RetiredSwarovski.com is an established web site known for its up-to-date listings of Swarovski Crystal retirements. Recently, the Crystal Myriad product line of Swarovski Limited Editions has been added to the site documenting those Swarovski sculptures that the crystal brand has retired.
The Swarovski Crystal Myriad sculptures are Swarovski Numbered Limited Editions, Swarovski NLE for short. The Crystal Myriad sculptures range in price from $12,000 – $18,000, and each has a maximum production of 300 units. The Crystal Myriad figurines are custom made shortly after an order is received according to the Swarovski web site.
In 2009, Swarovski introduced four Crystal Myriad sculptures: a dragon Swarovski Jinlong, an elephant Swarovski Matang, a falcon Swarovski Alsaqr Almalaki, and a stallion Swarovski Amurath. According to the RetiredSwarovski.com web site, two of these four items are now retired.
Swarovski used their own signature pointiage technique to apply 32,000 – 63,000 hand-set crystals. This same technique is also being used on the Swarovski Limited Edition Hello Kitty figurine which is to launch near August, 2011. The Swarovski Hello Kitty sculpture will be limited to 88 pieces world-wide and will have approximately 20K hand-set crystals.
If you prefer less expensive, but still exclusive Swarovski Limited Editions, many can be had from Crystal Exchange America web site. Just look in the ‘Limited Editions’ and ‘SCS Annual and Limited Editions’ categories of the store web site www.CrystalExchange.com
It’s early June with Father’s Day just around the corner. Is your husband, father, or grandfather among the Swarovski crystal fanatics collectors? If so, this screwdriver may be a terrific gift for him!
This Swarovski-studded cordless screwdriver is a limited edition, Swarovski embellished machine designed to celebrate the Bosch IXO model rising to the top of the power tool world. According to several web site sources, there have been over 10M sold since 2003.
Only 2000 of this limited edition screwdriver were made, each one decorated with 470 Swarovski crystal stones. Retail price? Only $470 USD!
I’m not sure that this screwdriver is available in the USA or not. I was able to find it only at the Amazon UK site, with a small quantity available there.
If a Swarovski embellished power tool is not the gift you were considering for that crystal-collecting dad, check out Crystal Exchange America’s web site for plenty of other Swarovski crystal ideas. Be sure to order soon as order fulfillment generally takes about 10 business days.
Liza Schmidt of Germany was the lucky winner of the Swarovski crystal video contest that ended just last week. Her video is focused on the Swarovski Nirvana Ring and the possible powers it may hold.
Here are the winner’s thoughts and comments, taken directly from Swarovski’s social media page:
The idea for the video came from her husband after they saw a green Nirvana ring for the first time. According to Liza “we were really inspired by the power the ring has to transform the mood of the wearer when it is placed on the finger. It really can send you to a far-away place like Nirvana or heaven. For each person heaven is a special place and for this nomadic Buddah in the video we thought that heaven would be opposite of his daily life. Although in the end he decided to remain in the desert, the Nirvana ring still holds the power to transform. We had so much fun making this video and we are delighted it was chosen as the winner!”
Congratulations to Liza! Her Swarovski Nirvana Ring video will air at the Swarovski store on Times Square in NY. Liza also wins a round trip package to Milan which includes Swarovski VIP tickets to the fashion event of the year. And there’s more….Liza will receive (probably alot of ) Swarovski jewelry and time with (an unnamed) celebrity guest! Well done Liza! Looking forward to your next video adventure!
The famous landmark, Swarovski Crystal Worlds, in Wattens Austria, celebrated its 10,000,000th visitor May 27, 2011!
Swarovski Kristallwelten The Giant
Crystal Worlds, also known as Kristallwelten, was founded in 1995 on the 100th anniversary of the Swarovski family owned enterprise. Crystal Worlds is an underground park, designed to stimulate all the senses, using Swarovski crystal of course. It features designs that utilize many colors and forms. At Crystal Worlds, visitors can also view the world’s largest Centenar (chaton) that is 300,000 carats and weighs over 136 lbs.
Kristallwelten 10Mth Visitor!
Pictured in front of The Giant landmark face are, left to right, Markus Langes-Swarovski, the 10thM visitor Silvia Henkelmann, and Dr Andreas Braun.
Crystal Worlds has an amazing web site. Swarovski SCS members also have some privileges at Kristallwelten, which includes complimentary admission to some areas and special benefits in other areas. More information on the SCS member benefits are available at the Swarovski web site.
Swarovski also produces some Swarovski Kristallwelten items that are only available at the gift shop there. Crystal Exchange America has a few of those items listed on their web site if you’re not able to make a personal visit or find that the items you want have become discontinued Swarovski crystal items.
Memorial Day, formerly known as Decoration Day, is a USA holiday celebrated on the last Monday of May. It commemorates our military personnel who died in service. On this holiday, Americans proudly display their USA flags and spend time with families.
Swarovski crystal fanatics can show their spirit and pride wearing Swarovski jewelry featuring flag decorations:
Swarovski Gear Flag Pin (Left), retails for $65 and Swarovski Gear Heart Pin (Right), retails for $65.
