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 occupe une place de choix dans la culture pop, et ses cristaux jalonnent l’histoire du divertissement contemporain. L’année 2023 confirme cette position exceptionnelle, la Maison illuminant les événements les plus créatifs, ainsi que les tenues de nombreuses célébrités.

Illuminer la Culture Pop

Doja Cat éblouit tous les regards au défilé Schiaparelli Haute Couture SS23, parée de 30 000 cristaux Swarovski rouge sang appliqués à la main par la maquilleuse Pat McGrath. Cette transformation de cinq heures crée un effet saisissant, alliant provocation esthétique et glamour absolu.

Illuminer la Culture Pop

Au cœur de la tournée Renaissance World Tour de Beyoncé, les cristaux Swarovski illuminent les tenues de la star, créées par les plus grands designers mondiaux.

Illuminer la Culture Pop

Harry Styles illumine la cérémonie des Grammys dans une combinaison EGONLAB sur mesure en Swarovski Crystal Mesh, ornée de 250 000 cristaux déclinés en neuf couleurs. Confectionnée à la main à Paris durant plus de 150 heures, cette tenue spectaculaire révèle sa créativité, son individualité et son magnétisme.

Collection Swarovski Created Diamonds

Inspirée du cosmos, la Collection Galaxy est la première collection de haute joaillerie en Swarovski Created Diamonds conçue par la Directrice de création Giovanna Engelbert. Chaque pièce de la gamme est réalisée à partir de diamants de synthèse certifiés par l’IGI (International Gemological Institute) et semblables en tous points à des pierres extraites des mines.

Swarovski on Fifth

Sur deux étages luxueux, notre nouvelle boutique flagship de la Cinquième Avenue de New York déploie un monde d’extravagance joyeuse et de merveilles en cristaux. La palette des couleurs emblématiques de la Maison s’unit à des matières riches et texturées pour faire de cette boutique new-yorkaise un enchantement sensoriel riche d’expériences immersives.

2024

2024 a été une année de premières historiques pour la Maison avec la nomination d’Ariana Grande comme Ambassadrice et le lancement des créations couture Swarovski signées Giovanna Engelbert au 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

De eerste creatieve samenwerking met Global Brand Ambassador en gezicht van het merk, Ariana Grande, wordt gelanceerd.
Geco-creëerd door de popicoon en Global Creative Director Giovanna Engelbert, viert de Ariana Grande x Swarovski Capsule collectie de vreugde van zelfexpressie. De collectie is geïnspireerd door een grote liefde voor muziek die weerspiegelt in muzikale noten en hartmotieven.

Lees verder

Weense Operabal

De samenwerking tussen Swarovski en het Weense Operabal, die bijna 70 jaar duurt, viert de schoonheid, elegantie en rijke cultuur van ons gedeelde Oostenrijkse erfgoed.  Het is een ware erfenis van verwondering. Elk jaar verlicht een nieuwe Swarovski Tiara, een virtuoze display van onze meesterschap in licht, het bal. Dit jaar is het kunstzinnige ontwerp geïnspireerd door de Swarovski Swan.

Lees verder

The 2025 Met Gala

Swarovski Couture Shines on the Red Carpet

130 Years of Joy

In honor of our 130-year anniversary, Swarovski is inviting the world to explore its many facets with a program of unmissable events and limited-edition collections. Rooted in our rich heritage and the vision of our founder, Daniel Swarovski, the House continues to pursue crystal innovation as it enters its next chapter with a multidimensional celebration of light, color, and joy.

World of Swarovski

Illuminating the many facets of Swarovski from heritage to lifestyle and beyond.

Explore all

Ocean-Inspired Jewelry

Our new jewelry families are beautiful works of artistry that feature Swarovski Crystal Pearls, and a palette of blue and green Swarovski Crystals.

Wedding Jewelry & Accessories

Fall in love with beautiful designs infused with the brilliance of crystals. From subtle shimmer to all-out glamour, there’s a piece to complement any wedding style, each deserving of a place on your wedding accessories list.

Disney The Lion King x Swarovski

Commemorate a cherished classic with radiant characters.