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

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

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.

Advisory Board Crystals

Exclusive: Sweatshirts, Sweatpants, and Hats.

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.

Ambassadrice

Ariana Grande devient la nouvelle égérie et ambassadrice de la Maison. Artiste aux multiples récompenses, la chanteuse, compositrice et actrice américaine figure parmi les artistes les plus écoutées au monde. Célébrée pour ses performances remarquables et son style personnel unique, Ariana Grande milite activement pour l’inclusivité et l’émancipation. Ce partenariat réunit deux icônes de la culture pop.

Le Met Gala 2024

Les créations couture Swarovski font leur première apparition au Met Gala. Les Amies de la Maison Karlie Kloss, Imaan Hammam et Anok Yai rayonnent dans des ensembles imaginés par notre Directrice de création, Giovanna Engelbert. Pour le thème « Le Jardin du Temps », Giovanna incarne la Nature, Karlie se fait Fleur, Imaan devient le Soleil, tandis qu’Anok évoque l’Eau dans une combinaison accompagnée d’un collier de haute joaillerie de la Collection Galaxy en Swarovski Created Diamonds.

Show Time

Jean Paul Gaultier et Swarovski participent à la création du Grand Show Falling | In Love, au théâtre Friedrichstadt-Palast de Berlin. Ce spectacle berlinois rayonne grâce à 100 millions de cristaux Swarovski qui subliment l’explosion de couleurs orchestrée par l’illustre créateur parisien. Dans un décor chatoyant composé de jardins cristallisés à la flore et à la faune luxuriantes, se déploie un arc-en-ciel de costumes ornés de cristaux scintillants.

2025

Née en Autriche du génie visionnaire de Daniel, notre fondateur, Swarovski illumine le monde depuis 1895. Nous célébrons notre 130ème année à repousser les limites de la créativité et à embrasser l’extraordinaire. Les créations Swarovski sont conçues pour susciter la joie, illuminer chaque facette de votre vie et révéler votre singularité.

Ariana Grande X Swarovski

Le premier partenariat créatif avec notre égérie et ambassadrice mondiale, Ariana Grande, est lancé.
Co-créée avec l’icône de la pop et la Directrice de création Giovanna Engelbert, la collection capsule Ariana Grande x Swarovski célèbre la joie de l’expression de soi et puise dans une passion pour la musique à travers des motifs de notes et de cœurs scintillants.

Bal de l’Opéra de Vienne

Partenariat s’étendant sur près de 70 ans, l’alliance entre Swarovski et le Bal de l’Opéra de Vienne honore la beauté, l’élégance et la richesse culturelle de notre héritage autrichien partagé. C’est un véritable héritage de merveilles. Chaque année, une nouvelle Tiare Swarovski, démonstration magistrale de notre maîtrise de la lumière, illumine ce bal prestigieux. Cette année, son motif complexe s’inspire du Cygne Swarovski.

Le Met Gala 2025

La Couture Swarovski brille sur le Tapis Rouge

Le monde de Swarovski

Bijoux et accessoires de mariage

Succombez au charme de nos superbes créations en cristal. Que vous recherchiez un subtil chatoiement ou un glamour éclatant, vous trouverez forcément parmi notre sélection la pièce qui matchera votre style et vos envies pour le grand jour.

Bijoux d’inspiration marine

Véritables chefs-d’œuvre de créativité, nos nouvelles familles de bijoux ornées de Crystal Pearls Swarovski se déclinent dans une étonnante palette aquatique aux tons bleus et verts.

Le Roi Lion Disney x Swarovski

Célébrez un grand classique avec des personnages éclatants.