swarovski Software subscription and get your inventory updated!



Jun 092011
 

Ever wanted to know more about early Swarovski crystal released?  Seeking Swarovski pictures, release and retirement dates?  The Swarovski Wall of Fame, right on the Swarovski web site, may be insightful to any Swarovski crystal collector.

To begin with, the Swarovski Wall of Fame is organized by the ‘year of introduction’.  The first year of any Swarovski crystal figurine documented in the Wall of Fame is 1976, and naturally, all years through 2011 have an entry in the Wall of Fame.  In 1976, the inaugural year of the Silver Crystal product line, the majority of the Swarovski figurines were candleholders, mouse (2 sizes), hedgehog, (2 sizes), and several paperweights.

Swarovski crystal figurines included in the Wall of Fame detail:  Swarovski figurine name, year of introduction, year of retirement, Swarovski part number or system number (not both), and Swarovski Designer.  Product sizes / dimensions are not included.  Candleholder names (associating a particular candleholder to a Swarovski part number) are not included for early releases.

So what else should you know about the Swarovski Wall of Fame?  USA only issues will not be found here…for example, the Gold Bee, or the King Hedgehog.  The various colors of Swarovski paperweights  are not found, only the shape.  Variations of figurines are also not documented, i.e. the different tail styles of the Large Cat.

Swarovski SCS members have 2 more added benefits to using the Wall of Fame.  SCS members can also keep a virtual inventory of their personal collection.  When using this feature, collectors may add pieces to any of 5 configurable collections.  The platform allows collectors to save the purchase price and 100-character note with the figurine information.  The platform does not allow for duplicates (i.e. you want to add 2 Swarovski Charming Mos), so that is something that could be included in the note field.  SCS members have the ability to print their collection(s).  The printed collection includes a figurine photo, name, years available, identification number, collection name assigned to it, acquisition price, and any personal note for the item.

The platform also allows SCS members to create a screensaver that features the Swarovski figurines saved to a collection.  (While this did indeed sound interesting to me, I did not wish to experiment with it, to then have to restore my desktop or screen saver to my present settings.)

Other internet resources that include Swarovski crystal figurine details include RetiredSwarovski.com and WBRBOnline.com.  RetiredSwarovski.com includes many products lines (not just the Silver Crystal and Christmas Ornament lines like the Wall of Fame).  The fact sheets on the site are FREE and printable.  Swarovski Crystal product information on the free fact sheet includes: Swarovski Name, Swarovski Part Number and System Number, Swarovski Designer, Year Introduced, Year Retired, and a small photo of the Swarovski figurine.  RetiredSwarovski.com does not feature current products…only Swarovski crystal that is retiring soon or has retired.  It also does not have any features to allow personal collections to be saved.

WBRBOnline.com has many products across all product lines, over 2800 as of May, 2011.  It includes current and retired products. It also includes USA only Swarovski figurines and variations of figurines.  The FREE data included in the Swarovski crystal product search are: Name, Part Number, System Number, Swarovski Designer, Status (Current or Retired), and Theme Group.  A subscription to the Swarovski Database is required in order to view the crystal dimensions, year introduced, year retired, original MSR price, Swarovski Value (ERV), Swarovski Logo, brief description, and Swarovski Photo.  It also does not have any features to allow personal collections to be saved.

All these resources will be helpful to Swarovski crystal collectors looking for information on figurines produced 1976 through present.  Happy Swarovski crystal collecting!



Apr 112011
 

The Swarovski Database by Warner’s Blue Ribbon Books on Swarovski has been fully updated to correspond to their 2011 publications:  Warner’s Blue Ribbon Book on Swarovski Silver Crystal and Warner’s Blue Ribbon Book: Beyond Silver Crystal.

For 2011, there are over 150 new products and Swarovski pictures added since the 2010 database updates. Warner’s Blue Ribbon Books on Swarovski completed their research for their 2011 printed Swarovski books in January 2011, so the 2011 Swarovski ERVs are current.

