This weekend, there was a Hot Air Balloon event (Ohio Challenge) here in my local community. Hot air balloons are beautiful, elegant, peaceful.. For the balloon pilots, this is an event, a challenge, a competition. Regardless of your roll, I think hot air balloons bring on excitement for people of all ages.
Years ago, our favorite crystal brand made hot air balloons in the Swarovski Trimlite product line. There were 8 different combinations of Trimlite Balloon products under 4 different Swarovski-assigned part numbers. The Swarovski hot air balloons were available in 2 different sizes: 3″ in height and 3.5″ in height. The Swarovski hot air balloons were available with 2 different metal finishes: gold colored and silver colored. Swarovski hot air balloons were available in 2 different crystal colors: crystal cal (more or less clear) and vitrail medium (more or less fuscia pink)
The size (3″ or 3.5″ tall) is NOT distinguishable from the part number. The Swarovski Trimlite product numbers were assigned as follows:
- 72403 – Trimlite Hot Air Balloon with gold colored accents and Crystal Cal balloon.
- 72404 – Trimlite Hot Air Balloon with gold colored accents and Vitrail Medium balloon.
- 72405 – Trimlite Hot Air Balloon with silver colored accents and Crystal Cal balloon.
- 72406 – Trimlite Hot Air Balloon with silver colored accents and Vitrail Medium balloon.
All eight Swarovski Trimlite Hot Air Balloons were introduced in 1982 and retired in 1986. The Trimlite Balloon figurines were part of the “Boutiques” group. The 3″ hot air balloons retailed for $50 USD. The 3.5″ hot air balloons retailed for $80 USD each.
The Swarovski logo on these crystal figurines was NOT the traditional Block SC or Swan logo. This is because they were not in the Silver Crystal product line…they were in the Trimlite product line. The Trimlite logo is the letter “T”, and is likely stamped into the metal of the Swarovski figurine, not on the crystal as is usually done now. It is very possible that a logo may not be found on the Trimlite balloon at all. Use care when purchasing crystal hot air balloons and check with reputable sources, like Crystal Exchange America or Warner’s Blue Ribbon Books on Swarovski, to ensure your are getting an authentic product if that is a major concern of the purchase.
Crystal Exchange America presently has 4 of the 8 Trimlite Hot Air Balloon figurines offered on their site, ranging in price $280 – $300. They can be found in “Vintage Swarovski” category, “Trimlite and Zales” sub-category of the store
Angie / Crystal Exchange America
Swarovski crystal figurines are available at Crystal Exchange America, a professional brokerage service of 25 years, dedicated to helping Swarovski collectors buy and sell retired Swarovski crystal figurines, ornaments, and collectibles.
Crystal Exchange America is reputable, knowledgeable, and has a world-wide customer base with thousands of satisfied customers. Swarovski crystal fanatics can go to www.CrystalExchange.com to obtain more information about safely listing, buying, and selling retired Swarovski, limited edition Swarovski, Swarovski Silver Crystal, and Swarovski crystal figurines.