Category: Kristall Buzz

The crystal giant has produced a very small quantity of items specifically with a smoker in mind: the Swarovski Ashtray, the Swarovski  Cigarette Lighter, and last but not least the Swarovski Cigarette Holder.

While there were 5 crystal ashtrays, and 3 crystal cigarette lighters, there were basically 2 crystal cigarette holders:  a solid crystal one, and one with various metal accents.

The most common Swarovski Cigarette Holder is 100% crystal with no metal accents.  Known by the Swarovski part number 7463 062 000, this piece was designed by Max Schreck, and produced 1981 to 1990.  With a height of about 2.25″, it was designed to hold unused cigarettes.

The other, far more unique and hard to find Swarovski Cigarette Holder was produced 1977 to 1983 with a variety of metal accents:  Swarovski Polished Rhodium Cigarette Holder (shiny silver), Swarovski Brushed Rhodium Cigarette Holder (brushed silver), and Swarovski Polished Gold Cigarette Holder (shiney gold).  This item stands about 5 1/2″ tall and is documented by the Swarovski part number 7503 050 000 regardless of the metal trim.

A Swarovski Polished Rhodium Cigarette Holder was recently available on eBay.  Last week, it failed to get an opening bid of $79.   A few days later, it was relisted at a fixed price of $115, and sold in < 12 hours.

Swarovski Cigarette Holder figurines can be found at Crystal Exchange America in the “Useful Swarovski” , “More Functional” sub-category.  Using and cleaning cigarette holders, they are more likely to become damaged than if they were only displayed in cabinets. If  you plan to actually “use” them, I would not recommend paying top dollar to ensure it is in MINT condition or that it includes original box and coa certificate/paperwork.

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 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!