Swarovski

Daniel Swarovski was born in Bohemian Georgenthal (Now the Czech Republic) on October 24, 1862. His father, a glass cutter, owned a small factory in the center for glass production in Bohemia where Daniel learned the art of glass-cutting.

Daniel Swarovski established a jewelry company, which quickly grew to have over 70 employees and became a supplier of jewelry to Queen Victoria.

In 1885, Czech jeweler Daniel Swarovski opens his first factory in Wattens, Austria, aiming to make crystal more popular and create a 'diamond for everyone'.

Daniel Swarovski registered a patent for his innovative crystal cutting machine, a significant milestone in the history of crystal craftsmanship.

In 1892, Daniel Swarovski patented an electric cutting machine that revolutionized the production of crystal glass, leading to the success of Swarovski.

Daniel Swarovski founded Swarovski in 1895 in Wattens, Austria. The company is known for producing crystal glass, jewelry, watches, and accessories.

In 1899, Swarovski started using the Edelweiss as its logo. The Edelweiss, known for symbolizing alpinism and purity, became a beloved symbol for the company in Austria.

In 1910, Daniel Swarovski started producing a new crystal size called the Kitten, which revolutionized the jewelry industry with its unparalleled brilliance and precision cut. This new crystal enabled consistent production of objects with crystals, leading to its widespread adoption in jewelry, hair ornaments, and shoe buckles.

In 1911, Daniel Swarovski and his family established their own glassworks factory, producing high-quality glass.

Swarovski started producing figurines and collectibles, with its first figurine being a stylized mouse. These collectibles have become highly sought after by collectors.

In 1931, Swarovski created a crystal embellished band of materials in collaboration with top fashion designers and obtained a patent for it. This innovation, known as 'trimming', was a response to the trend of short hairstyles that couldn't accommodate decorative combs, marking a significant trend-driven development for Swarovski.

In 1932, Marlene Dietrich, a Hollywood star, debuts in jewellery and outfits decorated with Swarovski crystals, becoming one of the iconic figures associated with the brand.

In 1935, Wilhelm Swarovski designed personalized binoculars, leading to the establishment of Swarovski Optik in 1949. This marked the beginning of Swarovski's venture into manufacturing optical instruments.

After World War II, Swarovski founded Swarovski Optik, utilizing their glass manufacturing expertise to produce lenses, binoculars, and telescopes, becoming a leader in precision optics.

In a report to the state police, the Innsbruck district administrator described Alfred Swarovski as a dedicated member of the NSDAP, praising Hitler and actively participating in the National Socialist economic order.

In 1949, Wilhelm Swarovski founded SWAROVSKI OPTIK KG in Absam, Tyrol, with the ambition to build improved binoculars using specialized glass production and finishing technologies from his father's factory. The company's first serial product, the Habicht 7x42, became an industry standard in hunting optics.

Daniel Swarovski, the founder of the Swarovski company, passed away at the age of 93 on January 23, 1956.

In 1962, Marilyn Monroe wore a dress adorned with hundreds of Swarovski crystals while performing 'Happy Birthday Mr President' to John F. Kennedy. This iconic moment solidified Monroe's status as an American cinema icon and elevated the Swarovski brand's reputation.

In 1976, while creating a chandelier with a crystal mouse, the idea for mass production of crystal figurines arose. The mouse figurines were given to participants of the Winter Olympic Games in Innsbruck, leading to the start of producing entire collections of Swarovski figurines.

In 1985, Swarovski created a large rhinestone named 'the Heart of Liberace', weighing 115,000 carats, as a tribute to Liberace. The crystal, with 134 facets, was valued at $50,000 at that time.

The release of the 'Silver Crystal' figurines in 1987 led to a worldwide collecting boom and the establishment of the Swarovski Crystal Society.

In 1988, Swarovski replaced the original edelweiss flower logo with the iconic swan logo, which has since become synonymous with the brand.

In 1989, a new Swarovski logo was created, with the swan becoming the symbol of the brand, representing its presence on almost every continent.

In 1994, Swarovski changed its logo from the Edelweiss flower to the iconic swan symbol.

In 1995, Swarovski opened Swarovski Kristallwelten (Swarovski Crystal Worlds) in Wattens, designed by André Heller, offering a unique shopping experience and becoming a major tourist attraction in Austria.

In 1999, Alexander McQueen presented the Swarovski crystal mesh in his collection, marking the beginning of the Swarovski Collective project. The project aimed to support new designers and create innovative fashion trends adorned with Swarovski crystals.

In 2000, Swarovski introduced a new type of pearl with a crystal core, combining the weight, texture, and shine of a natural pearl with the quality of a Swarovski Crystal.

In 2004, Swarovski introduced the Xilion cut, a patented design aimed at enhancing the brilliance of Roses and Chatons.

In 2006, Swarovski introduced 'CRYSTALLIZED™– Swarovski Elements' for crystal elements, along with the creation of SIGNITY for Swarovski's semi-precious products.

In 2007, Swarovski collaborated with The Academy Awards to create a crystal curtain made of over 50,000 crystals. This collaboration marked the beginning of a long-term partnership with Oscar designers, leading to visible effects every year.

In 2012, Swarovski modified its manufacturing process to eliminate lead content from its crystals, making all Swarovski crystals lead-free.

In 2015, Swarovski celebrated their 120th anniversary, marking a significant milestone for the brand.

In 2016, Marilyn Monroe's dress, embellished with Swarovski crystals, was auctioned for $4.8 million. The auction highlighted the enduring allure and value of Monroe's iconic dress.

In 2017, Swarovski commissioned a $60,000 Art Deco-styled dress in honor of Marlene Dietrich's legacy, featuring 2,000 crystals and 150 LED lights. The dress was inspired by the actress's desire for a glowing dress that she could control on stage.

At the 2018 Oscar's, set designer Derek McLane utilized 45 million Swarovski crystals to design a dazzling stage for the 90th Oscar's ceremony, making it the most elaborate and sparkling awards stage in Hollywood's history.

Daniel Swarovski's invention revolutionized crystal production and established Swarovski as a leading brand in the fashion world, setting trends and collaborating with renowned artists and designers across various industries.

In April 2020, Robert Buchbauer, the great-great-grandson of Swarovski's founder, Daniel Swarovski, was appointed as the new CEO of Swarovski. This appointment marked a significant change in the company's leadership structure.

In late 2021, Robert Buchbauer and Mathias Margreiter stepped down from their CEO and CFO positions at Swarovski due to shareholder disputes over restructuring plans. Michele Molon was appointed as the interim CEO and Frederik Westring as the CFO.

In 2022, Alexis Nasard was appointed as Swarovski's new CEO, marking a historic transition from a family-managed to a family-owned business for Swarovski.

The blog post discusses the history of Swarovski, a renowned brand known for its crystals and corporate gifts.

Swarovski is commemorating 120 years of leading the way in fashion and jewelry trends. The event reflects on the history of Daniel Swarovski and his renowned crystal cutting company.