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 2011 Database at WBRBOnline.com

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.

Swarovski Article posted by Angie / Crystal Exchange America

Swarovski Limited Edition Royal Wedding Pen

I’m in the USA, so I don’t hear as much about the big Royal Wedding as do the residents of the UK.  I’d think they hear about royal wedding updates in the media, in the streets, and at the water cooler.  I imagine they see royal wedding memorabilia everywhere.  Vendors wanting to come up with unique ideas and also be in on the action making a few more bucks when there is a chance.

In the UK, there is a Swarovski Limited Edition Royal Wedding Pen being sold.  It is a Swarovski pen (in a Swarovski box, and Swarovski on the pen).  The color is purple and it has black ink.  The body is filled with 160 sparkling Swarovski crystal stones. The barrel is imprinted with “29th April 2011”, the date of HRH William and Kate’s royal wedding.  The Swarovski system # is 1119199.

 

Swarovski Royal Pen

This Royal Wedding Pen is a Limited Edition item, with only 2,000 units produced.  I found two stores in the UK selling them online.  I also found the Swarovski Royal Wedding pen on ebay from two different sellers (one seller with two id’s??  I don’t know)

The Swarovski Royal Wedding Pen is shown with a Swarovski Certificate by one eBay seller.  The other seller does not show or mention a certificate.

Since the pens have only the date on, they could possible represent a special date someone else’s life birthday, engagement date, anniversary, or some other special occasion. If the date April 29th is meaningful in your life, this might be a good gift idea!

Swarovski produced a variety of pen colors, and many can be found on the crystal brand web site in the Stationery category:  Swarovski Pens.  The retail price is in the range of $24 – $33 per pen.

I’ll be looking for more royal wedding memorabilia using Swarovski components, so stay tuned for more discoveries!

Swarovski Article posted by Angie / Crystal Exchange America

Swarovski Crystal Easter Eggs

Easter is just around the corner, and many people enjoy watching the young ones participating in Easter Egg hunts, visiting the Easter Bunny, and receiving Easter baskets filled with candy and trinkets.

Even grown-ups sometimes enjoy creating an Easter basket filled with sweets and treasures for that special someone in their life.

If your special someone is among the many Swarovski crystal fanatics, perhaps Swarovski Easter Eggs would make a nice gift tucked away among the marshmallow bunnies, jelly beans, and chocolate eggs.

The Swarovski Easter Eggs were a set of five eggs: Clear, Pink, Peridot, Jonquil and Sapphire.  They were produced less than 2 years, beginning in 2004 and retiring in 2005.  Each egg in the set is approximately 1 inch long.  Elke Kumar was the Swarovski designer credited for the crystal creation.  The Swarovski Easter Eggs can be identified using the following company-assigned reference numbers: 9448 000 028 / 665 193 / 680 705.

If you are thinking that you like the idea, the Swarovski Easter Eggs can be found at Crystal Exchange America web site: http://www.crystalexchange.com/ .  The Swarovski crystal eggs start at $75 + shipping and many can be shipped out within 2 days of order initiation.

Swarovski Article posted by Angie / Crystal Exchange America

Swarovski Soulmate Panther – Black vs Moroda

Last month, I wrote an article about the Swarovski Black Panther and its latest rival the Swarovski Moroda Panther, both a part of the Swarovski Soulmate product line.  For the most part, I had two questions:

  1. What is the difference in color between the Swarovski Black Panther and the Swarovski Moroda Panther?
  2. And if the colors are nearly identical, is the value of the Swarovski Limited Edition Black Panther going to decline as a result of a nearly identical release?

Originally, when the article was written, on the Swarovski site, the panther’s color was described as it gleams intensely in Moroda crystal.   It was up to the buyer to figure out what ‘Moroda crystal’ was.

I’m happy to see that Swarovski has expanded upon their description of the color.  A portion of the Swarovski Panther product description states it gleams intensely in Moroda crystal, radiating from a metallic blue to warm bronze and brown-black tones.  I think this still leaves a bit to the imagination, but it does sound like an interesting color, if these dark rainbow tones do come out when displayed in a Swarovski collector’s cabinet.

 


Swarovski Soulmate Panther (Moroda) Swarovski Soulmate Panther (Clear)
(Pictured above, left to right are the Swarovski Soulmate Panthers:  Moroda Panther, Black Panther, and Clear Panther)

Here’s a quick comparison between the Swarovski Black Panther and Swarovski Moroda Panther if you’re considering a purchase:

 

  • Availability…
    Swarovski Black Panther – Swarovski Numbered Limited Edition (more difficult to locate)
    Swarovski Moroda Panther – Brand New 2011, not numbered, not limited
  • Color…
    Swarovski Black Panther – Jet Black
    Swarovski Moroda Panther – Moroda crystal, radiating from a metallic blue to warm bronze and brown-black tones
  • Where to Purchase…
    Swarovski Black Panther – Retired.  Must be purchased on the Secondary Market or Online Auction
    Swarovski Moroda Panther –  Brand New.  Can be purchased from the Swarovski web site or any authorized retailer (still not available to purchase in the USA online)
  • Price…
    Swarovski Black Panther – Purchase price likely to be $3000 – $4000
    Swarovski Moroda Panther – Purchase price $960 (or maybe less if you have a good relationship with your Swarovski store)

If you still prefer clear figurines over colored figurines, the crystal brand is retiring the clear Swarovski Soulmate Panther this year (2011).  The clear cat has a system number of 874 337.  The Swarovski designer credited for the elegant design is Heinz Tabertshofer.  All the Swarovski Soulmate Panther figurines come in a firm case, a cleaning cloth, and gloves.  All retail(ed) for $960.

