Category: Kristall Buzz

Swarovski Kris Bear and Swarovski Missy Mo Friendship #3

Well, my petite crystal friends have slipped out once again.  My Swarovski figurines, Missy Mo and Kris Bear have been back in action, and the paparazzi have captured more photographs!

Swarovski Kris Bear and Swarovski Lovlots Missy Mo

Mum is the word, but the Swarovski crystal figurines told us they are getting ready for a job interview!  A job?  It appears this is a package deal they both want to work together going on a joint interview.  I can hardly believe that my little Swarovski figurines want to do more than stand pretty in my crystal cabinet?

Swarovski Crystal Moments Kris Bear and Swarovski Lovlots Flower Mo

This photo shows Swarovski Kris Bear and Swarovski Missy Mo dressed and ready to go.  It’s obvious where they are headed to the local florist.  Missy Mo showing off her green outfit decorated with flowers things, just like guess who?  Of course Swarovski Flower Mo!  Kris Bear is making an impression with his green thumb.

The Swarovski Flower Mo was a limited edition figurine available only in 2009.  This Lovlots crystal figurine can be identified as Swarovski part # 9100 000 174 and system # 1 027 911.  While it originally retailed for $55, it now commands prices of $250 to $350 in the online auctions and in the secondary market.  Our Kristall Buzz article on Swarovski Flower Mo in March, 2011, documents how the prices on this Lovlots figurine have been on the rise.

The Swarovski Kris Bear Especially for You is an adorable bear figurine proudly holding a giant sunflower.  It was introduced in 2005 and can be purchased in the Swarovski store at a cost of $100.  This crystal figurine can be identified as Swarovski part # 9400 000 062 and system # 842 934.

Swarovski Lovlots Flower Mo can be found at Crystal Exchange America website: www.CrystalExchange.com .  Look in the Limited Edition Swarovski category of the store to find it and other limited edition Lovlots Swarovski Mo Cows.

I completely believe in privacy, so I’m not real big on the paparazzi activity.  However, I love these photos of Kris Bear and Missy Mo that they have been providing to us!  Swarovski crystal fanatics should stay tuned to the Kristall Buzz to see what interesting photos may surface next!

Swarovski Article posted by Angie / Crystal Exchange America

Swarovski CrystalograM Collection: “The Five by Weidinger”

Some little-known pictures produced by our favorite crystal brand are the Swarovski CrystalograM creations.   Briefly, a CrystalograM is a work of art by Hubert Weidinger with Swarovski crystal stones hand-set into the work which extends from a canvas across the frame to create an extremely unique portrait.

Swarovski CrystalograMs by Hubert Weidinger

Hubert Weidinger is a Swarovski artist who created five CrystalograMs, hence ‘The Five by Weidinger’. The Swarovski CrystalograM pictures each have a theme and primary color:

  1. Swarovski Fire CrystalograM red
  2. Swarovski Nature CrystalograM   green
  3. Swarovski Earth CrystalograM</a orange
  4. Swarovski Air CrystalograM violet
  5. Swarovski Water CrystalograM blue

The five Swarovski CrystalograM pictures were available in two different sizes, both which were Swarovski limited editions.  The smaller size was 12″ square and was limited to 4,999 units.  The larger size was 24.5

‘ square and was limited to 99 units.  The 12 CrystalograM was decorated with about 400 crystal stones retailed for approximately $350.  The 24.5″ CrystalograM was decorated with about 1200 faceted crystal stones and retailed for $5000.

All the Swarovski CrystalograMs were officially available from 1993 through 1997, however some of them may have sold out prior to that due to the limited quantity available.

While a few other CrystalograM designs have been documented, they were likely commissioned for special clients.

Swarovski CrystalograM pictures are very difficult to find.  At Crystal Exchange America, only a few have ever been listed and sold, and that was nearly a decade ago when the economy was much stronger.  During that timeframe, the smaller ones sold in the price range of $650 – $900 each.  The larger ones sold in the price range of $3000 – $3200.  If were more to be listed in our online store at www.CrystalExchange.com , the Swarovski CrystalograMs would appear in the category ‘Limited Edition Swarovski’.

Swarovski Article posted by Angie / Crystal Exchange America

Swarovski Trimlite Frosty Friends Crystal Figurines

Over the past couple months, I’ve compiled information and written about various Swarovski Trimlite collections including the Trimlite Crystal Champions and Trimlite Gnome Family.  Other Trimlite figurines exclusively featured on the Kristall Buzz include the Trimlite Hot Air Balloons, Trimlite Clowns, and Trimlite Penguins.

The Trimlite Frosty Friends has a much different look than these other collections and figurines that I’ve written about.  If a collector looks to see what the majority of Trimlite figurines have in common, it can be seen that many have a significant amount of gold-tone trim attached to the crystal components.  The Trimlite Frosty Friends have no gold-tone trim.

