Category: Kristall Buzz

Swarovski Optik Television Series

Being Swarovski crystal collectors, we are on top of new figurine introductions and figurine retirements.  This past spring, we’ve learned more about the Swarovski Aura Perfume venture making them more visible in the health and beauty industry.  Then early in the summer, the news was revealed about the relationship with Sanrio that the crystal giant would be launching a Swarovski Hello Kitty product line in their corporate stores.  So there have been lots of new bonds formed to expand their global presence in other areas.

Swarovski Optik has been around for years as an industry leader in high quality precision long range optics / scopes / binoculars.  Optik has now announced a partnership with Orion Multimedia, a world leader in outdoor adventure programming to produce a new television series “SWAROVSKI OPTIK QUESTS – With the Eyes of a Hawk”.  The series will travel around the globe focusing on those trophy animals in every hunter’s dream.

 

 

 

 

“SWAROVSKI OPTIK QUESTS – With the Eyes of a Hawk” will appear on the Versus network in the fall of 2011, then the episodes will re-air in the spring, 2012 on the Sportsman Channel.

For more on Swarovski Optik, visit the official site www.swarovskioptik.us .  At the web site, one can view a list of other Optik television programming.

Swarovski Article posted by Angie / Crystal Exchange America

Swarovski Black Panther NLE is available at CrystalExchange.com

The Swarovski Black Panther (Numbered Limited Edition in 2010) is a stunning sculpture by Heinz Tabertshofer .  All Black Panther figurines have a unique number engraved on the base and has the Swarovski swan logo on the back leg.  The Swarovski Black Panther weighs over 4 lbs and measures over 8″ tall.

Swarovski Limited Edition Panther

This crystal Black Panther is a Swarovski NLE, limited to 500 pieces.  It was available online only, and sold out in a mere 2 days its unveiling in the online Swarovski shoppe.  While it originally sold for just under $1000, the price quickly sky-rocketed to $3000.  Now, it is becoming even more difficult to find, and boasts prices at nearly $4000.

The Swarovski Soulmate Panther design has been a well-liked design by Swarovski crystal fanatics.  Other Soulmate Panther figurines include:

  • Soulmate Swarovski Clear Panther – 9600 000 074 / 874 337.  2007 to 2011.
  • Soulmate Swarovski Moroda Panther – 1096051.  New release in June, 2011.
  • Soulmate Swarovski Limited Edition Orange Shine Panther – 1096051.  New release in August, 2011.

If you are looking to add the Swarovski Black Panther to your collection, go to CrystalExchange.com and look in the Limited Edition Swarovski Category.

Swarovski Article posted by Angie / Crystal Exchange America

Swarovski Binoculars – Crystal Figurines and Useful Optik Binoculars

As many of us Swarovski crystal collectors know, our favorite brand is involved in many other industries than simply producing our pretty crystal figurines.  One of the divisions, Swarovski Optik, sells binoculars among its many offerings.

Swarovski Bincoluars

The binoculars on the Swarovski web site all feature the Swarovski logo used by Swarovski Optik.the Hawk. Swarovski presently features 5 pairs on their web site, ranging in price from $950 – $1700.

Swarovski Crystal Binoculars

 

One set of binoculars in particular that are of interest to Swarovski crystal fanatics is the Swarovski Crystal Binoculars – BSC107C .  This is a crystal figurine in the shape of Swarovski binoculars.  The crystal figurine is about 1 inch in length.  The story behind the figurine is that it was a display piece for Swarovski Optik retailers in Hong Kong in 1995.  These Swarovski binoculars generally sell on the secondary market for $250 – $400.

 

Crystal Moments Binoculars

 

 

Another small figurine of crystal binoculars was produced the Swarovski Crystal Moments Binoculars.  These binoculars were sold from 2000 through part of 2002.  The Swarovski identification numbers are 9460 000 099 / 243 445.   These Swarovski binoculars generally sell on the secondary market for $50 – $75.

