Luxury brands are constantly coming up with new ideas to spark loyal customer interest. In February, 2011, the Kristall Buzz featured an article about Limited Edition Swarovski Ugg Boots. Today, I found news that the famous boot maker Ugg is again using Swarovski crystal stones to decorate their most comfortable boots Ugg is launching Wedding Day Boots and Wedding Day Flip Flops!
Ugg Wedding Day Footwear
Ugg will have 2 ankle boot styles: Sparkles and Baily Bling. Sparkles will be decorated with pink and white sequins. Sparkles will retail for $190. But, here we go..Bailey Bling will be decorated with Swarovski crystal stones on the button! Bailey Bling will retail for $225. Fluff are the furry flip-flops that will retail for $80.
Swarovski Ugg Bailey Bling
All 3 footwear products will have light blue soles, just in case that bride forgets her ‘something blue’ in her wedding day attire.
More information can be found on Ugg Austrailia web site, as well as the ability to make your purchase now:
I can’t honestly see a bride or the wedding party wearing Swarovski Ugg Boots during the wedding, but to each their own. I think the flip-flops would feel nice on a bride’s feet during the reception, and who would even know as more often than not, their beautiful wedding gown hides their feet.
Hopefully the bride and groom will have some Swarovski Crystal figurines in their bridal registry too!
While I was doing research for the article on Swarovski Car figurines, I found that since the production of ‘Ultimate Corvette featuring Swarovski Crystals’ there have been other automobile and motorcycle figurines embellished with Swarovski crystals on the Franklin Mint web site! There is a complete article about the Swarovski Corvette here on the Kristall Buzz.
Swarovski 1933 Duesenberg
The Ultimate 1933 Duesenberg Twenty Grand featuring Swarovski Crystals is a Limited Edition car, with only 100 Swarovski Duesenberg units produced. This Swarovski car has approximately 12,000 hand-set crystal stones. At the Franklin Mint web site, it had a retail price of $1495. While it appears to be sold out there, I did find a couple on ebay at the original MSRP: Swarovski Duesenberg on eBay**.
Swarovski 1966 Shelby Cobra
The Ultimate 1966 Shelby Cobra 427 S/C featuring Swarovski Crystals is a Limited Edition car, with only 100 Swarovski Shelby Cobra units produced. This sparkly Cobra has over 6,000 hand-set Swarovski crystal stones. This dazzling card is available at the Franklin Mint web site at $1295 or the purchase price can be broken down into 3 lower payments.
Swarovski 2006 Softail Classic Harlely Davidson
The Ultimate 2006 Harley-Davidson Softail Classic with Swarovski Crystals is a Limited Edition motorcycle, with only 100 Swarovski Harley Davidson units produced. This Swarovski motorcycle also appears to be sold out as the Franklin Mint web site indicates that they are accepting backorders. This Swarovski Crystlized motorcycle has over 3900 hand-set Swarovski crystals. If an interested individual wants this item, I’d suggest this Swarovski Harley Davidson on eBay**, which is still at the original MSRP of $995.
**I do not know the eBay sellers and am not vouching for them. Interested buyers should thoroughly check out any seller they are considering to do business with. The links were provided for reference only.
The Franklin Mint web site is one that I’ll have to bookmark and watch for future dazzling Limited Edition car and motorcycle figurines decorated with thousands of Swarovski Crystal stones! I wonder which Swarovski car or Swarovski motorcyle will be next?
The Sunday just prior to Memorial Day is always a big race day: the infamous Indy 500, and the longest NASCAR race…the Coca-Cola 600.
Congratulations to Dario Franchitti winning his third Indy 500 race (he also won in 2007 and 2010).
And congratulations to Kasey Kahne winning his third Coca Cola 600 race (he also won in 2006 and 2008)
When I think about the fast cars in these popular racing events, I also think about the crystal cars that Swarovski has produced.
While the crystal brand never sold and marketed them, the Swarovski Porsche cars were available at Porsche dealerships. There were eight different Swarovski car model replicas produced from 2002 through 2007.
Swarovski Porsche Carrera GT, Limited Edition of 1500
The crystal brand did offer the Swarovski Old Timer Automobilefrom 1989 through 1995. It was designed by Gabriele Stamey. The official identification numbers for this crystal car figurine are: 7473 000 001 and 151 753. While the Swarovski Old Timer Auto originally retailed for $150, at present day, it typically trades in the $95 to $125 price range.
