The History of Swarovski

Established by the pioneering figure of Daniel Swarovski in Austria in 1895, for 130 years Swarovski, one of the oldest heritage brands in the world, has defined an international repute for exceptional artistry. Crystal cut and polished, and jewelry crafted with a precision matching that of precious and rare gems. Renowned for remarkable clarity and mesmerizing radiance, the savoir-faire of Swarovski Crystals has forged the House’s pre-eminence as the Masters of Light, with breathtaking brilliance captured in every meticulously-crafted stone.

Daniel Swarovski was born in Bohemia, Austria. His father was a glass cutter, like many in the mountainous area where he lived, and Daniel first learned the art of glass cutting in his father's small factory. He was educated in Paris and Vienna before returning to the Tyrol, with its abundance of clean fresh water, to establish his Swarovski Crystal business. 
 Following a visit to the International Electrical Exhibition in Vienna in 1883, Daniel realized that this new form of energy would transform industrial production and it led him to invent the world’s first electric-powered crystal cutting machine. His machine produced a level of clarity in crystal creation that had never been seen before, and enabled him to deliver on his vision of bringing luxury to all. He revealed the magic held within precision-cut crystals that allowed everyone - including the most glamorous women in the world – to shine with a new radiance. The House of Swarovski was born.
Daniel Swarovski was also an innovative leader in his business practices, establishing principles of fairness for communities, and the environment, that are still a guiding light for Swarovski today.​  In particular he knew that water was crucial to Swarovski’s success, and must be treated as a precious resource. 
Now, more than ever, we understand water’s role as the source of all life on earth. To honor Daniel’s legacy, the Swarovski Waterschool program was established in Austria in 2000, and has since evolved to become a global initiative operating within watershed areas of the world’s major rivers. 
This work has ensured access to clean water for schools across the globe, and educated communities on sanitation, hygiene, and water conservation issues. Swarovski Waterschool empowers children to become water ambassadors by providing tools and training to address their local challenges. 

De l’edelweiss alpin au cygne élégant, découvrez l’évolution du logo Swarovski sur 130 ans.

Chez Swarovski, nous privilégions la transparence et valorisons la connaissance de notre histoire.

La famille Swarovski a mandaté un historien économique autrichien pour écrire un ouvrage sur Daniel Swarovski, fondateur de l’entreprise, couvrant sa vie de 1862 à 1956. Elle a garanti une totale indépendance à l’historien dans ses recherches afin de garantir un travail libre de toute influence ou contrainte. Pour l’aider dans son enquête, elle lui a fourni un accès illimité à ses archives. Le livre, intitulé « Es hätte können, alles ganz anders komme… », a été publié par Böhlau en 2025.

Bien que nous ne puissions effacer l’histoire, nous pouvons en tirer des enseignements, et veiller à ce que nos actions actuelles soient une force positive de changement. Swarovski défend fermement la paix et l’humanité. Notre mission est de faire briller le monde, y compris la lumière de la tolérance, de l’inclusivité et de la bienveillance.

Si vous avez des questions à ce sujet, vous pouvez nous contacter à l’adresse corporate.communications@swarovski.com