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.

Swarovski Fitness Tracker – a Shiney Partnership with Misfit

It seems that nearly everyone is using fitness trackers these days, measuring their activities as well as their sleep.  There are pros and cons to every device ranging from price, accuracy, battery life, and color.  I found one that is a definite ‘PRO’ in terms of fashion and bling with a sweet battery life and features a waterproof activity tracker!

Misfit Swarovski Slake Set Fitness Activity Tracker

 

Yesterday, I saw that Misfit Wearables (a hardware company that designs and manufactures wearable products that utilize sensor technology) and Swarovski have teamed up for some useful, blingy, fashionable fitness trackers!  The activity tracker is a fully faceted crystal in a Swarovski exclusive cut, that measures your activities and sleep, and syncs with your smartphone. A battery is included, which from several sites appears to be replaceable and lasts 4 to 8 months.

The Swarovski Shine Vio Set, Swarovski Shine Slake Set, and Swarovski Shine Piofioria Set are shown on the Swarovski web site, however, at this time, the pre-order must be done at the Misfit web site.  These sets include the actual activity tracker.  Prices for the sets are $169 – $249.  One article indicated that the sets would be available at Swarovski.com in the spring of 2015.

Additionally, pendant and wristband accessories (without the device tracker) can be pre-ordered at the Misfit web site: Serora Pendant, Lisea Pendant, Vio Pendant, Cardoon Leather Wristband, Cleyera Wristband, Piofioria Wristband, and Slake Bracelet (in light gray, medium gray, and black). Prices for the accessories are $69 – $149.

 

 

 

Misfit Swarovski Purple Solar Activity Tracker

And that’s not all…. while I was researching for the article, I learned that yet another Swarovski Misfit tracker seem to be on the horizon!  I found pictures of a purple stone in a navy or purple slake bracelet.  The article with it sites that the purple one (Violet Swarovski Shine) is going to be a solar-powered fitness tracker!  The launch date of the Swarovski solar powered activity tracker was not evident anywhere I looked.

The Misfit Solutions are shown in their store for pre-order: Swarovski Shine Collection as well as the Swarovski site:  Swarovski Activity Tracker.  Naturally, Misfit’s  apps in Google Play and the Apple App Store allow users to get tracking information on their phone.

Seriously….seeing all this makes me want to track my activities just so I can get one!  This is exciting new for fitness fanatics and Swarovski crystal fanatics alike!

Swarovski Article posted by Angie / Crystal Exchange America

Swarovski Crystal Ashtray: More Useful Cigarette Accessories

Swarovski collectors can appreciate when the crystal giant makes products that are not only beautiful, but also useful (if you are a serious collector, you probably wont “use” something that is functional). Cigarette Smokers may be interested in the Swarovski Cigarette Lighter, as well as the Swarovski Crystal Ashtray products that have been available through the years.

The oldest Swarovski Ashtray figurines were like small bowls with a rim of polished silver or polished gold which included an extension to hold a cigarette.  These units are known as the Rhodium Polished Ashtray and Gold Polished Ashtray.  These Swarovski Ashtrays used the part number 7501 061 000 and system number 011 157.  These figurines were the smallest of the ashtrays made, measuring about 2″ in diameter. The ashtrays feature the old Swarovski logo since they were produced 1977 to 1983.

The more commonly seen Swarovski Ashtray is solid crystal and is nearly 4″ in diameter.  The identification numbers for this smoker’s accessory are 7461 100 000 and 010 061. Max Schreck was the Swarovski designer of this ashtray, which was available from 1981 to 1990.

In the late 1980’s and into the mid 1990’s, Swarovski produced some limited edition Swarovski Ashtrays, identifiable by their unique names: Posacenere and Cendrier.

The Swarovski Posacenere Ashtray (Posacenere is the Italian word for ashtray).  Being a part of the Daniel Swarovski line, this ashtray features Ettore Sottass signature along with an identifying serial number.  While the Swarovski Posacenere was limited to 500 units, it was available 1989 to 2001….quite a long time to sell 500 units.  Perhaps this was due to the sticker price of $1720????

Lastly is the Swarovski Cendrier Ashtray (Cendrier is the French word for ashtray).  The Swarovski Cendrier was limited to 2182 pieces and sold 1992 to 1995.  It was designed by Martin Szekely and sold for $190 during its 4 year production run.