These Swarovski figurines, Frosty Friends are a single crystal component.  The bottom half is faceted crystal and the top half is frosted crystal.  Except for the eyes, there is nothing else attached to the single crystal component.  All five figurines measure 1″to 1.5″ in height.

There are five critters that comprise the Swarovski Frosty Friends group:

  1. Frosty Friends Duck 9430.101 / 52601. This Trimlite Duck features a frosted duck atop a clear faceted base.
  2. Frosty Friends Owl 9430.105 / 52605. This Trimlite Owl features a frosted face and clear faceted body.  (The owl is the only figurine to have colored, faceted eyes;  the others have tiny black eyes)
  3. Frosty Friends Sparrow 9430.104 / 52604. This Trimlite Sparrow features a frosted bird atop a clear faceted base.
  4. Frosty Friends Fish 9430.102 / 52602. This Trimlite Fish features a frosted fish atop a clear faceted base.
  5. Frosty Friends Chick 9430.103 / 52603. This Trimlite Chick features a frosted bird, almost like it is hatching from a clear faceted egg.

All the Swarovski Frosty Friends were introduced in 1985 and retired in 1988.  The five Frosty Friends retailed for $20 each.  To purchase any of these Trimlite figurines, a collector may have to fork out $75 to $175 for a mint condition Swarovski crystal figurine.

Originally, I thought that Frosty Friendsâ has something to do with cool weather.  However, after working on this article, looking at figurines and pictures, my conclusion is that the group got its name from the significant frosted accents on the component.

I’m not certain if this particular grouping ever had a Swarovski logo or Trimlite logo on it.  The popular Swarovski book, Warner’s Blue Ribbon Book on Swarovski, indicates that mark not visible.  However I speculate that there was not a mark at all.  Most Trimlite figurines have a T stamped in the metal, but these figurines have no metal.  Again, this unmarked figurine possibility is just my theory and it is not found to be a documented fact.

Crystal Exchange America presently has listings for the Chick (52603), Duck (52601), and Fish (52602) if you are looking to add these unusual Swarovski Trimlite figurines to your collection.  To find them, go to www.CrystalExchange.com .  Then look in the Vintage Swarovski category, Trimlite & Zales subcategory.

Swarovski Article posted by Angie / Crystal Exchange America

Swarovski Kris Bear and Swarovski Missy Mo Friendship #2

Apparently, my little Swarovski figurines are still sneaking away when I’m not paying attention to them.  My crystal friends, Missy Mo and Kris Bear have been spotted by the paparazzi again.


Swarovski Kris Bear (right) and Swarovski Missy Mo (left)

The Swarovski crystal figurines quietly told us they are still checking out Halloween costumes.  It seems clear that the two are looking for the perfect outfits for the trick or treat occasion.

Swarovski Johnny Kris Bear (right) and Swarovski Country Mo Cow (left)

In this photo, Kris Bear and Missy Mo are complimenting each other in their traditional western farming attire:  Missy Mo dressed up like a cow of all things, and Kris Bear sporting a cowboy outfit, complete with a ten-gallon, old-fashioned blue handkerchief, hat and lasso.

Crystal Exchange America has a virtual inventory of most of these Swarovski figurines:

The Swarovski Johnny Kris Bear is not available at the moment, but would be found in the category Crystal Moments.  This crystal figurine, Swarovski part # 9400 000 111 and system # 883 413, was not available for long from Swarovski, it was introduced and retired in 2007.

While only one of the Country Mos cows was pictured, they were actually sold as a set of two.  These Swarovski cows (Swarovski part #  9100 000 269  and system # 1 056 681) were only available in 2010 for a retail price of $105.  This Swarovski Limited Edition set is part of the Swarovski Lovlots family.

Now, where will Kris Bear and Missy Mo be spotted at next!  Stay tuned to the Kristall Buzz Swarovski Blog for further updates on this unlikely couple!

Swarovski Article posted by Angie / Crystal Exchange America

Swarovski Giftware Suite Letter Opener Prototype Discovered

Giftware suite was a division of Swarovski primarily in business in the 1980’s through the early 1990’s.  Giftware Suite is most well-known for the Swarovski Christmas ornaments.  However, the Swarovski Giftware Suite division can also be credited with a number of other popular crystal products, like useful desk objects.

One such crystal figure was the Swarovski Giftware Suite  Letter Opener.  The Giftware Suite letter opener was marketed and sold in three different colors: red, green and black.  All the letter openers were identified with a single Swarski part number 72809.  While I was not able to locate official introduction or retirement dates, a Swarovski Block SC logo would indicate an introduction date of 1988 or earlier.  A Swarovski Swan logo would indicate a production date 1989 or later.  And the fact that Giftware Suite seemed to cease in 1992, would indicate retirement no later than 1992.