 

 

 

For some useable Swarovski binoculars, check out the Swarovski web site in ‘Fashion Accessories’ then ‘Binoculars’.   The Swarovski Optik web site does have information on binoculars, but it is not an online store.

Swarovski Article posted by Angie / Crystal Exchange America

Swarovski Trimlite Gnome Crystal Family

Within the Swarovski Trimlite line, there were figurines produce in “The Gnome Family” group.  According to Wikipedia, gnomes are “small humanoid creatures that live underground”.  Swarovski’s artistic interpretations of gnomes are delightful little figurines have round crystal bellies with gold faces, pointed gold hats, gold arms & hands, and gold legs & feet.

Swarovski Trimlite Gnomes

The numbers in the list below correspond to the numbers in the character collage above.  The list also includes Swarovski Trimlite identification numbers:

  1. Trimlite Gnome Mama –  52801
  2. Trimlite Gnome Papa – 52802
  3. Trimlite Gnome Dancing Daughter–  52803
  4. Trimlite Gnome Laughing Sister – 52804
  5. Trimlite Gnome Brother Playing Horn – 52805
  6. Trimlite Gnome Laughing Brother – 52806

Naturally, Gnome Papa and Gnome Mama are the tallest figurines, measuring in at 3.5″ tall.  All the Trimlite Gnome children: dancing daughter, laughing sister, brother playing horn, and laughing brother are smaller, at a height of 2.5″.

What does surprise me are the introduction years of the members in the Gnome Family.  All the gnome children were introduced BEFORE the gnome parents.  The gnome children were introduced in 1983 at a retail price of $25 each.  All gnome children figurines retired in 1988.  The gnome parents were introduced in 1985 at a retail price of $50 each.  Both gnome parents figurines retired in 1988.

The Trimlite Gnome Family figurines are not the easiest figurines to find.  Crystal Exchange America has sold only 15 Gnome figurines in the 15 years they have been online selling retired Swarovski crystal.  The last ones sold early in 2009, just over $200 each.

Swarovski Article posted by Angie / Crystal Exchange America

Swarovski Designer Peter Heidegger – an artist profile by the Kristall Buzz

The crystal giant Swarovski has credited over 60 designers for their famous crystal figurines.  There are certainly many other talented individuals who contribute to these fantastic crystal designs, but generally, only a single individual is credited for the majority of the figurine designs.

Swarovski Designer
Peter Heidegger

 

Peter Heidegger followed in the footsteps of his father (who also worked for Swarovski), joining the company in 1990.  Early on, he was responsible for product and presentation displays, and later head of packaging.  (Sounds like he might have worked on Swarovski boxes ???) Peter Heidegger joined the design team in 2006.

Reading the Peter Heidegger interview on the Swarovski web site, I it seems he may be a kid at heart.  He enjoys adding humor, wit, and fantasy to his work (I interpreted this to mean ‘designs’, but I suppose this could be ‘every day job’.)  Seeing that he likes animation, I’m not a bit surprised about the cute Lovlots figurines that he is credited with  that seems like a natural fit.   He indicates he is hopeful to work on designs in the Lovlots line, Disney, and Muppets (if that would ever materialize).

 

Swarovski Koalas

Peter Heidegger has been credited with 11 Swarovski crystal figurine designs since his move to the design team within the company.  The list of designs below is ordered by launch date and consists of the Swarovski product name, then the system number.  On the line below is the year of introduction along with the Swarovski product line and group.  All these designs are still current and can be found in the online Swarovski shoppe.