Swarovski Ashtrays can be found at Crystal Exchange America in the “Useful Swarovski” category, “Ashtrays and Treasure Boxes” subcategory as well as the online auctions.  If  you plan to actually “use” a Swarovski Crystal Ashtray, I would not suggest paying extra money to ensure it is in MINT condition or that it includes original box/paperwork.  Using and cleaning ashtrays, they are far more likely to get damaged than if they were display only units.

Swarovski Article posted by Angie / Crystal Exchange America

Swarovski Cigarette Lighter: Functional Smoking Accessories

Swarovski produced a number of functional issues for their smoking collectors.  (Aren’t we all totally smoking Swarovski collectors????)

In the crystal brand’s earliest  years, they made a Swarovski Polished Rhodium Cigarette Lighter, a Swarovski Brushed Rhodium Cigarette Lighter, and a Swarovski Polished Gold Cigarette Lighter, all documented in  Warner’s Blue Ribbon Books on Swarovski.  These most original releases were more metal than crystal.

These Swarovski Cigarette Lighters were all recognized by a common part number 7500 00 000, despite their obvious visual differences of silver vs gold and polished vs brushed finishes.  Cigarette Lighters  of this part number were introduced in 1977 and retired in 1983.  All had a price tag of $160 US.

In 1981, Swarovski began production of another lighter, which was later retired in 1990.  This Swarovski Cigarette Lighter was more crystal than metal.  It’s part number was 746 062 000.  Over its production run of 9 years,  the crystal component varied slightly with some having a more rounded top and some having a more beveled top.

Some of these Swarovski Cigarette Lighters can be found at the online auctions and both will be ending this week.

  • Swarovski Cigarette Lighter (Rhodium) on eBay
  • Swarovski Cigarette Lighter (Crystal) on eBay

If any of these lighters are something of interest, be sure to check out the auctions on eBay before it’s too late!

Swarovski Article posted by Angie / Crystal Exchange America

Fraud Alert: Beware of Fake Websites Using the famous Swarovski Name

A month or so back, I came across an article discussing how many large companies and consumers are being victimized by fraudulent websites.  One company specifically mentioned was Swarovski.   And the number of fake websites modeling theirs is growing.  Sadly enough, consumers and Swarovski crystal fanatics looking for a great deal on their favorite figurines and jewelry are likely to only end up with headaches and frustrated for weeks or months until the matter is closed.

The scenario is this… a fraudster group of individuals picks a brand to target, in this case Swarovski.  They purchase a domain name (less than $50 for one year) that any normal internet user might believe is the official Swarovski brand.  Then the scammers get to work building the website (or pay to have it done).  Oftentimes, this heartless group will steal images, artwork, logos, and other material directly from the luxury brand’s own web site!  On the fake Swarovski websites, the prices will be so slashed, that it might be hard to resist.  The web site looks real.  The images are indeed Swarovski products.  The prices look great.  Why not!  Well, the ‘Why Not?’ should be easy…if it looks too good to be true, then it probably is too good to be true.

Here are some of the non-official websites I located doing research for this article.  I intentionally did not link to them, so you will have to re-type them into another browser window to navigate to the site. For legal reasons, I must say that I’m NOT implying that these sites sell fakes;  I am indicating that they are NOT the official brand that we think they are when looking at the products advertised on their sites.  Just like any other websites, consider the potential for malware (though I don’t believe there were any issues when I visited them):

  • Non-Official Site #1:  www.swarovskisale.co
  • Non-Official Site #2:  www.swarovski-store.net
  • Non-Official Site #3:  www.cheap-swarovski.net
  • Non-Official Site #4:  www.swarovski-shop.me
  • Non-Official Site #5:  www.swarovski-onlineshop.com
  • Non-Official Site #6:  www.swarovski-outletuk.co.uk

Just for kicks, I picked a non-official website, and began the process to place an order.  When I picked to pay by credit card, I was transferred to a 3rd party payment domain owned by an individual or company in China.  I switched my method of payment to Western Union, and saw that the recipient address displayed was again in China.  So, lastly I selected Bank Transfer, and again, the recipient information shows a destination in China. Might this be an indicator of a Swarovski scam?  Certainly so!  After all, the official Swarovski brand is NOT in China!

Is this the luxury brand’s official web site……?