Swarovski Giftware Suite Letter Opener

Now, with some background information about the Swarovski Giftware Suite division and Swarovski letter opener, I share the news about the letter opener prototype that arrived at Crystal Exchange America in the course of a transaction.  The letter opener was packaged in an original Swarovski box.  For the Giftware Suite products, the box was mostly white.  This Swarovski box even has the correct identification sticker on the lid. When I removed the foam and letter opener from the box, I was surprised to see that it was not painted with red or green or black trim…it was white trim.  Not knowing what to expect, I enquired to the seller for more info on this unusual color.  I learned that a family member was employed by Swarovski many, many years ago and purchased it in an employee clearance sale.  From my understanding, prototypes and discontinued figurines would sometimes be made available to employees at discounted prices, and that was how this one was acquired.  It was not clear how many Swarovski prototypes with white trim were made, but it was never produced for public distribution.

The Giftware Suite letter opener was sold separately and as a part of an executive desk set.  Other items in the executive desk set include a ball point pen, bookmark, letter opener, and card holder.

Crystal exchange America, located at www.CrystalExchange.com  has some Giftware Suite figurines available in their online store.  The Christmas Ornaments can be found in the Christmas and Ornamentt category.  The other more functional units, pendants, and key rings / key chains, can be found in the Vintage category, Giftware Suite sub-category.

Swarovski Article posted by Angie / Crystal Exchange America

Swarovski Silver Lake Crystal Birds

Swarovski has produced some very striking and brilliantly-colored birds which are a part of the Silver Lake theme group.  These four Swarovski Birds range in height of 8 to 13 inches in height and are affixed to a silver-colored chrome stands. All the colored birds in the Silver Lake collection are still current and can be purchased in the online Swarovski shoppe.

left to right: Kingfishers, Woodpeckers, Roller, Bee Eaters

 

Swarovski Kingfishers 9600 000 116 / 945 090. Anton Hirzinger designed these Swarovski birds. They were introduced in 2008 and retail for $950. These Kingfishers have golden bodies with turquoise head and wings. Swarovski also produced the Malachite Kingfishers and Up in the Trees Kingfisher, which are in the Silver Crystal product line.

Swarovski Woodpeckers  9600 000 124 / 957 562. Elisabeth Adamer created this design of the pair of woodpeckers.  They were introduced in 2009 and retailed for $1200.  They are primarily black in color with some red accents.  The other Swarovski Woodpeckers design was a crystal figurine for Swarovski SCS members in 1988.  The SCS Woodpeckers were clear birds attached to a frosted branch.

Swarovski Roller  9600 000 125 / 957 568. Anton Hirzinger is the designer credited for this design. Of all the Silver Lake birds, it is the online figurine that is not a pair of birds.  The Roller was introduced in 2009 and retailed for $950.  It has a blackish back, with blue and olive green wings.  The Swarovski Roller went on sale in May, 2011 and is now sold out in the online Swarovski shoppe.

Swarovski Bee Eaters – 9600 000 123 / 957 128. Heinz Tabertshofer is the artist of the Swarovski Bee Eaters.  These birds were introduced in 2008 and retail for $1500.  The Bee Eaters are light blue and royal blue in color accented by light green wings.  Swarovski includes smaller Bee Eaters in the Silver Crystal product line.

One unfortunate noteworthy characteristic about the Swarovski Crystal Silver Lake Birds is the fact that there is an unusually high report in the number of birds that have become detached from the silver-colored stands.  We hear that the company has been generous at reattaching all separated parts, but it does remain to be seen just how the situation may be handled once these crystal birds become retired crystal figurines.

Well these birds are quite expensive, and quite large, just like the Swarovski Crystal Paradise Birds.  Some display cases are not even capable of displaying them due to the height of the crystal figurines, so collectors may shy away from them.

If you are crystal fanatics or bird fanatics and have an incomplete collection of these Silver Lake birds, but wish to have a full set, you may wish to finalize your collection soon before the rest of them retire.  At the Crystal Exchange America web site: www.CrystalExchange.com , all these Swarovski birds can be found in the Birds category of the store.

Swarovski Article posted by Angie / Crystal Exchange America

Swarovski Crystal You and I Kris Bear Bride and Groom Variations

In 2006, Swarovski introduced a pair of crystal figurines resembling a bride and groom.  They were called Kris Bear – You and I.  This product was a pair of  clear bears with a tad bit of crystal accents.

 

 

In 2011, Swarovski has modified the bride and groom figurines to include more colored accents.  This new pair of bears was launched under a different system number.  This was nice for Swarovski crystal collectors in that there would not be two different variations to be catalogs under the same Swarovski identification numbers.

