Swarovski Milestones

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.

Swarovski Kristallwelten

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

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

Swarovski Foundation

‘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.

2017

Swarovski first presented Swarovski Created Diamonds in this milestone year. Made from laboratory grown diamonds that are 100% identical to mined diamonds in every way but origin, they are precision-cut and polished to perfection to reveal maximum brilliance and scintillation. Only the best laboratory grown diamonds feature in Swarovski Created Diamonds jewelry - they are IGI (International Gemological Institute) certified and graded D-F in color, IF-VS1 in clarity, and the cut is excellent.

2018

Een 21e-eeuwse Kristalwerkplaats opent in Wattens, Oostenrijk. Swarovski Manufaktur is een ruimte voor inspiratie, co-creatie, vakmanschap en savoir-faire, die innovatie stimuleert met behulp van nieuwe technologieën en creatieve visionaire processen op elkaar afstemt.

2019

Swarovski ontwikkelt een nieuw soort kristal om zes fonteinen te creëren op de Champs-Élysées in Parijs. De draaiende installaties van de gebroeders Bouroullec bevatten 3.060 kristallen in een droomachtige display van beweging en licht.

© Studio Bouroullec

2020

De Swarovski Foundation kondigt haar nieuwe Creatives for Our Future-programma aan, een wereldwijd mentorschap- en subsidieprogramma ontworpen in samenwerking met een adviseur van het United Nations Office for Partnerships, om de volgende generatie creatieve leiders een platform te geven en duurzaamheid te versnellen.

2021

Dit jaar markeert een krachtige nieuwe creatieve visie met de benoeming van de allereerste Global Creative Director van het Huis. Giovanna Engelbert sluit zich aan om een diepere visuele expressie en creatieve taal voor Swarovski te ontwikkelen. De wereldwijde uitrol van een nieuw sensorisch winkelconcept, Instant Wonder, volgt, samen met een moderne nieuwe esthetiek uitgedrukt in de kleuren van Swarovski, en een elegant Swarovski Swan-logo.

Creators Lab

Een nieuw programma van creatieve samenwerkingen wordt gelanceerd om de grenzen van design en vakmanschap te verleggen, terwijl Swarovski Kristallen worden gevierd. Creators Lab is een natuurlijke evolutie die het lange erfgoed van het Oostenrijkse Huis weerspiegelt in mode, film, theater en muziek, en de geschiedenis van het stimuleren van creativiteit. De eerste merken die toetreden tot de nieuwe Swarovski Creators Lab zijn Nike, MA®KET, Amina Muaddi, Judith Leiber en FAO Schwarz.

Swarovski Milestones

1950s

1970s

1980

1989

The Giant

2004

2007

Gabriel Chandelier

Swarovski Foundation

2017

2018

2019

2020

2021

Creators Lab

Creators Lab

Build-A-Bear

Swarovski x Liberal Youth Ministry

Stuart Weitzman

Advisory Board Crystals

2022

Popcultuur verlichten

Popcultuur verlichten

Popcultuur verlichten

Swarovski op Fifth

Global Brand Ambassador

Het Met Gala 2024

Showtime

Ariana Grande X Swarovski

Weense Operabal

Het Met Gala 2025

130 jaar vreugde

Sieraden met oceaanthema

Bruiloftssieraden en -accessoires

Disney The Lion King x Swarovski