I’m going to cover some more acronyms used in advertising crystal that is for sale primarily in the online auctions. While the many seasoned Swarovski Crystal collectors understand the acronyms, there are still a lot of people buying and selling Swarovski who truly do not understand the commodity at hand. So, I thought I’d do my best to explain the acronyms and offer cautions on the use of them.
Swarovski SCS – Swarovski Crystal Society. This is the Swarovski Clubthat collectors can optionally join. Membership is approximately $55 USD per year. Swarovski SCS members receive a subscription to the Swarovski magazine and have the privilege of purchasing the Swarovski Annual Edition crystal figurine online or from a retail store. (Following the explanation of Swarovski AE below, I have provided a list of the Swarovski SCS figurines and years they were released.) Swarovski AE – Swarovski Annual Edition. Annual edition means that it is available for one year only. When a Swarovski collector refers to an Annual Edition, they typically mean the Swarovski SCS figurine for Swarovski Club members or perhaps the annual edition Christmas ornaments. The following Swarovski SCS crystal figurines are annual editions:
In many cases, Swarovski SCS figurines are Swarovski AE figurines. However, Swarovski AE figurines are not necessarily Swarovski SCS figurines. One thing for certain to keep in mind is that Swarovski SCS figurines definitely have special Swarovski Certificates. Swarovski AE figurines may or may not have a special certificate. Be careful if you see contradictory information (for example an auction for a Swarovski AE states Swarovski Certificate included, but shows an image of the generic product booklet). Locating and purchasing a special AE certificate can be difficult and expensive (yes, expensive for a few page pamplet). When the transaction is completed the buyer needs to be satisfied with the merchandise being offered and final winning bid.
I have learned about another ‘gift with purchase’ item available to Swarovski SCS club members: a Siku Polar Bear print.
Swarovski SCS Siku Polar Bear Picture
This polar bear picture is 7.5″ wide x 5.5″ high, including the lavender matte frame. The picture is a hand-drawn polar bear. It features a facsimile signature of Anton Hirzinger, the Swarovski designer credited with the creation of the 2011 SCS Siku. The Swarovski system # for the Siku print is 1271720.
Swarovski club members who purchase a Swarovski figurine in early 2011 may receive the SCS Siku print. It is my understanding that some retailers offer the Siku print as a gift with purchase, while others have the SCS Arctic Flower jewelry purse. So, if you are specifically wanting the Siku polar bear print or the SCS Arctic Flower purse, be sure to check with the retailer to ensure that the free gift is the one you want for your collection.
For nearly a decade, Swarovski has been hosting instant redemption events at Swarovski stores in February. This year, the dates have been set for the 4th week of February (February 18 – February 25) and it is a big week for Swarovski crystal collectors. During this week, over 160 Swarovski retailers in the USA will host Swarovski SCS retail receptions.
These receptions offer special opportunities to Swarovski Club members and crystal collectors who are considering to join the SCS (Swarovski Crystal Society). One of the many benefits of attending a Swarovski retail reception includes the ability to purchase the 2011 SCS Siku available for immediate take-home. Other SCS exclusives will be on hand for purchase too. These crystal exclusives may include:
2011 SCS Polar Bear Cubs, Crystal Moonlight
2011 SCS Polar Bear Cubs, White Opal
2011 CS Arctic Flower Pendant
2011 SCS Arctic Pierced Earrings
2011 CS Arctic Bracelet
2011 SCS Arctic Ballpoint pen (with the small Arctic Flower charm)
There are also unique ‘Swarovski Event’ pieces that are available during this special redemption period. For 2011, the Swarovski Event piece is the Arctic Hare. The Swarovski system number of the Arctic Hare is 1055005. The Swarovski Designer is Anton Hirzinger. The approximate price of the crystal figurine is $110.
The complete list of participating Swarovski retailers for the February
Swarovski has made available to instant redemption Swarovski club members the SCS arctic flower jewelry purse. This jewelry purse is lavender in color and features a white arctic flower design along with “SCS 2011″ on the front. The SCS arctic flower purse has a zipper closure and is approximately 2 1/2” in diameter.