Swarovski Old TImer Automobile
Crystal Exchange America does have a number of these retired Swarovski Car figurines available in their online store. At their store web site, www.crystalexchange.com, go to the Other Silver Crystal category, then the sub-category Transportation.
Yesterday was the Kentucky Derby and I thought it would seem most fitting to write about Swarovski Horses! First, congratulations to I’ll Have Another and the entire team for this amazing race horse for successfully taking the win in the The Run for the Roses! I read in one article that the name origin for “I’ll Have Another” stems from the owner’s wife baking chocolate chip cookies, and the owner’s response to the cookies saying “I’ll Have Another“. (Must be yummy cookies!)
Here is a bit of information horse terminology. There are 3 types of horses the Stallion, the Mare, and the Foal. A Filly and a Colt are both Foals.
Our favorite crystal brand has produced a number of Swarovski Horse figurines. Kristall Buzz contains an article about Swarovski Stallion figurines, which includes the Swarovski Amurath, Swarovski Arabian Stallion, Swarovski White Stallion, Swarovski Stallion, and Swarovski Satin Stallion.
The crystal company also produced a Mare figurine, which is now retired. The Swarovski Mare was designed by Stefanie Nederegger and available from 2006 through 2011. The crystal mare was about 5.5 inches long and originally retailed for $380.
The crystal giant has also produced 2 different foals figurines: Swarovski Foals and Swarovski Foals Playing. The clear Swarovski Foals were available 2003 through 2011. The colorful Swarovski Foals launched in 2011, in effect replacing the clear variety. Both Foals products were designed by Martin Zendron.
Another retired figurine is Swarovski The Horse. Mario Dilitz is the credited for this figurine that was available from 2004 through 2006. Part of the (no longer used theme group) Symbols, this crystal horse was about 5.5 inches tall and originally retailed for $385.
Trying to mention ALL the Swarovski crystal horse figurines, the crystal brand also produced some solid-colored horses in the Circus group. Below the list includes Swarovski product name, product identification numbers, years available, and original retail price (since many are still available).
The Swarovski Lovlots Horses wered designed by Peter Heidegger. These Lovlots Horses include:
Swarovski Chinese Zodiac Horse, Large – 9100 000 267 / 1 055 509. 2009 – current, MSR $910.
The grand-daddies of Swarovski Horse figurines are the Swarovski Amurath and the Swarovski NLE Wild Horses. Both the Swarovski Crystal Myriad and Wild Horses are Swarovski Numbered Limited Editions. While the Amurath was limited to only 300 units world-wide, it did have a retail price tag of $8000 compared to an SCS LE, which was limited to 10,000 units-worldwide and a retail price tag of $4000.
Many of these Swarovski Horse figurines can be found on either the crystal brand’s official web site or at www.CrystalExchange.com, a web site that focuses mostly on retired and limited edition Swarovski crystal.
The Swarovski Wild Horses were the third Swarovski NLE produced for SCS members, available in 2001. This Swarovski masterpiece celebrated 25 years for the Swarovski Silver crystal product line. The Swarovski Limited Edition Wild Horses are my favorite of the NLE that was produced by the crystal giant.
Swarovski Numbered Limited Edition Wild Horses
The NLE Wild Horses were designed by Martin Zendron, who is credited with over 80 figurines to date. The Swarovski Wild Horses were a result researching and watching mustangs in North America and horses in the Austrian Alps.
10,000 Swarovski Wild Horses were produced, along with 150 production samples. This Swarovski NLE was the first NLE to utilize frosted accents. Frosting was used on the manes and tails, along with the flat base that the pair of clear horses is attached to. The 2001 Wild Horses is just over 13″ long and is about 5 1/2″ tall. Swarovski assigned the part number 7607 000 003 and system number 236 720 to the 2001 Wild Horses.
