Discover the timeline of Swarovski, from the birth of Austrian House through key milestones, and discover the House’s rich heritage across the world’s of fashion, jewelry and pop culture.
1895
Daniel Swarovski invents a machine that is capable of cutting crystals with a precision that has never before been possible.
1900
Daniel draws a sequence of diagrams - Article 1 to Article 6 - that come to define a lexicon of crystal cuts. Daniel takes this lexicon to Wattens in Austria, Swarovski’s country of origin, and they become the first crystals put into production. Article 7 to Article 12 make up his second lexicon of original crystal cuts.
Article 1-6, and Article 7-12.
1950s
Swarovski collaborates with couturiers, who are inspired by the creative possibilities of its ever-evolving materials. After a trip to see the Northern Lights, Daniel creates a coating that emulates the changing colors of the natural phenomenon. Christian Dior was the first designer to discover this effect and used it in one of his last collections in 1957.
1970s
A factory technician in Wattens glues spare chandelier parts together to create a crystallized mouse, which becomes the first Swarovski figurine. Initially, it is gifted to 1000 Swarovski employees, but quickly becomes so popular that it goes on sale at the XII Winter Olympic Games in Innsbruck in 1976. Its popularity leads to a new line of nature-inspired figurines.
1980
Swarovski begins a long-lasting relationship with the Palace of Versailles, recreating the monumental crystal chandelier to illuminate the Sun King’s Chamber. The piece has a distinctly 17th century aesthetic - it features innovative crystal LED candles, which flawlessly replicate a traditional flame, lending a unique ambience to the royal apartments.
1989
In 1989, Swarovski launches a couture range called the Daniel Swarovski Paris collection, named after its founder. The elaborate collection incorporates crystals and has only limited pieces available.
1995
Swarovski Crystal Worlds, Kristallwelten, opens in Wattens, Austria, to mark the brand’s centennial anniversary. Multimedia artist André Heller designed a unique and magical place that attracts millions of visitors from across the globe. Crystals are celebrated in all their transformative facets and every year, multiple collaborations with artists, particularly in the Chamber of Wonder, continue to push the boundaries of creativity.
The Giant
André Heller’s thematic centerpiece for Swarovski Crystal Worlds was the shape of the Giant, and he developed the story of a Giant who set out to experience the crystal world and all of its treasures and wonders.
2004
Bringing a sprinkle of shimmer to the holiday season, Swarovski crowns the iconic Rockefeller Center Christmas tree for the first time. Heralding the start of a yearly tradition, the 2004 Swarovski star measures three meters in height and shines with 25,000 brilliant white crystals. A magical addition to the New York City skyline.
2007
The 79th Academy Awards shows the audience the true meaning of brilliance. For the first time, a sparkling crystal curtain forms the backdrop for the Hollywood stars. The Swarovski Crystal Curtain measures 10 meters in height, weighs over a ton, and consists of 50,000 individual crystals.
2013
Gabriel Chandelier
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Swarovski joins forces with Ronan and Erwan Bouroullec to create the Gabriel Chandelier, a permanent artwork illuminating the main entrance at the Palace of Versailles. Over 12 meters high and incorporating 800 Swarovski crystals innovatively lit with luminous LEDs, this contemporary yet majestic piece is both a technical feat and an enduring tribute to the crystallized chandeliers that historically adorned the Palace’s ceremonial rooms.
© Studio Bouroullec
© Studio Bouroullec
Swarovski Foundation
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‘To achieve lasting change, you must think not only of yourself but also of others’ - Daniel Swarovski.
The Swarovski Foundation was established to bring focus to our founder’s philosophy and the brand’s historical commitment to philanthropy. It supports charitable organizations and initiatives to achieve positive social and environmental impact. The Swarovski Foundation's mission is to promote sustainable livelihoods through education to reduce inequality through education. The focus is on Equity, Water, and Creativity, and there are three key initiatives, Waterschool, Creatives for Our Future and Action Fund.
2018
A 21st century Crystal Workshop opens in Wattens, Austria. Swarovski Manufaktur is a space for inspiration, co-creation, craftsmanship, and savoir-faire, stimulating innovation using new technologies and aligning creative visionary processes.
2019
Swarovski develops a new type of crystal to create six fountains on the Champs-Élysées in Paris. The rotating installations by the Bouroullec brothers feature 3,060 crystals in a dreamlike display of movement and light.
