Simon Swarovski

Swarovski Crystals: Anecdotes and Designer Cufflinks

Today, Swarovski Crystals, the choice material of world class jewellery designers. A sense of luxury is extended through sterling silver and enamels creating forms reflecting beautifully, textural influences at every angle. Natural light suddenly becomes part of the experience as it bounces off every facet of Swarovski Crystal.

If you’re a fan of Swarovski Crystal Jewellery here’s a little history? In 1892, Daniel Swarovski registered a patent for his machine that cut crystal on an industrial scale with greater speed and precision than the manual process. This was the start of one of the most sought after crystal production centres in art history. Daniel Swarovski founded his company in the Alps, named for his family, in 1895.

In the late 19th Century, crystal was regularly used to enhance formal evening wear. Crystal pieces were actually sewn into formal jackets and gowns. Swarovski took advantage of this fashion trend and in 1913; he created his own crystals exclusively for the fashion industry.

Always the entrepreneur, Swarovski used the storage of cutting machines and materials during World War I to enhance his business. For the war effort, Swarovski produced grinding and dressing tools that were used to process crystal stones and he marketed them under the name of Tyrolit from 1917 to 1919. Until about 1956, Swarovski would often use the innovations of his original crystal company by developing subsidiary companies which provided products for automotive and roadway reflectors, telescopes, and lenses.

By mid 20th Century, Swarovski returned to the work of jewellery-making and crystal promotion using special treatments to produce colourful effects within crystal. This new found popularity of Swarovski pieces made the firm's crystal the desired crystal for famous chandeliers that graced such sites as the Metropolitan Opera House, major museums, and the castles owned by European monarchs. By the late 1960s, Swarovski stones were utilized in home design, fashion, and jewellery markets worldwide.

By 1976, Swarovski business expanded from that of a cutting, manufacturing, and jewellery production facility to a business committed to silver crystal as an end product for figurines and collectibles. The first crystal collectible sold by Swarovski was a mouse figurine. The mouse, a best seller at the Innsbruck Olympic Games, enjoyed prominence throughout the world. In the early 1990s, exhibitions featured Swarovski crystal and its crystal technology. In 1995, the company celebrated its 100th anniversary with the production of a prominent Swarovski century swan in silver crystal. In that same year, the firm opened its exhibition centre featuring a history of crystal and the Swarovski Company.

Some of Swarovski notable crystal designers include:

Max Schreck who is responsible for the popular animal line of fine crystal collectibles, Anton Hirzinger whose designs include the famous Swarovski trademark swan and the Centenary Swan, Edith Maier who joined Swarovski in 1990 and designed the Roe Deer Fawn, the Fairy Tales series, and the popular Sweetheart piece, Gabriele Stamey who designed Swarovski popular Columbine figurine, and Adi Stocker who is arguably Swarovski best known designer creating two major Limited Edition pieces for Swarovski crystal.

And the tradition lives on.

About the Author

Purveyor of finely crafted men’s fashion accessories by Vivienne Westwood, including Vivienne’s famous Orb Cufflinks, plus historic anecdotes and fashion critiques