Like all the previous Swarovski NLE, the Wild Horses came in a grey leather-like suitcase, with gloves and a cleaning cloth. This suitcase lock for this figurine does not use a key like previous NLE cases (Eagle and Peacock). This was more convenient to avoid issues with key loss, as well as it being more secure with 2 separate latches. Additionally, this figurine is accompanied by an official signed Swarovski certificate that includes the unique sequence number that matches the laser-engraved number in the base of the Wild Horses. A full color presentation book was also included in the box
The Wild Horses has a separate black wooden stand to make the figurine a bit more stable. Swarovski also used the concept of a separate display stand for 4 NLE. (I never cared for the display stands as this blocked light in my crystal cabinet making it more difficult to enjoy figurines displayed on shelves below the stands.)
The Numbered Limited Edition Swarovski Wild Horses had the 2nd highest original MSRP of $4000, outdone only by the Swarovski NLE Rhinoceros in 2008 at $4125. On the secondary market, the Wild Horses is out-performing all the other Swarovski NLE, presently selling at $3900 – $4700 for recent transactions.
If you want to own the unique Swarovski crystal masterpiece, the Swarovski Wild Horses, available only to SCS members in 2001, Crystal Exchange America does have a few available. Simply visit their online store at www.CrystalExchange.com and then navigate to the Collector Society / SCS category, then SCS Annual & Limited Editions.
In 1995, Swarovski produced one of its first numbered limited edition figurines, the Swarovski Limited Edition Eagle. My parents were charter SCS members and I remember them being notified of the exclusive offer available to USA collectors, the opportunity to purchase this figurine at a retail price of $1750. Within hours of the notification, they rushed to the local FedEx facility and overnighted the required paperwork and payment, after all, there were only 2900 of 10,000 allocated to the USA SCS members…who wouldn’t be in a rush?
1995 Limited Edition Swarovski Eagle
Meanwhile, it seems that all other areas of the crystal-collecting world had little to no restrictions for consumers. While it is unclear how many were reserved for the various markets, in Canada and in Europe, there was no prerequisite for the paying customer to be an SCS member, nor any rule indicating that there was only one Swarovski Eagle per customer. So, in 1995, in other regions, anyone could walk into a store that had the Numbered Limited Edition Eagle and purchase 2 or 3 if the store had them available. While the purchase process was quite select in the USA, leading collectors to think this was perhaps a premium offering, that was not quite the case. And in 1995, with the internet still in infancy, no one knew any different.
The Swarovski Limited Edition Eagle sold out in the USA very quickly. USA Swarovski collectors who pondered the opportunity to purchase most likely missed out. Secondary market prices began to rise quickly. By 1998 / 1999, the Swarovski Eagle was selling in the $6500 – $7500 price range. Prices settled down, and remained steady at $4900 – $5500 2003 through 2005.
Unglued Swarovski Limited Edition 1995 Eagle
Around 2002, we began hearing stories, and experiencing first hand, feathers detaching from the wings, wings detaching from bodies, and bodies detaching from bases. For the most part, this was an issue of the glue letting loose and mostly occurring during shipping. The damage to the Swarovski Eagle became a bigger problem when shipping carriers (US Mail, UPS, FedEx, etc) would deny claims since this was likely a manufacturer issue, not a rough handling issue. But when little feathers detached and would rattle around inside the box, many feathers and other crystal components became nicked and chipped, ultimately leaving very little worth or salvage to the remainder of the Limited Edition Eagle.
So about this time, Crystal Exchange America changed their policies on selling Eagles. The Swarovski Numbered Limited Edition Eagle would have to be personally delivered or personally picked up to avoid the Eagle from becoming damaged. If delivered, the company would basically buy a contractor a seat on a plane, arrange a meeting place and time for the contractor and buyer to meet for the exchange, and fly the contractor home. Crystal Exchange America continued selling the Swarovski Eagle in this fashion until 2008.
In 2008, Crystal Exchange America ceased selling the Swarovski Eagle. More and more eagles were coming unglued in display cases, as well as inside the manufacturer packaging. The risk was simply far too great that something would go awry on such a high dollar figurine. Also, in 2007 and 2008 Swarovski Eagle prices dropped dramatically, with an average selling price of just under $4000.
Why does the unglue issue occur on the Swarovski 1995 Eagle? I believe there are two main reasons.
Less was known about the adhesive and its long-term bonding on very large figurines. Remember…this was the biggest figurine ever produced.
There was such little surface area to glue, that makes it more difficult to maintain a strong bond.