© Studio Bouroullec
© Studio Bouroullec
2020
The Swarovski Foundation announces its new Creatives for Our Future program, a global mentorship and grant program designed with an advisor from the United Nations Office for Partnerships, to identify and accelerate the next generation of creative leaders in sustainability.
2021
This year marks a bold new creative vision with the appointment of the House’s first ever Global Creative Director. Giovanna Engelbert joins to develop a deeper visual expression and creative language for Swarovski. The global roll out of a new sensorial store concept, Instant Wonder, follows, along with a modern new aesthetic expressed in Swarovski’s brand colors, and a streamlined Swarovski Swan logo.
Creators Lab
A new program of creative collaborations launches to push the boundaries of design and craftsmanship, while celebrating Swarovski Crystals. Creators Lab is a natural evolution reflecting the Austrian House’s long heritage of influence in fashion, film, theater and music, and history of championing creativity. The first brands to enter the new Swarovski Creators Lab are Nike, MA®KET, Amina Muaddi, Judith Leiber and FAO Schwarz.
Build-A-Bear
Build-A-Bear has entered the Swarovski Creators Lab to create a limited-edition collectible fully adorned with Swarovski Crystals.
Swarovski x Liberal Youth Ministry
Creators Lab continues to explore creative possibilities and celebrate the spirit of collaborated art that has been part of our culture since the very beginning. Swarovski’s youthful spirit and progressive nature is a perfect match for Liberal Youth Ministry (LYM), where each collection celebrates the universality of youth.
Stuart Weitzman
Cue the celebrations as Stuart Weitzman enters the Creators Lab, just in time for party season. Combining precision craftsmanship with extravagant embellishment, the Stuart Power Shine pump pairs its new 75mm Stuart Power heels with over 6,000 Swarovski Crystals. Designed to catch the light with every step, this spectacular shoe invites you to stand tall and let your confidence shine.
2022
New Chambers of Wonder are introduced regularly to Kristallwelten. James Turrell - who as an artist is considered a “magician of light” - creates Umbra, a moving light and color installation that appeals to all the senses.
2023
Swarovski is a protagonist of pop culture, and Swarovski Crystals are sprinkled throughout pop culture history. 2023 is another stellar year for the House as it makes the most creative events, and celebrities, shine.
Illuminating Pop Culture
Doja Cat dazzled at the Schiaparelli Haute Couture SS23 Show, with 30,000 crimson Swarovski crystals hand-applied by makeup artist Pat McGrath. The five-hour process created a stunning transformation, merging aesthetic subversion with pure glamour.
Illuminating Pop Culture
Swarovski Crystals play a significant role in Beyoncé’s Renaissance World Tour, lighting up the custom looks of the world’s top designers.
Illuminating Pop Culture
Harry Styles stunned at the Grammys in a custom EGONLAB jumpsuit made from Swarovski Crystal Mesh, featuring 250,000 crystals in nine colors. Handmade in Paris over 150 hours, the dazzling outfit highlighted his creativity, individuality, and star power.
Swarovski Created Diamonds Galaxy Collection
Inspired by the cosmos, The Galaxy Collection is the first Swarovski Created Diamonds fine jewelry collection designed by Global Creative Director Giovanna Engelbert. Each design is crafted from laboratory grown diamonds that are IGI (International Gemological Institute) certified and 100% identical to mined diamonds in every way but origin.
Swarovski on Fifth
Over two luxurious floors, a world of joyful extravagance and crystal wonder unfolds in a new flagship store on New York’s Fifth Avenue. A palette of the House’s signature shades combined with rich, textured surfaces make the New York flagship a sensory delight full of immersive experiences.
2024
A year of firsts for the House including the appointment of a Global Brand Ambassador, pop icon Ariana Grande, and debuting Swarovski couture looks designed by Giovanna Engelbert at the Met Gala.
Global Brand Ambassador
Ariana Grande is announced as new ambassador and face of the House. The multi award-winning American singer, songwriter and actress is among the world's best-selling music artists. Celebrated for her breathtaking performances and unique personal style, Ariana Grande is a powerful advocate for inclusivity and empowerment. The partnership unites two icons of pop culture.