  • Swarovski ‘Surprise Gift‘ – 905788
    Introduced in 2008 and in the Crystal Moments ‘Little Messengers’
  • Swarovski Koalas – 955423
    Introduced in 2009 and in the Silver Crystal ‘ Rare Encounters’
  • Swarovski Emily – 955045
    Introduced in 2009 and in the Lovlots ‘House of Cats’
  • Swarovski Max – 1039544
    Introduced in 2010 and in the Lovlots ‘City Park’
  • Swarovski Hare – 1089876
    Introduced in 2011 and in Silver Crystal ‘Peaceful Countryside’
  • Swarovski Hare (Limited Edition) – 1089977
    Introduced in 2011 and in Silver Crystal (Online Limited Edition)
  • Lovlots Dancing Horse Jade

    Swarovski Jade (Limited Edition Dancing Horse) – 1073338
    Introduced in 2011 and in the Lovlots ‘Circus’

  • Swarovski Jasmine (Dancing Horse) – 1079474
    Introduced in 2011 and in the Lovlots ‘Circus’
  • Swarovski Leo (Lion) – 1079591
    Introduced in 2011 and in the Lovlots ‘Circus’
  • Swarovski Rolly (Monkey) – 1086116
    Introduced in 2011 and in the Lovlots ‘Circus’
  • Swarovski Rosalie (Dancing Horse) – 1073336
    Introduced in 2011 and in the Lovlots ‘Circus’

Of all the Peter Heidegger designs, my favorite one is the Koalas I have always found them to be absolutely adorable. Â However, I also really like the kitty Lovlots Emily and Lovlots Jade.  I like Emily’s vibrant color with the cute butterfly resting atop her ear.  And Jade’s rainbow-like coat is magical.  Wonderful figurines Peter looking forward to seeing your more designs!

Swarovski Article posted by Angie / Crystal Exchange America

Swarovski Skull – Soulmate Crystal Figurine coming soon!

Well, we always hear of new things, sometimes strange things, being embellished with Swarovski crystal stones.

Swarovski Crystal Skull
Swarovski Soulmate Skull

Case and point, check out this human female skull, which can be found at www.swarovskicrystallhumanskullart.com

Never did I think that the crystal giant themselves would produce a Swarovski Skull figurine.  To my surprise, they have!  From information obtained from an authorized retailer, this Soulmate Skull is supposed to launch in August or September, 2011.

The Swarovski Soulmate Skull is jet hermatite (black) crystal with silver colored accents and will be available in two different sizes.  The larger of the two (Swarovski system # 1124219) is just over 4″ tall and will be in the price range of $850 – $900.  The smaller of the two (Swarovski system # 1124215) is about 2″ tall and will be in the price range of $350 – $400.

I was able to find Swarovski ‘N the Skull’ men’s jewelry and an ‘N the Skull’ keyring on the official Swarovski web site, so I believe this is a family of products.  The Swarovski N the Skull keyring (system #1111589) retails for $140.  The Swarovski N the Skull Pendant retails for $200 (system # 1111588) and Swarovski N the Skull Necklace retails for $450 (system # 1111587).

I’m not so sure that I’ll be adding this “N the Skull” figurine to my collection, but it is certainly bound to spark some conversation within the Swarovski crystal collecting community.

Swarovski Article posted by Angie / Crystal Exchange America

Swarovski Sunny Steve and Sunny Sam Crystal Happy Ducks

Swarovski produces and markets a group of crystal duck figurines in the Crystal Moments product line.  This group is called the Swarovski Happy Ducks.  Presently, there are just over 15 Happy Ducks in the Swarovski crystal badelynge.

Two of my favorites are Swarovski Sunny Steve and Swarovski Sunny Sam.  These Happy Ducks love the sun and ocean, and are enjoying their party on the beach.

Swarovski Sunny Steve (left) and Swarovski Sunny Sam (right)

Swarovski Sunny Sam was a limited edition.  The crystal brand did a one-time production run to manufacture their supply.  It was released in 2010, and as of July, 2011, it no longer appears on the Swarovski web site.  Sunny Sam’s accessories include silver ‘shades’ and a red-and-white life preserver.  The designer for Sunny Sam is Verena Castelein.  The Swarovski crystal identification numbers for Sunny Sam are 9400 000 262 / 1041295.