So, now, in 2012, what is happening with the 1995 Limited Edition Swarovski Eagle? I checked eBay, and there are only a few completed sales on them, with prices ranging $2400 – $2900. Prices seem quite low these days. If you are a Swarovski crystal collector, I’d suggest purchasing the Swarovski Limited Edition 2011 Bald Eagle instead…I would not recommend buying the 1995 Eagle since the detaching is quite wide-spread at this point. It does not matter if the Eagle is on display or safely stored in its shipping suitcase, detachment is a serious problem and concern for such an expensive figurine.
If you have the 1995 Limited Edition Eagle, and it is no longer intact, you can contact www.TCWizard.com for a reglue quote. The Crystal Wizard can re-assemble the 1995 Limited Edition Eagle with proper factory adhesive so that it does look brand new again.
We frequently hear stories of collectors pulling them out of storage thinking they’ve got to be worth $10,000 or more by now. Sadly, when they phone us about selling, they get the unexpected news that the value is far, far less. And the news gets worse, when they physically remove it from the case, and the Swarovski 1995 Eagle is broken or comes apart. At that point, we can only suggest they sell it damaged / as is, or pay for a professional to reglue the entire figurine.
While this article is not one of a positive nature, I hope that it does provide some insight if you are considering to purchase the 1995 Swarovski NLE Eagle or that it offers an alternative if yours is not whole that you may have options so that it could be beautifully displayed in your case.
Crystal Exchange America recently sold a Swarovski Trimlite Alligator for the attractive price of $75! Swarovski collectors know that the Trimlite figurines are some of the more difficult pieces to find, so finding one at this price was a plus!
Swarovski has produced two crystal alligators that I am familiar with:
Trimlite Alligator by SwarovskiTrimlite Alligator BellySwarovski Trimlite Chandelier Body, Trimlite Logo
Trimlite Alligator – 52504. This Swarovski Alligator was produced 1982 through 1988 and originally retailed for $18. The Trimlite Alligator is just under 2.5″ long. It has a clear crystal stone for the body, with a lot of gold-colored trim, which is typical of the Trimlite product line. The body stone for the alligator is a former chandelier component. The hole for the component is highlighted in the photo. The Trimlite logo T is stamped into the underside of the alligator head metal and is also highlighted in the same photo. The year 1982 is stamped below the Trimlite T.
Swarovski Silver Crystal Alligator
Silver Crystal Swarovski Alligator – 7661 000 005 / 221 629. This Swarovski Alligator was produced 1998 through 2004 and originally retailed for $75. The Silver Crystal Alligator is approximately 3″ long. The head, body, legs, and tail are all clear crystal. This alligator figurine has the Swarovski Swan logo on it.
I don’t know of any alligator collectors, but if you are, Crystal Exchange America still has a couple of all-crystal (Silver Crystal product line) alligators still available in their online store. Swarovski Alligator figurines are located within the Animals category of the store.
Yesterday, I found an update on the crystal brand’s web site regarding the launch date of the upcoming Limited Edition Swarovski Bubble Mo. The company has announced to its SCS members that the 2012 Limited Edition Bubble Mo will be available for purchase in the online shoppe May 29.
Swarovski Bubble Mo, Lovlots Blue Cow Limited Edition 2012
Swarovski Lovlots Bubble Mo is about 1″ in height. The company uses these colors in their official product description: Scuba Blue, Air Blue Opal, and Lavender crystal. Swarovski mentions that the laser engraved bubbles are symbolic of bubbles of joy in the SCS news, and calls them bubbles of excitement in the product description.
Swarovski states in their announcement, that the Swarovski Bubble Mo blue cow figurines will be limited to 10 per person. But don’t forget, there is only one Swarovski certificate per online order (modification in 2011), so if you desire a certificate for each Limited Edition Bubble Mo (which may not be a bad idea at all!), collectors should purchase one Bubble Mo per order. Just remember, if you order one crystal figurine per order, additional shipping charges may be applied to the order.
The Swarovski Lovlots Bubble Mo (blue cow) and Swarovski Lovlots Lucky Mo (green cow) are both Limited Editions that are only available in 2012, hence retiring at the end of the year if not sold out prior to that date. There are about 15 Swarovski Lovlots figurines that are retiring in 2012. Other Lovlots may be slated for retirement later in the year, but those figurines (if any) have not yet been announced. These Swarovski Lovlots Retirements can be found at www.RetiredSwarovski.com in the Swarovski Lovlots product line (down the left side of the browser window).