Die Met Gala 2024
Zum ersten Mal werden Swarovski Couture-Looks bei der Met Gala präsentiert. Freunde des Hauses, Karlie Kloss, Imaan Hammam und Anok Yai, erstrahlen in Ensembles, die von Global Creative Director Giovanna Engelbert entworfen wurden. Zum Dresscode „The Garden of Time“ verwandelt sich Giovanna in die Natur, Karlie in eine Blume, Imaan in die Sonne und Anok wird zum Wasser in einem Catsuit, kombiniert mit einer High Jewelry Kette aus der Swarovski Created Diamonds Galaxy Collection.
Showtime
Jean Paul Gaultier und Swarovski arbeiten bei Falling | In Love, der magischen Grand Show im Friedrichstadt-Palast Berlin, zusammen. Die Berliner Show erstrahlt mit 100 Millionen Swarovski Kristallen und beleuchtet die außergewöhnliche Farbexplosion, die vom berühmten Pariser Designer kuratiert wurde. Der hypnotische Reiz der Kristalle wird auf der größten Theaterbühne der Welt entfesselt, mit kristallinen Gärten voller Flora und Fauna, die eine schimmernde Kulisse für einen Regenbogen aus funkelnden Ensembles bilden.
2025
Im österreichischen Wattens, unter der genialen Vision unseres Gründers Daniel Swarovski, lässt Swarovski die Welt seit 1895 erstrahlen. Seit 130 Jahren erweitern wir die Grenzen der Kreativität und begrüßen das Außergewöhnliche. Swarovski Kreationen verleihen Glanz in allen Bereichen Ihres Lebens, unterstreichen Ihre Individualität und bringen Freude in Ihren Alltag.
Ariana Grande x Swarovski
Die erste kreative Zusammenarbeit mit unserer globalen Markenbotschafterin und dem Gesicht der Marke, Ariana Grande, startet.
Die gemeinsam mit Pop-Ikone und Global Creative Director Giovanna Engelbert kreierte Ariana Grande x Swarovski Capsule Collection zelebriert die Freude am Selbstausdruck und ist inspiriert von einer tiefen Liebe zur Musik, die sich in Noten- und Herzmotiven widerspiegelt.
Die gemeinsam mit Pop-Ikone und Global Creative Director Giovanna Engelbert kreierte Ariana Grande x Swarovski Capsule Collection zelebriert die Freude am Selbstausdruck und ist inspiriert von einer tiefen Liebe zur Musik, die sich in Noten- und Herzmotiven widerspiegelt.
Wiener Opernball
Die fast 70-jährige Zusammenarbeit zwischen Swarovski und dem Wiener Opernball zelebriert die Schönheit, Eleganz und reiche Kultur unseres gemeinsamen österreichischen Erbes. Es ist ein wahres Vermächtnis des Staunens. Jedes Jahr erhellt eine neue Swarovski Tiara, eine virtuose Demonstration unserer Meisterschaft des Lichts, den Ball. In diesem Jahr ist das filigrane Design vom Swarovski Schwan inspiriert.
130 Jahre voller Freude
Anlässlich unseres 130-jährigen Jubiläums lädt Swarovski die Welt dazu ein, die facettenreiche Geschichte der Marke zu entdecken – mit außergewöhnlichen Events und exklusiven Kollektionen in limitierter Auflage. Verankert in unserem reichen Vermächtnis und der visionären Kraft unseres Gründers Daniel Swarovski, setzt das Haus seine Reise fort – mit einem neuen Kapitel, das die Kristallinnovation in den Mittelpunkt stellt und Licht, Farbe und Lebensfreude in all ihren Facetten feiert.
Die Welt von Swarovski
Die vielen Facetten von Swarovski im Rampenlicht: vom kulturellen Erbe bis zum Lifestyle und darüber hinaus.
Vom Meer inspirierter Schmuck
Title:Die einzigartigen Kunstwerke unserer neuen Schmuckfamilien brillieren mit Swarovski Kristallperlen und einer Palette von blauen und grünen Swarovski Kristallen.
Schmucktrends im Herbst und herbstliche Farbpaletten
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Entdecken Sie, wie die klassischen Farben des Herbstes wie bernsteinfarbene Blätter und orangefarbene Kürbisse als Inspirationsquelle für die perfekte Capsule-Garderobe dienen und Sie beim Styling von herbstlichen Schmucktrends leiten
Über Swarovski
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Entdecken Sie, wie Daniel Swarovskis wegweisende Kristallschneidemaschine Luxus neu definierte, indem sie präzise geschliffene Kristalle schuf, die Licht und Opulenz ausstrahlen