Both Swarovski pins and other new release Swarovski crystal figurines can be found on the Crystal Fox Gallery web site, and appear to be in stock. Of course you can’t have it to wear today, but you can be ready for July 4th if you order now!
The Swarovski Sunshine Mo is now available for purchase at the Swarovski web site. This Limited Edition Lovlots Cow retails for $65. Sunshine Mo is another one of those Swarovski Limited Editions that ‘is available ‘while supplies last’….no total production quantity mentioned and only a cutoff order date of 2011.
The Sunshine Mo crystal cow looks delightful. According to Swarovski’s description, she is vibrant jonquil figurine with peridot crystal horns and light smoked topaz crystal ears wearing beautiful necklace in a stunning gradation of tropical crystal colors.
The Swarovski Mo family is expanding and starting to become a small Swarovski LE herd. I can just imagine all the Swarovski Mo figurine family planning a little party inside my crystal cabinet with some nice party music, frozen daiquiris, all having a good time. Pinky Mo (Swarovski LE 2007), Alabaster Mo (Swarovski LE 2007), Soccer Mo (Swarovski LE 2008), Flower Mo (Swarovski LE 2009), Halloween Mo (Swarovski LE 2009), Country Mos (Swarovski LE 2010, Glamour Mos (Swarovski LE 2010), and Charming Mo (Swarovski LE 2011) will all be in attendance.
Crystal Exchange America has listings for many of the Swarovski Mo Cows and Swarovski Lovlots special editions. Just visit http://www.crystalexchange.com/ and navigate to the Limited Edition Swarovski category in the menu on the left side of the web site.
Swarovski introduced the Swarovski Lovlots figurines in 2006. The Swarovski Lovlots were not just crystal figurines.they were animal caricatures vibrant in color, each with a personality of its own.
Swarovski Lovlots Limited Editions Swarovski Shady (2006), Swarovski Theo (2009), Swarovski Violetta (2008), Swarovski Ziggy (2010), and Swarovski Jade (2011)
The initial group of Swarovski Lovlots is known as the Swarovski Lovlots Pioneers. There were 8 animals in the Lovlots Pioneers. These Swarovski crystal figurines were all clear in color.
In 2008, the next group launch of Swarovski Lovlots was the Swarovski Gang of Dogs. The Gang of Dogs consisted of 4 dogs, plus a Swarovski Limited Edition Dog (Violetta) that was only available in 2008. Find out more in our Kristall Buzz News with Gang of Dogs Video.
In 2009, the Swarovski House of Cats group was introduced. The House of Cats was comprised of 5 cats, a cat pair, and a Swarovski Limited Edition Cat (Theo) that was only available in 2009. More information is available in our Kristall Buzz News with House of Cats Video.
In 2010, the Swarovski City Park group was released. The Swarovski City Park included 8 critters that may be found in the park, a bird pair, and a Swarovski Limited Edition Woodpecker (Ziggy) that was only available in 2010. See our Kristall Buzz News with City Park Video for more about this series.
In 2011, the Swarovski Circus group was announced. The Swarovski Circus encompasses many favorites found at a circus.6 animals, a 7th animal that is available for a limited time only, and a Swarovski Limited Edition Horse (Jade) that is only to be available in 2011. See our Kristall Buzz News on the Swarovski Circus about the official launch.
Now, after the short background introduction, you will be pleased to know that there is a web site with the Swarovski Lovlots Retirements in a free and easy-to-use format. RetiredSwarovski.com has a series of web pages with Swarovski Lovlots Retirements, 2006 through 2011. If you want to know what year a Swarovski Lovlots figurine retired, type it in the ‘search’ box of the site, and the results list will indicate a list of possibilities for a collector to select from to make getting the retirement year (answer) successful.
At RetiredSwarovski.com, it is also possible to print out the fact sheet listings by year of Swarovski Lovlots retirements, 2006 to 2011. The fact sheets are very useful in knowing which figurines retired in which years. The fact sheets include small photos, official Swarovski Product Name, Swarovski Part Number, Swarovski System Number, Swarovski Designer, Year Introduced, and Year Retired.
Crystal Exchange America has a selection of Retired Swarovski Lovlots figurines in their online store. If there is a Swarovski Lovlots crystal figurine absent from your display, visit the web site now, or if it is something that they can locate for you.
The Swarovsk Ray Paperweight, by Swarovski Artist Darko Mladenovic, is being used as an award for all of Time Magazine’s 100 Most Influential People.
The crystal giant Swarovski employs the most talented designers around the world working on its most popular crystal creations. Approximately 65 Swarovski artists have been employed by the company since 1976. And many times, Swarovski crystal designs were credited as ‘team’, implying that a number of people worked to the project so that a single designer could not be credited for the crystal figurine design.
One designer in particular, Darko Mdadenovic, worked for Swarovski 2002 to 2008. During that time, he created 21 sculptures that were officially launched into the Daniel Swarovski Home Accessories product line of the company. His least expensive design retailed for $475 and most expensive design exceeded $5200.