Several weeks ago, I wrote a post about the pros and cons of Swarovski Discounts and how discount prices relate to the Swarovski Warranty policy. In a very brief summary, the article basically states that if you buy your crystal figurines online from a discount source (not an authorized retailer with a brick and mortar store), you may very well have sacrificed the post-sale service and ability to use the warranty service if the figurine should have defects or accidentally break.
Several days after the post, I received an email from a Swarovski boutique manager with his perspective about the crystal brand’s warranty policy changes. With the author’s permission, his email is being posted for collectors to consider the Swarovski discounts and Swarovski warranty from a different angle…..
As a Swarovski Boutique Store Manager for many years,
my perception of recent changes to the repair process, as distributed to Swarovski Boutiques, seems more accommodating to clients. Prior to the recent guidelines, customers were asked to contact customer service directly if an exchange or refund could not be made in the store.
Consumers were responsible for calling customer service and mailing a package themselves, once the return authorization paperwork was received. The present guideline for repair allows consumers to bring a qualifying item requiring repair directly to the boutique.
This year I have acted as a liaison between customer service & the consumer, as directed by the stores directions for repairs. Per the guideline, I have sent items from other sources of purchase.
It has been a pleasure to connect with clients offering this service. In the rare event I cannot immediately offer a solution in the store, I have enjoyed offering solutions and sharing the client’s delight when they return to the store and pick up a refurbished item.
For myself, the Swarovski Boutique has evolved into a service center, or point of contact beyond customer service, as Swarovski continues to evolve. I have perceived all customer service documents as ‘guidelines’. Each customer I interact with has a unique situation I can address in the most appropriate way. At times I have found it necessary to ‘make a partner’ for exceptions, but I am confident we have achieved a high satisfaction rate. With any business, the guidelines may change at any time, but I for one, am comfortable with these improvements.
On the subject of gift receipts, the Swarovski boutique manager included this…”Gift receipts are always available point of sale at every Swarovski Boutique and should be requested, if not automatically provided. The gift receipt enables the gift giver to provide documentation, without providing the price of the gift.”
Hopefully, this manager’s information and perspective will help Swarovski collectors and buyers make the best choice for source and price when considering upcoming Swarovski crystal purchases. A special thanks to the Swarovski boutique manager for allowing us to share his email with our Kristall Buzz readers!
Swarovski recently released the list of crystal figurines that will retire in the first half of 2012. Over 40 Swarovski figurines are slated to be officially discontinued beginning January through June of this year. With this Swarovski news, the popular website, RetiredSwarovski.com has now posted the complete list in the Swarovski Retiring Soon section of the web site. This page of the web site includes links to the crystal figurines in the Swarovski shoppe to make shopping easy for collectors.
Swarovski Black Diamond Woodpecker Retires in 2012
Some of the retirements are no longer available from the online shoppe.
I was surprised to see many of the Swarovski Lovlots Circus figurines in the list, as they only launched about 1 year ago.
Some of the longest running Swarovski figurines on the list that will no longer be produced includes:
Swarovski Squirrel, introduced in 1985
Swarovski Beagle, introduced in 1990
Swarovski Baby Elephant, introduced in 1995
Swarovski Ladybird, introduced in 1995
A couple of the Swarovski figurines retiring have colored versions that are replacing them. This seems to be a new way to re-introduce figurines. Kristall Buzz featured an article about this trend on Swarovski Clear Crystal Figurinesin February, 2011.
Swarovski Mandarin Ducks – Clear: 2006 through 2012; Topaz: introduced in 2010 and still current in 2012.
Swarovski Tortoises, Baby (Set of 2) – Clear: 1998 through 2012; Golden Shadow: introduced in 2012.
If any of the 2012 retirements are on your wish list, get them before they become too hard to find, and a premium price must be paid to obtain them! CrystalExhange.com has a huge list of retired Swarovski figurines, so crystal collectors should check out this site if the desired figurine is no longer available on-line or in stores.
repair process, as distributed to Swarovski Boutiques, seems more accommodating to clients. Prior to the recent guidelines, customers were asked to contact customer service directly if an exchange or refund could not be made in the store.