If you are a feline fanatic, there are other Swarovski crystal wild cat figurines:  Swarovski Tiger, Swarovski Golden Shadow Lion, Swarovski Lion, and Swarovski Leopard.  Most of these feline figurines can be found at the Crystal Exchange America web site:  http://www.crystalexchange.com/ .

Swarovski Article posted by Angie / Crystal Exchange America

Swarovski Bald Eagle NLE Online Ordering Begins April 11, 2011

Swarovski stores have been accepting orders for the Swarovski Bald Eagle from their SCS customers since mid-February.  Beginning April 11, 2011, it will be possible for Swarovski SCS members to place their order online at the Swarovski site.

Swarovski Bald Eagle, Limited Edition for 2011
Swarovski states that this is the largest colored, cut sculpture ever produced by the crystal brand.  I think it will be interesting to see if the ‘color’ excites Swarovski collectors, or if they pass on the opportunity to purchase because they personally prefer the ‘clear’ sculptures.  I hear both sides from our customers.
The Swarovski Bald Eagle is the seventh Swarovski Numbered Limited Edition (of 10,000) issued by Swarovski since 1995.  Previous Swarovski NLE can be generally obtained on the secondary market:

So if you are an SCS member, you will have another option for ordering your Swarovski Crystal Bald Eagle.  If you are not an SCS member, you can join now, or simply wait 3 months (hoping that they do not sell out to Swarovski SCS members) and place your order online in July, 2011.

Swarovski Article posted by Angie / Crystal Exchange America

Swarovski Sunshine Mo Cow is Mooving to the West End

I just returned home from the Sunshine state after having a nice family vacation.  Wouldn’t you know, I see the announcement for the new Swarovski Sunshine Mo.

The crystal brand states that the Swarovski Lovlots figurine, Sunshine Mo, will be a limited edition figurine available only online.  The launch date is scheduled for May 30.  It will be available in 23 countries, and I’m glad that USA is one of them this Swarovski cow looks mighty cute. With the flower necklace, she could have been “Hula Mo”!

Swarovski Sunshine Mo
Swarovski Sunshine Mo

 

Swarovski Sunshine Mo will be joining her Swarovski Lovlots cow sisters Swarovski Pinky Mo (Swarovski LE 2007), Swarovski Soccer Mo (Swarovski LE 2008), Swarovski Flower Mo (Swarovski LE 2009), Swarovski Halloween Mo (Swarovski LE 2009), Swarovski Country Mos (Swarovski LE 2010), Swarovski Glamour Mos (Swarovski LE 2010), and Swarovski Charming Mo (Swarovski LE 2011). Swarovski also makes Missy Mo (introduced 2006) and Belle Mo (introduced 2010), but these Swarovski cows are not limited editions.

For more information on the Swarovski Limited Edition Mos, check out the Swarovski Flower Mo article on the Kristall Buzz.

Crystal Exchange America has all the Swarovski Limited Edition Mo crystal figurines on their web site. So if you fall in love with the new Swarovski Sunshine Mo, be sure and check out prior limited edition mos to see if they too are ‘must have’ crystal figurines for your collection!

Swarovski Article posted by Angie / Crystal Exchange America

Swarovski Country Mos Cows Sale at Crystal Exchange America

Crystal Exchange America has a client with a few extra Swarovski Country Mos to sell quickly.  So to assist in the clients wishes, Crystal Exchange is running a promotion with a coupon valid specifically on the Swarovski Country Mo Lovlots cows.

Swarovski Limited Edition Country Mo Cows

The Country Mos is a pair of Swarovski Limited Edition Cows in the Swarovski Lovlots product line that was available online only in 2010.  The Swarovski Country Mos are clear with brown or black spots and horns matching the spots.  The bells on the cows are a golden color.  The original retail price of the Swarovski cows was $105 + shipping.

The following coupon code ‘kbuzzcow3’ can be used during checkout to save $25 on the already attractive prices of the Swarovski Country Mos.  The coupon is good for the purchase on Swarovski Country Mos only and does expire April 30, 2011.  Purchase several pair and create your very own Swarovski Country Mo Cow herd!

