Category: Kristall Buzz

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 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 Renames and Reorganizes Crystal Product Lines

Last year we heard rumors of reorganization of the product lines that they classify crystal figures into.  Examples of such product lines include Silver Crystal, Crystal Moments, Lovlots, Soulmates, and so forth.  But now, in 2013, some of those very well known names are a part of history as new product line names have officially rolled out.

There are 4 main product lines: Swarovski Symbols, Swarovski Characters, Swarovski Nature, and Swarovski Art and Statement.  There are further groupings within each of the crystal product lines.

What has to be the biggest surprise is the disappearance of the Silver Crystal name that Swarovski has become so famous for, and even trademarked.  Silver Crystal is now Crystal Nature.  Crystal Paradise has been replaced with Mother Nature.  And Soulmates has been replaced with Contemporary Nature.  These 3 groups: Swarovski Crystal Nature, Swarovski Mother Nature, and Swarovski Contemporary Nature, comprise the product line Swarovski Nature.

Swarovski Characters is a product line that is easier to decipher and understand.  Swarovski Characters consists of: Swarovski Disney figurines, Swarovski Hello Kitty figurines, and all the Swarovski Lovlots figurines.  The Lovlots group consists of: Limited Edition Mos, Emotis, Kris Bears, Bo Bears, Happy Ducks, and the families of Lovlots Pioneers, Lovlots Gang of dogs, Lovlots House of Cats, Lovlots City Park, Lovlots Circus, Lovlots Sealife, Lovlots Birds on Broadway, and new in 2013, the Lovlots Dinosaurs and Lovlots Erika and Elliot.

Swarovski Symbols seems to be more of a catch-all group for the balance of the more affordable crystal offerings.  The symbols group features 3 groups that seem fairly self explanatory:  Universal Symbols (formerly known as crystal moments), Seasonal Symbols (where it seems Swarovski is going to separate offerings that go with spring/Easter, and Christmas), and lastly Asian Symbols (for ornaments and zodiac figurines).

Swarovski Art & Statement to me, simply means things I cannot afford!  The only group in this product line is crystal myriad.  Swarovski is also using this group for other numbered limited editions.

Swarovski discusses this more in the SCS member magazine that has been recently arriving in mailboxes.  The article is on pages 30-31 in ‘ask Ann-Sophie’.

Part of me is wondering if Swarovski is dropping the term ‘Silver Crystal’ due to the change of Swarovski’s new formula….no lead, no silver?  Or perhaps that was just a coincidence?

So, prepare yourself for changes within publications, web sites, or software to see how they may deal with the changes in the Swarovski product lines!

Swarovski Article posted by Angie / Crystal Exchange America

2012 Steiff Bear Cookie, Limited Edition Bear featuring Swarovski Gingerbread Man

In July, there was a formal announcement about the 2012 Steiff Swarovski Cookie, which is a limited edition holiday teddy bear.

Limited Edition in 2012, Swarovski Steiff Bear Cookie

 

Swarovski Steiff Cookie is a limited edition bear, available only in the USA.  This exclusive Steiff Cookie has a maximum production of 1500 units, that retail at $310 each.

Cookie the Holiday Bear sports a Swarovski Twinkling Gingerbread Man around her neck, so it seems probable that Swarovski collectors and Steiff collectors will show sufficient interest for this bear to be a sell-out, though I have no facts to support this thought.

The Steiff USA web site and stores in North America are accepting orders for this Swarovski teddy bear. Sunny-Bears.com is offering Steiff Cookie at a slightly lower price during the pre-order period.

Crystal Exchange America has a few retired Swarovski Steiff bears, including Steiff Bear Crystal, Steiff Bear Jewels, Steiff Bear Poinsettia, and Steiff Bear Sapphire if you are looking for an limited edition Steiff – Swarovski Teddy Bear.

Swarovski Article posted by Angie / Crystal Exchange America

Swarovski Unicorn Stand for the SCS Unicorn (Fabulous Creatures)

The first SCS figurine in the Fabulous Creature trilogy was the Swarovski Unicorn.  Like some of the previous trilogies, Swarovski offered an optional display stand for 1996 AE crystal figurine as well.

The Fabulous Creatures Unicorn stand measures 6″ in length.  It originally retailed for $45.  The Unicorn Stand Box features a line drawing of the Unicorn, so any collector easily confirm when the stand is in the correct box.

The Swarovski Unicorn Stand is 2 colors with an opaque plastic piece for the Unicorn base.  The remainder of the Unicorn Stand is painted wood: mostly black with a forest green trim along the very bottom edge.  Trying to describe it any further would be difficult, so it is best to rely on the picture.