Is this an official Swarovski website?

Or Is this the luxury brand’s official web site……?

Is this an official Swarovski website?

Or is this the luxury brand’s official web site……?

Is this an official Swarovski website?

Naturally, Swarovski’s legal team goes after cyber-squatters whose sole purpose is to defraud consumers.  Here is one such domain name that Swarovski has claimed: www.swarovski-sale.com .  From various sites where consumers report scams, this domain name appeared numerous times, so it was very wise for the crystal giant to display a blank page instead of the official Swarovski website.

Despite Swarovski getting control of the swarovski-sale.com domain name, I would be certain that the process is expensive and takes a good bit of time wading through all the proper channels of command, so there is plenty of opportunity time-wise for consumers to be victimized by the scammers.  In most complaints and cases I read posted by the victims themselves, they report:

  • Receiving cheap plastic substitutions
  • Having emails that don’t use the domain name itself, i.e. Swarovski-deal @ xyz-mail.com .  In some cases, there is no email at all.  They use a ‘contact us’ form that essentially does nothing.
  • If there is email correspondence, it contains  very poor and broken English and grammar
  • Social Networking text and graphics on the website pages are not actual links (‘Share Your Story’, ‘Like Us on Facebook’, ‘Follow Us on Twitter’, ‘Share This’, etc)

Swarovski crystal collectors and those who enjoy Swarovski jewelry should stick with reliable sources.  Don’t become a victim of Swarovski fraud.  Send emails to the website company for more information about their guarantees and return policies to ensure you are dealing with a legitimate company.  Follow your instinct; if it seems fishy, it probably is fishy.

Crystal collectors can count on the Swarovski Experts at Crystal Exchange America to ensure the figurines purchased from them are indeed genuine Swarovski.  Check out the Crystal Exchange America website at www.CrystalExchange.com for retired and hard to find Swarovski figurines.

Swarovski Article posted by Angie / Crystal Exchange America

Swarovski Beetle Bottle Opener on eBay

Swarovski crystal fanatics may be interested in bidding on a Swarovski Beetle Bottle Opener on eBay with a tempting starting bid!  The Beetle Bottle Opener presently at auction can be found on eBay – Swarovski Beetle Bottle Opener .

Swarovski Rhodium Beetle Bottle Opener

The Swarovski Beetle Bottle Opener extends about 4.25″ in length.  The luxury crystal brand produced the Beetle Bottle Opener in its very early years: 1978 through 1983.  This item was available with 2 different metal finishes, gold and rhodium (silver colored).  Additionally, there are 2 different variations of the figurine, making a total of four different products.

Swarovski identifies the Swarovski Gold Beetle Bottle Opener with the product number 7505 076 001 and system number 011 840.  Similary, Swarovski identifies the Swarovski Rhodium Beetle Bottle Opener with the product number 7505 076 002 and the same system number 011 840.  So, if looking at the system numbers alone, it is not possible to identify if a particular Beetle Bottle Opener has a gold or rhodium finish.

During the 5 years that Swarovski sold the figurine through standard retail channels, the Beetle Bottle Opener (regardless of the metal colored trim) retailed for $80.  This figurine can be found only with the Block SC logo since its entire production run ended prior to the introduction of the Swarovski Swan logo.  The Block SC logo is found stamped in the metal part, not on the crystal component.

 

 

If you are looking for retired Swarovski Beetle Bottle Opener collectibles, Crystal Exchange America has an array of variations available. The Crystal Exchange America web site is at www.CrystalExchange.com  The Beetle Bottle Openers can be found in the category ‘Other Silver Crystal’, sub-category ‘Functional’.

Swarovski Article posted by Angie / Crystal Exchange America

Swarovski Flower Power Mo, another Limited Edition Cow for Crystal Fanatics!

Yesterday, we received notification from the crystal giant that the limited edition Swarovski Flower Power Mo would be available online in mid-May!

Swarovski Lovlots Flower Power Mo

The news on the official brand’s web site indicates that the Swarovski Flower Power Mo will be the final ‘Limited Online Edition’ in the herd of Mo Cows.  While the news may sound sad at first, our contacts at the company indicated that there will be future releases of Mo Cows, it’s just that this will be the last one with exclusive online distribution.

