Ever wanted to know more about early Swarovski crystal released? Seeking Swarovski pictures, release and retirement dates? The Swarovski Wall of Fame, right on the Swarovski web site, may be insightful to any Swarovski crystal collector.
To begin with, the Swarovski Wall of Fame is organized by the ‘year of introduction’. The first year of any Swarovski crystal figurine documented in the Wall of Fame is 1976, and naturally, all years through 2011 have an entry in the Wall of Fame. In 1976, the inaugural year of the Silver Crystal product line, the majority of the Swarovski figurines were candleholders, mouse (2 sizes), hedgehog, (2 sizes), and several paperweights.
Swarovski crystal figurines included in the Wall of Fame detail: Swarovski figurine name, year of introduction, year of retirement, Swarovski part number or system number (not both), and Swarovski Designer. Product sizes / dimensions are not included. Candleholder names (associating a particular candleholder to a Swarovski part number) are not included for early releases.
So what else should you know about the Swarovski Wall of Fame? USA only issues will not be found here for example, the Gold Bee, or the King Hedgehog. The various colors of Swarovski paperweights are not found, only the shape. Variations of figurines are also not documented, i.e. the different tail styles of the Large Cat.
Swarovski SCS members have 2 more added benefits to using the Wall of Fame. SCS members can also keep a virtual inventory of their personal collection. When using this feature, collectors may add pieces to any of 5 configurable collections. The platform allows collectors to save the purchase price and 100-character note with the figurine information. The platform does not allow for duplicates (i.e. you want to add 2 Swarovski Charming Mos), so that is something that could be included in the note field. SCS members have the ability to print their collection(s). The printed collection includes a figurine photo, name, years available, identification number, collection name assigned to it, acquisition price, and any personal note for the item.
The platform also allows SCS members to create a screensaver that features the Swarovski figurines saved to a collection. (While this did indeed sound interesting to me, I did not wish to experiment with it, to then have to restore my desktop or screen saver to my present settings.)
Other internet resources that include Swarovski crystal figurine details include RetiredSwarovski.com and WBRBOnline.com. RetiredSwarovski.com includes many products lines (not just the Silver Crystal and Christmas Ornament lines like the Wall of Fame). The fact sheets on the site are FREE and printable. Swarovski Crystal product information on the free fact sheet includes: Swarovski Name, Swarovski Part Number and System Number, Swarovski Designer, Year Introduced, Year Retired, and a small photo of the Swarovski figurine. RetiredSwarovski.com does not feature current products only Swarovski crystal that is retiring soon or has retired. It also does not have any features to allow personal collections to be saved.
WBRBOnline.com has many products across all product lines, over 2800 as of May, 2011. It includes current and retired products. It also includes USA only Swarovski figurines and variations of figurines. The FREE data included in the Swarovski crystal product search are: Name, Part Number, System Number, Swarovski Designer, Status (Current or Retired), and Theme Group. A subscription to the Swarovski Database is required in order to view the crystal dimensions, year introduced, year retired, original MSR price, Swarovski Value (ERV), Swarovski Logo, brief description, and Swarovski Photo. It also does not have any features to allow personal collections to be saved.
All these resources will be helpful to Swarovski crystal collectors looking for information on figurines produced 1976 through present. Happy Swarovski crystal collecting!
