Angie / Crystal Exchange America

Several days ago I wrote about a Swarovski Panther figurine that I found on ebay.  The article sparked a good bit of conversation about the authenticity of the panther in the auction.

Summarizing the ebay product description, the seller states that the Swarovski panther is a frosted flocked white (matt), very rare, prototype, about 15 pieces worldwide.

In short, the Swarovski Frosted Panther article here on the Kristall Buzz posed the possibility that the ebay auction panther could be an aftermarket alteration.  The reason is due to the ambiguous terminology in the description frosted and flockedâ.

We have received definitions that the crystal brand themselves would use to describe a flocked figurine and a frosted figurine

• Frosted means the crystal is either sandblasted or treated with an acid liquid both would take away/smoothen the facets slightly.
• Flocked Crystal means that a special textile has been applied/glued to the crystal. It would feel a bit fuzzy/velvety to touch.

So what can be stated as fact in the “panther discussion”?  Flocked Panther authenticity itself has not been debated on the Kristall Buzz..  The Swarovski Flocked Panther is in the Swarovski Eclectic Panther display.

One of our trusted contacts has indicated to me that Swarovski NEVER frosted the panther, so we believe the Frosted Panther to be an aftermarket modification.

The panther authenticity issue stemmed from the use of two terms being used to describe the crystal figurine in the auction:  flocked and frosted.  Really, I don’t believe it can be both flocked and frosted. The applications seem mutually exclusive.  If it is flocked, it would be fuzzy, likely very difficult to clean/remove dust and lint.  If it is frosted, the surface would resemble the Swarovski Apollo Bowl or Swarovski SCS Woodpeckers tree trunk.

Putting this into another perspective, how would one interpret the following hypothetical item description?

For Sale: Swarovski Limited Edition Black Moroda Panther

It would likely be difficult to distinguish the difference in a full-view picture. Would you conclude that it is the Limited Edition Black Panther?  Or would you conclude that the item is the Moroda Panther?

The hypothetical (confusing) description limited edition black moroda panther (to me) is no different than the frosted white flocked panther.  While this article should clear up questions about the differences between frosted and flocked, it is still any seller’s responsibility to accurately describe auction items, hopefully eliminating ambiguity and confusion.  As a Swarovski crystal collector and possible bidder, I still urge people to use caution and do research when considering to bid or purchase any unofficial product, such as prototypes and items that slipped out the back door.

Swarovski has produced 4 different colors of the Soulmates Panthers available for sale to the public:

• Swarovski Panther (Clear), Retired
• Swarovski Black Panther, Limited Edition of 500 (2010)
• Swarovski Moroda Panther, Current
• Swarovski Orange Shine Panther, Limited Edition of 888 (2011)

But just how many Swarovski crystal collectors are fortunate enough to be able to see the Swarovski Eclectic Panther project which is on display in Vienna?  This is an amazing assembly of Swarovski Panther figurines.

Swarovski shows just a few of the panthers from the Moments of Wonder collection on their own web site:   Swarovski Eclectic Panther .  Among the pictures, one shown is a hot pink panther (not one that would match my home décor very well) and a very attractive blackish-silverish, almost chrome-like, panther figurine.  The two photos below are compliments of Swarovski Vienna.

Swarovski’s web site includes:

Constant renewal, change and innovation are some of the maxims of Swarovski: the Eclectic Panther project is the realisation of the fusion of creative minds in the company.

As diverse and variable crystal matter is, so also are the multitude of colours, effects and materials of more than 40 Eclectic Panthers. The high precision cutting technique, one of Swarovski’s core competences, has been newly interpreted and applied to much differing materials such as wood, silicone or concrete.

I hear that the Swarovski Eclectic Panther figurines have some type of special marking on it to indicate it is a part of this unique collection.  It would be interesting to see a close-up image of the marking.

For now, Swarovski collectors can only speculate if the crystal brand might release another Swarovski Panther figurine in 2012 and if so, is it a traditional release or is it a limited edition Swarovski crystal figurine?

During the past couple of weeks, I noticed a Swarovski Soulmate Panther on eBay, which is advertised by the seller to be a very rare prototype.  This particular Swarovski figurine just might raise the eyebrows of Swarovski crystal fanatics wanting more information about it.

It can be very difficult to tell which items are truly Swarovski prototypes, and which items have after-market alterations enhancements and are misrepresented for sellers to make a buck.  The controversy will always remain without official company statements, which I seriously doubt would ever happen.

This press release is about a rare Swarovski Poodle purchased by a Swarovski crystal collector from Crystal Exchange America in October, 2010.  While official Swarovski literature shows the standing poodle with both a frosted tail and a clear tail, some critics still speculate that the crystal brand did not officially produce both the Standing Poodle with clear tail and Standing Poodle with frosted tail.

This press release is about a Swarovski Frosted Mane Lion that is for sale at Crystal Exchange America.  I’m not aware of any official company statement regarding its authenticity.  Having it for sale on our web site, I do get asked my opinion about the authenticity.  I can only say that I really don’t know…the Swarovski Frosted Mane Lion is interesting, and it is attractive.  If the price is right and you like it, buy it.  But I do not recommend a Swarovski collector purchase it with the impression that it is genuine and that it will increase in value, because there is simply no proof at this time to substantiate the claim.

So, now on eBay (a closed auction), is a Swarovski Soulmate Frosted Panther, which the seller claims is a rare prototype, a part of the Eclectic Panther collection, in the Moments of Wonder display at Swarovski Vienna. The seller’s description clearly states ‘frosted flocked white (matte)’.  And that it is ‘very rare’, ‘prototype’, about ’15 pieces worldwide’. What might be actually concluded about the authenticity of the Swarovski Panther from the auction?

• The seller indicated that the Frosted Panther is on display at Swarovski Vienna.  There is a picture of part of the display, but it is impossible to tell if a Swarovski Frosted Panther is actually displayed there.  Why wouldn’t the seller have used a more conclusive photo for proof?
• The seller indicated that it is prototype, with about 15 produced.  One of our trusted contacts has indicated to me that Swarovski NEVER frosted the panther, that the only explanation is that a frosted panther is an after-market alteration.

Swarovski crystal fanatics will have to form their own opinion.  IF this is a fake (aftermarket enhancement), I think it is sad that society has risen to the level of deceit to cash in from altering a fabulous Swarovski design, then misleading the public that the Swarovski company produced it AS IS. And if it is genuine, the seller is going to have to come up with better proof of the statements in the auction…i.e. high quality conclusive photos of the display, perhaps prototype logos, or official company statement.  It will be interesting to follow this figurine through the holidays to see if it does ever sell.  I originally saw it listed and closed unsold for $5500 or best offer.  Several days later, it was relisted and closed unsold for $3950 or best offer.  My recommendation is that everyone should use caution when purchasing crystal advertised as ‘prototypes’, as this could be extremely difficult to substantiate.  Personally, I would even remain leery of crystal figurines that ‘slipped out the back door’, and the like.

I certainly don’t wish to put a damper on anyone’s holiday spirits…I just want to provide some food for thought so that no one ends up with buyer’s remorse about spending a nice chunk of change on what could be a fraudulent figurine (aftermarket enhancement).