The Swarovski Database encompasses both publications by the Warner’s.  The database has over 2900 Swarovski figurines which can be accessed for FREE.  The free queries have limited information for the items in the database.  To have complete access viewing Swarovski pictures and replacement Swarovski Value(ERV), users must purchase a subscription to the database and it encompasses all figurines in both Swarovski publications.

The subscriptions are very convenient, in that Swarovski crystal pictures and statistics are available 24/7 at a collector’s fingertips, at home or anywhere in the world where internet access is available.  The database at the site can be viewed via iPad, laptop, or computer at home.



Jan 202011
 

The Swarovski Database by Warner’s Blue Ribbon Books on Swarovski has a few new figurines added since the first of the year.  Tom and Jane Warner, the database owners, believed Swarovski crystal collectors would want to have access to the newest SCS member issues that will also be in the next Swarovski book release.

Among the Swarovski figurines in the database are:
  • 2011 Siku Polar Bear, Crystal Moonlight
  • 2011 Polar Bear Cubs, Crystal Moonlight
  • 2011 Polar Bear Cubs, White Opal
  • 2011 Arctic Flower Pendant
  • 2011 SCS Arctic Flower Pierced Earrings
  • 2011 SCS Arctic Flower Bracelet
  • 2011 SCS Arctic Flower Ballpoint pen (with the small Arctic Flower charm)
  • 2011 Arctic Flower Window Ornament (new member and renewal gift)

Warner’s Blue Ribbon Books on Swarovski is diligently working on update information for their 2011 printed Swarovski books. Research for the 2011 Swarovski Value (ERVs) is being conducted this month.  Also, all the 2010 Swarovski crystal introductions are being added to the books, as well as a few 2011 introductions.  Once the spiral books have gone to print, Warner’s will begin updating the online Swarovski Database which is hosted at http://www.wbrbonline.com/ .

This Swarovski Database has over 2800 Swarovski figurines which can be accessed totally FREE.  The free queries have limited information for the items.  To view pictures and complete information, Swarovski collectors can purchase a one year subscription to the database.

Swarovski Database sample page at http://www.wbrbonline.com/
One of the nice features about purchasing a subscription is that current Swarovski crystal pictures and statistics are available 24/7 at a collector’s fingertips, at home or anywhere in the world.  The site can be viewed via iPad, laptop, or computer at home.



Jan 112011
 

Recently, I learned that you can view the Swarovski Database of Crystal by Warner’s Blue Ribbon Books on the iPad!

Warner’s Blue Ribbon Books on Swarovski Crystal has been publishing books on Swarovski figurines since 1994.  In 2000, they put their Swarovski Database online at http://www.wbrbonline.com/  and incorporated it into a subscription-based service that allows Swarovski Crystal collector users to run queries to access the same information as their printed books at virtually half the cost.  Subscribers can view Swarovski Name, Swarovski Part Number, Swarovski System Number, Swarovski Designer, MSRP, ERV (better known as the Swarovski Value for insurance purposes), dimensions, Swarovski Introduction Date, Status (year retired or current), which Swarovski Logos are on the figurine, and a paragraph of information on the crystal piece.

Within the past month, Warner’s Blue Ribbon Books has put their online subscription services to the test on one of the newest computing platforms available….the Apple iPad.  The web site passed with flying colors.  Users found the WBRBOnline subscription service to the Swarovski database to be easy to use and easy to view.  Using the iPad to view the database of 2800+ Swarovski figurines was just like using the computer, but the benefits of having the iPad meant that the Swarovski database is available for use anywhere there is an internet connection!  I would imagine that the same may hold true for ‘smart phones’, but do think that the smaller screens on phones could provide challenges with reading the smaller text.

Swarovski Database available at http://www.wbrbonline.com/

This is great news for Swarovski crystal fanatics who may have gotten the Apple iPad for Christmas.  If not, perhaps this new information is enough to justify purchasing a new toy….the Apple iPad.