Swarovski SCS Unicorn Stand

 

The identification # for the Swarovski Unicorn Stand, as established in Warner’s Blue Ribbon Books on Swarovski and recognized by other professional brokers is # DO1X961S.

As time has passed, we have notice the black paint peeling or chipping on the corner edges.  This is one place in particular that crystal fanatics should look at when buying a SCS Unicorn Stand for their figurine display.

At present, there are not many SCS Unicorn Stands available on the secondary market or at auction.  Warner’s Blue Ribbon Books recommends an insurance value of $210, based on research done in January 2012.  Recent trends on the secondary market indicate trading prices in the $130 – $175.  At the online auctions, there were some completed auctions near $50 for stands, and those stands were minus original factory packaging.  In summary, the replacement value of the Swarovski Unicorn Stand will vary greatly depending on condition (good paint vs peeling paint) and whether or not original factory packaging is included.

Swarovski Article posted by Angie / Crystal Exchange America

Swarovski Unicorn – the SCS Swarovski Box (Fabulous Creatures)

The first crystal figurine in the Swarovski SCS ‘Fabulous Creatures’ trilogy was the Swarovski Unicorn.  The Unicorn is a mystical creature, the 1st non-natural figurine that Swarovski has produced for an SCS figurine.  The purpose of the Swarovski Unicorn Box  is to safely protect the crystal figurine while it is not on display.

The SCS Unicorn is the first SCS figurine to be ‘double-boxed’. The crystal Unicorn is situated in a white box, containing the SCS logo. This white box has a fuzzy green plastic liner form-fitted to the Unicorn.  The white box measures 7″ x 7″ X 3″.  The white box is placed into a larger box, held in place by foam glued to the outer box, that is approximately 10″ x 10″ x 4 ½”.   On the 4 sides of the box, in 11 different languages, the text states Annual Edition 1996 Fabulous Creatures – The Unicorn. The Fabulous Creatures Unicorn Box (meaning the set of 2 boxes) can be found using reference # DO1X961B, which was originally used in the Warner’s Blue Ribbon Books on Swarovski Price Guide.  There does not appear to be a factory-assigned identification number printed anywhere on the box, inside or outside.

Swarovski SCS Unicorn Box (Complete Packaging)

In the photo, #1 is the inner Swarovski Box for the Unicorn.  #2 is the outer Unicorn Box.  #3 shows the SCS Unicorn placed in the inner box (with the fuzzy green insert), which is located inside the padded outer box.  The slot on the left side of the outer box is to hold the Unicorn Certificate in place.

The SCS Unicorn Box is not presently available at Crystal Exchange America; It would be in the Empty Boxes category.  Previously, the SCS Unicorn packaging (includes both boxes) has sold in the $40 – $100 price range.  Collectors should use care when purchasing the Unicorn in the online auctions or after-market sales agents that they are indeed getting all original packaging, and not simply the inner box.

Swarovski Article posted by Angie / Crystal Exchange America

Swarovski Unicorn – the Swarovski COA (Fabulous Creatures)

SCS membership had significantly increased over the years…crystal fanatics were fully engulfed in collecting and secondary market values were at an all-time high in the late 1990’s, which indirectly encouraged collectors to continue spending  money  on Swarovski, especially the SCS annual editions.  The Swarovski Unicorn was well-liked and by now, collectors knew that to retain and increase in value (which was true at that time), the box and certificate must be saved and included for resale on the secondary market.

Swarovski SCS Unicorn Certificate for the 1992 Fabulous Creatures Unicorn

 

As time passed, the Swarovski annual edition certificates changed to include even more languages The Swarovski Unicorn certificate was now printed to include the ‘Certificate’ wording in eleven different languages:  English,  German, Italian, French, Dutch, Spanish, Portuguese, Russian, Flemish, Chinese, and Japanese.

The genuine Swarovski Unicorn Certificate measures 4 1/8″ wide and 8 ¼” tall.  The picture on the front of the certificate matches the picture on the Unicorn Box.

The Swarovski-assigned reference number is printed in a very small font on the back side of the certificate.  Officially, the Swarovski Unicorn certificate is DO4MM96XX. The Fabulous Creatures Unicorn Certificate can also be found using another reference # DO1X961C, which was originally used in the Warner’s Blue Ribbon Books on Swarovski insurance price guide.

SCS Swarovski Unicorn Certificate is readily available at this time at Crystal Exchange America, the range of $50 – $75. However, there is never any guarantee that the Fabulous Creatures Unicorn Certificate will be easy to find, so we do urge collectors to buy  Swarovski SCS AE figurines as a complete package including the original box and certificate.

Swarovski Article posted by Angie / Crystal Exchange America