One of Darko’s most recognized designs was the Swarovski Large Ray Paperweight. This sculpture was a Limited Edition, with only 250 produced. The original retail price was nearly $5200. The Swarovski Ray Paperweight was almost 8″ in length, an undeniably stunning design.
Time magazine recognized the timelessness and beauty of the Ray Paperweight. With some customization to add “Time 100” as if it were a logo, Time awarded this sculpture to the recipients of the Time Magazine’s 100 World’s Most Influential People for an amazing four years! This was not just an honor to the recipients; it was an honor to Darko himself!
The full article and a picture of the special Ray Paperweight sculpture can be found on the Swarovski web site. Some of this artist’s designs pictures can be found on the Darko web site .
Congratulations to Darko and all the Time recipients for this prestigious title of “Time Magazine’s 100 World’s Most Influential People”.
The Kristall Buzz, a Blog on Swarovski Crystal, has launched a short video on YouTube with some unusual characters cast. The characters are retired and discontinued Swarovski crystal figurines! Have a watch!
The sole chick in the video is the Swarovski Mini Chicken. Introduced in 1979 and retired in 1988, the mini chicken is THE very origin of the collection which eventually lead to the popular Swarovski book publications: Warner’s Blue Ribbon Books on Swarovski.
The next four loveable characters are Swarovski Happy Ducks, all of which are limited edition figurines.The Swarovski Pink Duck (with the ribbon) was a limited edition duck produced for Breast Cancer Awareness. It was only available to certain countries when it was produced in 2010. This limited edition pink duck is stamped “2010” with the Swarovski swan logo on the underside of the figurine. A portion of the proceeds were to benefit Breast Cancer Research.
The Swarovski Pink Duck (without the ribbon) was a limited edition duck produced for the Kids Earth fund. When it was available in 2010, it could only be found in Japan. This limited edition pink duck is stamped “2010” with the Swarovski swan logo on the underside of the figurine.
While the final 2 performers may look like Swarovski Happy Prince and Swarovski Happy Princess, they are not. These limited edition ducks are the Swarovski Royal Wedding Happy Ducks. This pair of ducks is packaged in a single blue navy box. Each duck has the Swarovski Swan logo underneath. However, on the ducks’ back, there are additional markings to signify a special event. The commemorative event was the Royal Wedding of Prince William to Kate Middleton. On the back of the Prince Royal Wedding Duck is the royal wedding date: 29 April, 2011. On the back of the Princess Royal Wedding Duck is a pair of wedding rings. Watch in the video, and you will see these special markings highlighted. These Happy Ducks were limited to a production of 3000 pairs and were only available at select Swarovski crystal retailers in the UK.
All these Swarovski Limited Editions can be found on the Crystal Exchange America web site in the “Limited Edition Swarovski” category!
Swarovski collectors do not need to be an official member of the Swarovski club SCS to get the latest Swarovski news. Crystal fanatics have access to the news everywhere on the internet.
Fanatics can sign up on the Swarovski site for free Swarovski newsletter, which is published twice a month. The crystal brand’s newsletters may include features like new Swarovski product launches, promotions, special events, trends, and more. To have access to this news, directly from the manufacturer, collectors simply need to their email address and language preference on the Swarovski Newsletter form. Since I’m already on the mailing list for this newsletter, I did not need to subscribe again.
Another official Swarovski newsletter available to fanatics is the Swarovski Beauty Newsletter. To subscribe to this newsletter, collectors need to provide first name, last name, country of residence, and email. A cell phone number is optional if a collector wishes to receive the news on the cell phone (perhaps in the form of a text message?). I believe that this Swarovski newsletter will include information on the Swarovski Aura perfume, Swarovski make up jewels, and Swarovski body cream, perfumed shower gel, and perfumed spray that are beginning to launch. There is no reference as to how frequently the Swarovski Beauty Newsletter is to be issued. I did sign up for this Swarovski Newsletter and got immediate confirmation my email address had been successfully added.
Two other excellent resources for reliable (yet unofficial) news are RetiredSwarovski.com and KristallBuzz.com . RetiredSwarovski.com is an excellent venue for staying current on the list of Swarovski crystal retirements for many of the Swarovski product lines. The “Retiring Soon” page of the site will indicate the most up to date information on Swarovski figurines retiring soon. This page also contains links to the Swarovski web site so that you can conveniently order before stocks are gone.
The Kristall Buzz Blog is a Swarovski Blog that I have been contributing to since October, 2010. 7 months, 145 posts, and LOTS of Swarovski crystal fanatics telling us how much they appreciate the information and enjoy reading our blog. The Kristall Buzz had many facets of information. The blog on Swarovski crystal may contain details on new releases, retirement announcements, and other exciting areas that the Swarovski brand is involved with and that collectors themselves may find interesting. It is not just about crystal figurines. It is much more and fascinating to read about. I hope that everyone will stay tuned to the Kristall Buzz, and be on the look-out for more remarkable things to come!