Swarovski SCS Arctic Flower Purse
Swarovski club members who purchase the Swarovski SCS Siku in early 2011 at an instant redemption event may receive the SCS arctic purse. It is my understanding that supplies are limited and cannot be restocked once gone.
There are other SCS crystal creations that capture the arctic flower design:
SCS arctic flower pendant
SCS arctic flower pierced earrings
SCS arctic flower bracelet
SCS arctic flower ballpoint pen
SCS arctic flower window ornament
I was able to find a listing for this item on eBay for any collectors wanting this item that are not in the official SCS Swarovski club: Swarovski SCS Arctic Flower Jewelry Purse.
The Swarovski Arctic Flower Jewelry Purse looks cute. The size seems a bit small to me. It would be nice to see a credit card size zipper purse (to stuff more things in), along with a few crystal embellishments. Cha ching! Guess bigger and sparklier means more money. Just a thought (in case Swarovski is seeking suggestions from Swarovski Crystal collectors!)
This morning I found the Swarovski Crystal SCS Polar Bear Video on the Swarovski web site, it appears to be unavailable now.
Swarovski SCS Polar Bear Video on YouTube:
The Swarovski 2011 Annual Edition SCS Polar Bear Siku and Polar Bear Cubs were designed by Anton Hirzinger. The video on the Swarovski web site is awesome. It opens with a beautiful view of the Artic region where polar bears live. As a polar bear stroll by in the snow in the tundra, his breath is visible and revels the frigid temperature in the air. The video continues emphasizing the SCS Annual Edition Siku, the companion SCS Polar Bear cubs, and the Swarovski designer doing some sketching.
Also highlighted in the video are the SCS accessories for this year 2011: SCS Arctic Flower Pendant, the SCS Artic Flower Ornament (which is the member gift), and the SCS Ballpoint Pen. (The SCS Arctic Pierced Earrings were not shown in the video.)
For 2011, the SCS title plaque for the Polar Bear Siku is included in the box. A pair Swarovski gloves, a helpful accessory for the crystal figurine, is also integrated with the purchase. As always, there is an official Swarovski Certificate for the Annual Edition crystal figurine.
I’m looking forward to the arrival of the Swarovski SCS Siku and Polar Bear Cubs into my Swarovski collection!
The Swarovski SCS 2011 Polar Bears and Polar Bear cubs can now be found on the Swarovski web site and Swarovski Crystal Society members should be able to order them from their favorite retailer or from the online store very soon.
Polar Bear and Polar Bear Cub
Swarovski Polar Bear Siku
Swarovski Polar Bear Cubs (Crystal Moonlight)
Swarovski Polar Bear Cubs (White Opal)
I inquired to the company as to why the cubs were not offered as a mixed set, and learned some new facts about polar bear cubs! Apparently, polar bear cubs are typically born in pairs, hence the logic offering a pair to SCS members. Furthermore, polar bear cubs are normally “whiter” than their “yellowish” parents, so that is why one of the sets is being offered in “white opal”. The “crystal moonlight” cubs, do not follow nature’s coloring for polar bear cubs, but are available to SCS members for those who prefer cubs to match the Swarovski SCS 2011 Polar Bear.
I thought this was quite interesting! I wonder which set will be most popular…..or if Swarovski Crystal Society members will end up purchasing BOTH $$ sets???
2011 is officially here and I’d like to wish a Happy New Year to all Swarovski crystal fanatics collectors!
I’m excited to have a photo of the Swarovski Polar Bear Cubs to contrast the two Swarovski crystal finishes.
Swarovski Polar Bear Cubs for 2011
The ‘Crystal Moonlight’ Polar Bear Cub is shown on the left. The ‘White Opal’ Polar Bear Cub is shown on the right. I want to stress that the Cubs CANNOT be purchased as shown. This is an illustration only for collectors to be able to see the differences between the coloration if they cannot personally view them prior to placing an order.
The ‘Crystal Moonlight’ cubs are designed to match the Polar Bear Siku.
The Swarovski system number for the ‘White Opal’ Cubs is 1080774. The Swarovski system number for the ‘Crystal Moonlight’ Cubs is 1079156. (It’s a good thing the system numbers are substantially different to avoid ordering confusion.)