Crystal Exchange America has all the Swarovski Limited Edition Mo crystals on their web site if you are looking for any of the other Swarovski Mo figurines, such as: Swarovski Pinky Mo (2007), Swarovski Flower Mo (2008), Swarovski Soccer Mo(2008), Swarovski Halloween Mo (2009), and Swarovski Glamour Mos (2010).  They also have other special Limited Edition Lovlots in the store, simply look in the Limited Editions category at http://www.crystalexchange.com/

Swarovski Article posted by Angie / Crystal Exchange America

Swarovski COA Crystal Acronym

Here are more acronyms used in advertising Swarovski crystal that is offered for sale.  While the many experienced Swarovski Crystal collectors understand the frequently used acronyms, there are still a lot of people buying and selling Swarovski who do not have knowledge of the acronyms or can be mislead by improper use of the acronym.  So, I thought I’d do my best to cover a few more acronyms and offer cautions on the use of them.

Swarovski COA – Swarovski Certificate of Authenticity.  For the majority of Swarovski crystal products, the Swarovski COA is truly a generic product booklet that can be interchanged with other Swarovski crystal products. I have a lengthy page on the Crystal Exchange America site about Swarovski Certificates and two Kristall Buzz Swarovski blog postings on the Swarovski COA:
Swarovski Certificates / Generic Product Booklets 1976 to present

 

The Swarovski COA is definitely important for some figurines, but the ones in the image above are the interchangeable generic product booklets.  Swarovski SCS figurines and Swarovski AE figurines should have certificates.  In many cases (but not all cases), limited edition figurines have a special Swarovski COA.  Not all sellers are knowledgeable about Swarovski because they are not serious collectors.  For a Swarovski Annual Edition, the seller may include the generic product booklet in lieu the true Swarovski COA.  This would likely be a costly mistake for an unskilled collector who does not know what the ‘complete package’ should include.  Purchasing a special (correct) Swarovski COA may not be an easy task as they are typically harder to find and can be expensive to purchase separately.
Wrapping up, this should serve as a reminder to thoroughly read auction descriptions, view the auction images if there are any, and ask questions if there might be contradictory information.  Use caution when an auction for an Annual Edition states Swarovski COA included, but shows an image of the generic product booklet.  When in doubt, ask questions about the items included for sale and what the seller’s return policy is.  When the transaction is finished, the buyer should be happy with outcome final price.
Swarovski Article posted by Angie / Crystal Exchange America

Swarovski Arribas Mickey Mouse Figurine on eBay

Swarovski and Disney collectors may be glad to hear about the Swarovski Arribas Jeweled Mickey Mouse is on ebay with an attractive opening bid!  (Specific item details are available on the Swarovski Jeweled Mickey Mouse in the auction.)

 

 

Swarovski Arribas Mickey Mouse

The Swarovski Mickey Mouse was a limited edition figurine sold and marketed by the Arribas Brothers stores in the Disney theme parks.  10,000 limited edition Swarovski statues were produced for the Arribas Brothers. This collectible figure is 2.25″ tall and has over 180 Swarovski paves stones set into the face, arms, chest, buttons and legs of Mickey Mouse. Mickey Mouse features the Arribas stamp in the foot of the figurine.

The Arribas Mickey Mouse originally retailed for $295 when it launched and sold out in 1997.  While the figurine itself is not numbered, the accompanying certificate does indicate the production number.  An optional stand and plaque were offered with the figurine at approximately $50 each.

The Swarovski Mickey Mouse was the first piece in the joint venture between Swarovski and the Arribas Brothers stores.  Following the success of this figurine, other similarly-decorated, limited edition, figurines were produced:  Tinker Bell, Minnie Mouse, Winnie the Pooh, Donald Duck, and there are others.

Arribas continues to introduce and sell figurines decorated with Swarovski crystal stones, however, they don’t seem to be quite as popular as the inaugural Mickey Mouse.

If you are looking for retired Swarovski Arribas and Disney figurines, Crystal Exchange America has a selection of them. The Crystal Exchange America

Swarovski Article posted by Angie / Crystal Exchange America

Swarovski Crystal Decorated Watches

I recently came across a review of some unique watches decorated with Swarovski crystal stones.  After reading the review, I decided to get more information on the watches.

These retro digital watches can be found on the Phosphor web site.  I saw about six watches available, with the primary difference being the strap color and crystal colors.  The prices range from $200 – $250 per watch.

The description from the Phosphor web site about one of their watches is:

Driven by Micro-Magnetic Mechanical Digital (M3D) technology, the Phosphor Appear watch utilizes miniature-sized rotors adorned with Swarovski crystals that revolve to reveal numerical or chronological information. With each minute, an electrical pulse generates an electromagnetic field that changes the position of the crystals on the face of the watch, to elegantly display the passing time, while producing a distinctive sound unique to the Phosphor Appear digital watch line.

The basic “time” mode features a 12-hour display, with the hours positioned above the minutes on the face. The watch face also offers a “seconds” mode and “off” mode, showing an entire face of crystals with no time display.

These Swarovski crystal decorated watches are interesting.  They contain lots of bling and are likely fascinating conversation pieces.  While composing this article, I decided to check out the crystal giant’s web site of their product line of Swarovski Watches.  As you would expect, the watches are pricey.  The least expensive Swarovski watch was $500.  I did find several over $3000.  If cost is a motivating factor in purchasing a blingy watch, perhaps these Phosphor time pieces may be something to consider!

Swarovski Article posted by Angie / Crystal Exchange America