Swarovski uses some unique color names, so converting that into English, Flower Power Mo basically has a sky-blue body and an olive-green head.  Lovlots Flower Power Mo is decorated with colorful pink, yellow, and violet daisy flowers on her body.

Some of the last couple limited edition mos had maximum order quantities in the product description.  Nothing of that nature was in the Swarovski announcement, so I don’t know if that will be the case with this one or not.  Swarovski Lovlots Flower Power Mo will retail for $70 when she is officially available next month.

Swarovski has produced nearly 20 Mo Cows in the Lovlots Mo herd, most of which are Limited Editions Mos.

  • Swarovski Alabaster Mo (2007 Exclusive Edition)
  • Swarovski Angel Mo, Limited Edition 2012
  • Swarovski Belle Mo (2010 – 2012)
  • Swarovski Bubble Mo, Limited Edition 2012
  • Swarovski Charming Mo, Limited Edition 2011
  • Swarovski Country Mos, Limited Edition 2010
  • Swarovski Flower Mo, Limited Edition 2009
  • Swarovski Glamour Mos, Limited Edition 2010
  • Swarovski Halloween Mo, Limited Edition 2009
  • Swarovski Hot Chili Mo, Limited Edition 2013
  • Swarovski Lucky Mo, Limited Edition 2012
  • Swarovski Magic Mo, Limited Edition 2012
  • Swarovski Missy Mo (2006 – 2012)
  • Swarovski Missy Mo, Large (2006 – 2009)
  • Swarovski Pinky Mo, Limited Edition 2007
  • Swarovski Santa Mo, Limited Edition 2011
  • Swarovski Soccer Mo, Limited Edition 2008
  • Swarovski Sunshine Mo, Limited Edition 2011

It will be interesting to follow the secondary market prices of the original Swarovski Flower Mo.  For years, it has shown to be one of the highest dollar limited edition mos.   This same trend is also true if you check out the online auction prices, where prices are presently in the $350 arena.

So, mark your calendar for the lucky day of May 13!  If you are looking for prior releases of the Lovlots Limited Edition Mo Cows, check out the Swarovski Limited Editions on the Crystal Exchange America website!

Swarovski Article posted by Angie / Crystal Exchange America

Swarovski Train – the Crystal Locomotion

In the late 1980’s and into the 1st decade of 2000, Swarovski produced 6 train cars to make up the Crystal Locomotion set. Swarovski also created a mirror for the train cars and a wooden train track.

All the Swarovski train cars were available to purchase separately.  Below is a list of the figurines, their Swarovski identification numbers, and the years that they were available:

Swarovski Train on Wooden Track

Gabrielle Stamey was credited with the design for all the train cars.  These train figurines were part of the ‘When We Were Young’ theme group.

The crystal brand also sold two different subsets of these figurines as a group.  One subset was the Swarovski Train (Set of 3) which consisted of the Locomotive, Tender Car, and Wagon Carriage.  All 3 figurines were in a single box and together retailed for $305.  The other subset was called it the Swarovski Train (Set of 4).  All 4 items were packaged in a single container, and sold for $400.  The train figurines in the foursome were the Locomotive, the Tender, the Wagon Carriage, and the Petrol Wagon.

Additionally, these train figurines should not be confused with the Swarovski Mini Train, which has the following identification numbers: 7471 400 000 / 193 014 .  The Mini Train is a set of 4 train cars in a single box, which includes a round mirror with a train track painted on it.  The Mini Train is much smaller, and the train cars between the 2 sets cannot be interchanged.  This set appears consists of a locomotive and 3 identical cars that are similar to the wagon carriage.

Crystal Exchange America presently has many of the Swarovski Train cars on eBay at attractive Buy It Now prices and FREE shipping!  Interested crystal collectors who may miss the specials on eBay can find the Swarovski Train figurines in the online store in the Swarovski Transportation category.

Swarovski Article posted by Angie / Crystal Exchange America

Swarovski Crystal Book, the 2013 Edition (for Crystal Nature / Silver Crystal) Now Available

I have marvelous news for Swarovski collectors and new owners of Swarovski crystal figurines…the Warner’s Blue Ribbon Book on Swarovski Silver Crystal Swarovski book is now available!

This Swarovski book is in its 20th year of publication.   The book authors, Tom and Jane Warner, are serious Swarovski collectors and update / re-publish the set of Swarovski books each year.