Swarovski Sunny Steve is a new release in 2011.  It is not presently advertised with any wording of limitations, so I assume it is a normal product release.  Sunny Steve’s accessories include a faux shark-tooth necklace, black ‘shades’, and a surfboard decorated with pastel flowers.  The surfboard includes the catchy phrase: ‘Be faster than the shark’.  The designer for Sunny Steve is Verena Castelein.  The Swarovski crystal identification numbers for Sunny Steve are 9400 000 347 / 1096743.

Both Sunny Steve and Sunny Sam retail(ed) for $120 USD.  They are both yellow (officially light topaz) in color.  Both Happy Ducks are approximately 2.25″ in length.

I think that Sunny Steve and Sunny Sam need girlfriends.  My suggestions are:

  • Sunny Sophie for Sunny Steve.  Sunny Sophie should have a beach umbrella to avoid sunburn.
  • Sunny Sirena for Sunny Sam.  Sunny Sirena should have a beach ball for more ‘fun in the sun’.

Stay cool this summer like these Swarovski Happy Ducks.I’m melting here in southwest Ohio…something like 12 consecutive days of 90 degrees Fahrenheight with a heat index over 100 degrees every day.

Check out the official Swarovski brand web site if you are looking to add Swarovski Sunny Steve to your crystal collection.  Check out the Crystal Exchange America web site in the ‘Limited Edition Swarovski’ category to find the Sunny Sam figurines available for purchase.

Swarovski Article posted by Angie / Crystal Exchange America

Swarovski Foals Playing – a colorful variation of the ‘Foals’ Crystal Horses

Horse fanatics and crystal fanatics will be happy to hear that our favorite crystal brand is coming out with a colored version of the Foals crystal figurine called Swarovski Foals Playing in the fall!

Swarovski Foals

First, I’m going to tell you about the Swarovski Foals.  These sweet baby horses were designed by Martin Zendron.  They were introduced in 2003 and presently retail for $380.  These clear crystal horses have frosted accents for the horses’ manes and tails.

What I found on two different sites is a colorful variation of the Swarovski Foals. The crystal figurine is called Swarovski Foals Playing.  The Foals Playing is an identical design to the Foals, except that one of the baby horses is like a coffee-brown in color.  Even the clear horse has the brownish accents on the mane and tail.  The Swarovski system # for the new figurine is 1121627.

Since the Foals are in the Peaceful Countryside theme group, I am assuming that the new Foals Playing will be in the same theme group.  My source web sites indicate that this figurine will be available near September, 2011.

The veteran designer Martin Zendron is credited with several other Swarovski Horse figurines:

When Crystal Exchange America has listings for this baby horses Swarovski Foals Playing figurine, it will be found in the Animals category of the online store: www.CrystalExchange.com

Swarovski Article posted by Angie / Crystal Exchange America

Swarovski Nirvana Ring Secret Revealed

After writing the last post about the crystal giant’s Swarovski Nirvana Ring secret, I thought it best to share the answer with our Swarovski crystal friends sooner rather than later.

The hidden Symbol in the Nirvana ring is a heart.  If you look into a Nirvana Ring from above you will see a heart – the Symbol of love.

 

Swarovski Nirvana Ring

I can only wonder if this was by-design, or if it was notice later in the production life cycle.  I tend to believe that the crystal heart shape was planned in the design.  Hope you enjoyed  the Swarovski crystal mystery question!

Swarovski Article posted by Angie / Crystal Exchange America

Swarovski Nirvana Ring Secret

Earlier this month, I posted information about the Swarovski Nirvana Ring Sweepstakes.

Swarovski Nirvana Ring

While I was doing some research for the post, I found that the crystal brand had run another Swarovski Nirvana Ring contest, which ended in June, 2011.

The contest question was something like ‘What is the secret behind the 93 facets of the Nirvana Ring?‘  The good news is that I have the answer and I will gladly share it with our Swarovski fanatics friends in a few days.

The secret is interesting!  In the meantime, good luck with this Swarovski crystal mystery question!

Swarovski Article posted by Angie / Crystal Exchange America