The Polar Bear Cubs are optional accessories to go along with the 2011 SCS Polar Bear Siku. Each Polar Bear Cub pair retails for $350, so I’m curious to know the statistics of Swarovski SCS members that purchase both pairs. Or….if a Swarovski collector chooses to purchase only one pair, will it be the ‘Crystal Moonlight’ or the ‘White Opal’ set?
2011 will arrive within minutes. “Endangered Wildlife”, the final Swarovski SCS Club trilogy, will be concluded as we Swarovski crystal fanatics anxiously await the arrival of Swarovski 2011 SCS Polar Bear Siku to our displays.
The Swarovski 2010 Annual Edition was the Tiger. The Swarovski Tiger retailed for $450. Swarovski also offered separate tiger cubs to its Swarovski SCS members. The Swarovski Standing Tiger Cub retailed for $180. The Swarovski Sitting Tiger Cub also retailed for $180.
The Swarovski 2010 Annual Edition Tiger, Standing Tiger Cub, and Sitting Tiger Cub were designed by Elisabeth Adamer. The Swarovski video on youtube briefly shows the Swarovski designer and how she began he journey into the development of this Swarovski figurine for the Swarovski Crystal Society members.
Crystal Exchange America commonly has additional information about the 2010 Swarovski Tiger.
Since I like felines, both domestic and wild, I’m delighted with the design and that I have the 2010 SCS Tiger in my Swarovski crystal collection.
Happy New Year to all Kristall Buzz readers and Swarovski collectors!
The Swarovski trilogy, “Endangered Wildlife”, is the final trilogy for Swarovski crystal SCS members. With 2011 literally right around the corner, I thought this was a good time to celebrate the last series made and make ways for the new Swarovski SCS Polar Bear Siku.
The 2008 Annual Edition was the Swarovski Pandas. The SCS Pandas were packaged with a mother and young cub. Swarovski also offered a separate cub to its Swarovski SCS members. The panda pair retailed for $450. The separate panda cub retailed for $180.
Now, two years later, it does seem that this Swarovski crystal annual edition is selling for prices higher than original retail. For transactions completed in December, 2010, the Swarovski Pandas are closing at prices from $650 – $800. The Swarovski Panda cub transactions are completing in the price range of $225 – $275. This is good news for Swarovski crystal fanatics who may have purchased duplicate sets of these crystal figurines.
The Swarovski SCS 2008 Annual Edition Pandas and Panda cub were designed by Heinz Tabertshofer. Swarovski created a video, where I found it on youtube, that shows the Swarovski designer and how he was inspired by pandas in action.
Crystal Exchange America frequently has listings for the 2008 SCS Swarovski Pandas.
The Swarovski SCS Pandas from 2008 are annual editions that I am happy to have in my Swarovski crystal collection.
Since 2011 is only hours away, I thought this was a good time to rejoice and remember the final Swarovski trilogy, “Endangered Wildlife” and look forward to the new Swarovski 2011 SCS Polar Bear Siku.
The Swarovski Gorillas were the 2009 Annual Edition pair. The 2009 Annual Edition was the Swarovski Gorillas. The SCS Gorillas were packaged with a mother and young cub. Swarovski also offered a separate cub to its Swarovski SCS members. The gorilla set retailed for $475. The separate gorilla cub retailed for $180.
Now, a year after the SCS Gorillas retired, it does seem that this Swarovski crystal annual edition is still popular with Swarovski collectors. For transactions completed in December, 2010, the Swarovski Gorillas are closing at prices from $350 – $600. The Swarovski Gorilla cub transactions were not plentiful and completed transactions were below original retail price.
The Swarovski 2009 Annual Edition Gorillas and Gorilla cub were designed by Anton Hirzinger. The Swarovski video on youtube briefly shows the Swarovski designer and how he was inspired by gorillas in their natural setting.
Crystal Exchange America commonly has listings for the 2009 SCS Swarovski Gorillas.
I’m pleased that the SCS Gorillas from 2009 are a part of my Swarovski crystal collection.