Swarovski You and I Variations

 

Swarovski Kris Bear Bride

 

Swarovski Kris Bear Bride:

  • 2006 figurine (right): kakadu red crystal with peridot and jonquil crystal bouquet.  (In English, that it pink and light green).  The bride is also wearing a clear headpiece. Swarovski system number 842936.
  • 2011 figurine (left):  violet crystal with amethyst crystal bouquet.  The bridal headpiece is also violet.  Swarovski system number 1096736.

 

 

 

Swarovski Kris Bear Groom

 

 

 

Swarovski Kris Bear Groom:

  • 2006 figurine (right):  Montana crystal bow tie. The groom is sporting a clear top hat.  Swarovski system number 842936.
  • 2011 figurine (left):  light sapphire satin crystal bow tie.  The groom is sporting a light sapphire top hat, however it appears to be a different color since the crystal hat component is much larger than the tie component.  Swarovski system number 1096736.

(The system numbers above represent the pair as the bride and groom figurines have never been available individually for purchase)

 

This gleaming couple has also undergone several name changes in the course of availability.  When the 2006 crystal figurines were launched, they were known and ‘You and I’. The couple held this name until 2009 when it was renamed ‘Bride and Groom’.  Now, in 2011 the most clear figurines have taken on their original product name of ‘You and I’.  The more colorful couple is presently known as ‘You and I’.

The most clear Swarovski You and I figurines are no longer available for sale on the Swarovski web site.  Being out of stock, and with a new version of the pair released, this likely means the original ones are retiring in 2011.

The more colorful Swarovski You and I figurines are available on the Swarovski web site.  They also retail for $165, the same price tag as their predecessors.

I personally like the name ‘Bride and Groom’.  I think it is helpful to have a product easily associated with the product name.

For Swarovski crystal fanatics who prefer the original figurine, look quickly for stores who may have older stock of the original ‘You and I’  It may not be too late to find them at this point.  Make sure you confirm with retailers the description and Swarovski identification numbers of the item you want.  Also, you will want to be certain that you receive the box with the proper identification number on the label so that you know you have original and correct packaging.

Swarovski Article posted by Angie / Crystal Exchange America

Estee Lauder Swarovski Lipstick available at Harrods in November 2011

Swarovski is appearing on more cosmetics this upcoming holiday season.  I found that Harrods will have an exclusive offering of Estee Lauder lipstick with Swarovski crystal embellished cases.

Estee Lauder Swarovski Lipsticks

 

According to my sources, this dazzling offering of lipsticks by Estee Lauder will be available only at Harrods starting in November, 2011.  There was no information available on lipstick color or if they would be some kind of limited edition.  The price, factoring in currency conversion, would be about $35 USD.

I really don’t know of that the traditional Swarovski crystal collectors would be likely to purchase the Estee Lauder lipstick just because of the crystal stones.  However, if you simply love the lipstick brand or color, the extra bling just may be something that makes you want to purchase!

Swarovski Article posted by Angie / Crystal Exchange America

Swarovski Trimlite Penguin Figurines – Crystal “Happy Feet”

I’m guessing that by now, September, 2011 many people have either heard about Happy Feet the 2006 Warner Bros movie, or more recently,  the Emperor Penguin named Happy Feet.  The recent Happy Feet story is one of an Emperor Penguin that somehow lost his way from his usual surroundings of Antarctica, ended up on the sandy beaches of New Zealand, and then became ill eating unusual things, requiring surgery and healing.

Swarovski Trimlite Pewter Penguin

Good news on September 6, Happy Feet was released into the frigid Southern Ocean waters with the hopes that he would eventually return home.  This special penguin was equipped with a tracking device for his followers to watch his journey home.  Here is the release video and more information on tracking Happy Feet’s Return to the Antarctica.

This recent event made me think of the different Swarovski penguin figurines that have been produced in the Swarovski Trimlite product line.

I think that the cutest Swarovski ‘Happy Feet’ are the Swarovski Trimlite Pewter Penguins.  Given their rarity and value, I’ll provide a bit more information these Trimlite Penguins.  The Large Pewter Penguin is 5″ tall.  It was produced 1982 through 1986.  While it originally retailed for $125, purchasing one now will likely cost $500 or more.  The Small Pewter Penguin is 3″ tall.  It was produced 1982 through 1986.  While it originally retailed for $195, purchasing one now will likely cost $500 or more.  Both these Trimlite penguin collectibles are a part of the Trimlite group “Boutiques and Paperweight”.

Crystal Exchange America presently has over 20 mint Swarovski crystal penguin figurines, including some of the rare ones, listed in their online store.  The easiest way to find them is to go to www.CrystalExchange.com and type ‘penguin’ (without quotes) in the search box to see a list of the many penguin figurines available.

Swarovski Article posted by Angie / Crystal Exchange America