The Swarovski Silver Crystal book contains photos with detailed information about Swarovski SCS crystal figurines and the newly named Crystal Nature (formerly Silver Crystal) figurine releases (as well as product variations on them) for the past 35 years! That’s approximately 1500 Swarovski Crystal figurines in this book!

Warner’s Blue Ribbon Book on Swarovski, 2013 Ed.

There fundamental reasons for annually updating the Swarovski book are to:

  • Include preceding year Swarovski new releases and retirement data
  • Update Swarovski Value for insurance purposes (Swarovski ERV in the publication)

Research for the 2013 Swarovski book was performed just 2 months ago in January 2013, so the computed Swarovski ERV values for the retired Swarovski figurines for the 2013 edition is definitely fresh.

Some collectors feel that ‘values’ may be stagnant, and consider NOT purchasing books on a regular basis. However that is not necessarily the case when it comes to ‘insurance values’.  No one wants to overpay for insurance, and no one wants to be under-compensated when there are tragic losses.  Some collectors feel that trading values in the online auctions may be one possible way to determine a buying price if replacement Swarovski figurines need to be purchased, and that may be ok for some people who have very small collections (less than 50 figurines). But honestly…WHO has time and energy to research the statistics for a medium or large size collection (i.e. 300+ pieces). The Swarovski Experts have already done all that work for collectors, so it make the most sense to purchase the books and use their professional recommendations for insuring Swarovski crystal collections!

For Swarovski fanatics ready to purchase the newest, most accurate information, the Warner’s Blue Ribbon Book on Swarovski Silver Crystal, the order can be placed at www.wbrb.com or www.crystalexchange.com/swarovski-c-PUB.html

Swarovski Article posted by Angie / Crystal Exchange America

Crystal Fanatics can get 2013 Swarovski Crystal Catalogue!

I have outstanding news for Swarovski crystal collectors…the 2013 Warner’s Blue Ribbon Book on Swarovski: Beyond Silver Crystal Swarovski catalogue is now available!

This Swarovski catalogue is in its 17th year of publication.  Tom and Jane Warner, the book authors, are dedicated Swarovski collectors and annually publish new Swarovski books.

Swarovski 2013 Book: Beyond Silver Crystal

The Swarovski Beyond Silver Crystal catalogue contains Swarovski pictures and detailed information about Swarovski crystal figurines across many company product lines for the past 35+ years! Photos in the book, together with dimensions and other facts that allow for accurate Swarovski identification to most precisely insure a Swarovski collection.  The Swarovski product lines or groupings include in the Beyond Silver Crystal book are:  Swarovski Symbols (formerly Crystal Moments), Pendants and Brooches, Swarovski Ornaments, Swarovski Mother Nature (formerly Crystal Paradise), Swarovski Home Accesssories, Swarovski Contemporary Nature (formerly Soulmates), Swarovski Asian Symbols, Swarovski Hello Kitty, Daniel Swarovski Home Accessories, Daniel Swarovski Masterpieces, Swarovski Crystal Myriad, Swarovski CrystalograM, Swarovski Julia’s World, Swarovski Perfume, Swarovski Paperweights, Swarovski Trimlite, Swarovski Crystal Signatures, and more!  There’s over 1700 Swarovski Crystal items in the Beyond Silver Crystal Book.

The primary reasons for re-publishing the Swarovski book each year are to:

  • Update previous year Swarovski crystal introductions and retirements
  • Revise Swarovski Value (also known as Swarovski ERV in the publication) to 2013 standards

Research for 2013 Swarovski ERV was performed in January 2013, so the determined Swarovski Value for the retired Swarovski figurines for the 2013 edition is based on recent data.

Swarovski collectors who have never purchased the book can find contact information for the authors at the Warner’s Blue Ribbon Book website www.wbrb.com (on the About Us tab) to determine which book is best for the collector or if the collectors should purchase the complete book set.  For Swarovski crystal fanatics that know exactly what they need, the Warner’s Blue Ribbon Book on Swarovski: Beyond Silver Crystal, can be placed at Warner’s website or www.crystalexchange.com/swarovski-c-PUB.html.

Swarovski Article posted by Angie / Crystal Exchange America

Swarovski Passport to Sparkle…Something fun for Crystal Fanatics!

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

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!

Swarovski Article posted by Angie / Crystal Exchange America