Swarovski Acronyms

Acronyms are often used by Collectors when discussing Swarovski crystal. 

Here are some of them:

AE - Annual Edition
MIB - Mint in Box
NRFB - Never Removed from Box
MRP - Manufacturer's Retail (Original) Price
SC - Silver Crystal (Product Line)
E&R - Ebeling & Reuss (Product Line)
CM - Crystal Memories / Moments
D.S. - Daniel Swarovski
NLE - Numbered Limited Editions
Ltd. Ed. - Limited Edition
SCS - Swarovski Crystal Society (Members)
CFC - Crystal Fanatics Club (Members)

CV - Current Value.  The term CV is often used to place a 'current value' on a Swarovski retired piece. This term is often misused in online auctions.  Current values are usually an insurance value (what you would collect from an insurance company for a damaged piece if your collection is insured), not a suggested selling value.  No seller should ever expect a Swarovski figurine to sell for any quoted insurance value, as they are usually highly inflated. Additionally, If the item is sold using a secondary market specialist, their commission is often factored into the value's selling price. For many years, Swarovski values increased over the years. Unfortunately, this has not been the case in recent years.

Always remember that, unless it's a piece that is rarely found in the marketplace, that its value is only worth what someone is willing to pay for it.

Want to Learn MORE about Collecting Swarovski ?

Come JOIN US ~ You'll be GLAD you did!
http://www.CrystalFanaticsClub.com


© Copyright 1999-2011. Crystal Fanatics Club, Inc.
For Collectors of Swarovski Crystal

WHY Join a Collecting Club ?

If you are visiting collecting club websites, you are probably confronted with all kinds of statements about why collectors should join one club or another.

• "A serious collector is an educated collector and you can become an educated collector by joining our club."
  
• "A great way to become `connected' for buying, selling or trading."
  
• "To meet other collectors and develop friendships that can last a lifetime."
  
• "To gain knowledge on values, reproductions and how to care for my collection."

These are all very valid reasons to join a collecting club... and, there are dozens more, we're sure.

Some clubs do a tremendous job with membership services, Bulletin Boards, an educational website, annual meetings, price guides and research projects, resource libraries and archives, collector insurance programs, reproduction alerts, ethics guidelines for both collectors and dealers, extensive Photo Galleries, annual membership collector's items, and much more! 

Membership in most clubs is a real bargain - a year's worth of service is often offered for about the same price you would pay for your daily newspaper.

Another factor to consider is that for most clubs, we are only talking about a one year commitment. Membership dues are usually for 12 months.  At that time, you can choose to either renew for another year or two, or not.

Even for a beginner who is maybe only mildly interested in a collecting area, what better way is there to determine if you want to become a more serious collector? A year's worth of member services from a club supporting a collecting area you might be interested in can help you "weigh your decision."

OK, so maybe you're not that much of a joiner.  It still is the most practical way of letting the collecting club sell you on which area to eventually collect more seriously through the simple technique of comparison shopping. Let the clubs sell you on collecting in their area.

Another option, without the obligation of actively paying membership dues, simply ask a collecting club you may be interested in to send you some information on their club and the collecting area they support. Maybe you know someone who belongs to a collecting club, get a recommendation from them!

Now, getting back to the original question, "Why Join a collecting club?"
Probably the best answer is because YOU want to. It has to be your decision.
Like your collection itself, it's a personal thing. You decide what to collect... what to buy... how to display it... and everything else connected with your collection.
Most collecting clubs exist to support and help collectors, and deliver an excellent service to their members.

The Crystal Fanatics Club (CFC) For Collectors of Swarovski Crystal is such a club.
Avid collectors from across the world have been members and, most importantly, 'friends' for more than 12 years!

Our Crystal Fanatics Club members form the heart of a community united by an affinity for Swarovski Crystal. 

Want to Learn MORE about your Swarovski Collection ?

Come JOIN US! You'll be GLAD you did!
http://www.CrystalFanaticsClub.com

Proud Member of the Association of Collecting Clubs (ACC)
and the National Association of Collectors (NAC)

© Copyright 1999-2011. Crystal Fanatics Club, Inc.
For Collectors of Swarovski Crystal

Insuring Your Collection

Most insurers that offer collectibles insurance will cover a wide variety of collections, including crystal and glass figurines. Some collections, for example, a Swarovski collection, are valuable because they are hard to find, part of a series, an Annual Edition, or a Numbered Ltd. Edition (NLE). These items require insurance.

Some important factors to consider:

• Be sure to keep your collection insured for its full Current Value, otherwise known as the CV.
• Software programs for your computer do exist and make it easier to catalog especially large collections, as well as provide the ability to update it when new items are added; however, we have found that upgrades are usually not provided & eventually the software vendor goes out of business, so you no longer have support either. Using a spreadsheet like Excel, or a Database, like Access, is a better choice.
  
• Some losses are not covered, even under an all-risk policy. Most policies apply a deductible, but cover accidental breakage. Exclusions and deductibles vary by company or where you live, so be sure to ask questions first before you purchase.
• The size of your collection and the Total Value (CV) determines the cost of your premium. In many instances, the yearly cost for the premium is affordable when you consider the risks.
• A single limited edition art object valued at greater than $2,500.00 should be insured and listed separately with your insurance company. The best policies are offered by companies that deal specifically in art valued collectibles and antiques.
  
• It's easy to find the value of your collectibles IF you are a Swarovski Collector - just JOIN Us at the Crystal Fanatics Club (CFC) for Collectors of Swarovski Crystal. Our Photo Galleries feature every piece issued by Swarovski with allthe  pertinent information you need, including the current CV.
  
• For other collections, there are various Books and Guides that can be purchased to estimate the value of your collection.

Come JOIN The Crystal Fanatics to Learn All About Swarovski !

Crystal Fanatics Club
The Premier website For Collectors of Swarovski Crystal !

© Copyright 1999-2011. Crystal Fanatics Club, Inc.

The Crystal Myriad Collection

Limited Edition Masterpieces - Not for the Faint of Heart

The luxurious Swarovski exclusive Pointiage® technique is now applied to a new line of masterfully crafted objects of art. Each creation is individually handcrafted 'on demand', individually hand-set, and comes with a certificate of authenticity.

The four motifs in the Crystal Myriad Collection include:

• The flying dragon – Jinlong (now sold out), designed by Heinz Tabertshofer, a limited edition of 300 & sold for $18,000. Decorated with 63,110 crystals in 21 different shades of gold, red and green.
  
• The Asian elephant – Matang, designed by Heinz Tabertshofer, a limited edition of 300, sells for $12,000 with 46,856 Smoky Quartz, Smoked Topaz, Light Smoked Topaz & Black Diamond crystals.
  
• The Arabian stallion named Amurath (sold out) - a limited edition of 300 sold for $8,000, designed by Elisabeth Adamer with 32,098 single Jet, Metallic Blue & Mocca crystals.
  
• The falcon, Alsaqr Almalaki is Arabic for royal falcon and captures the flight of the falcon. Designed by Elisabeth Adamer and retails at $15,500.00. Adorned with 43,164 White Opal, Black Diamond, Jet Nut, Jet Hematite and clear crystals on a Blue Pearl granite base.

The unique Pointiage® technique takes Swarovski artisans numerous hours to accomplish as each of the thousands of crystals is carefully set by hand in  a 'myriad of crystal'. In ancient Greek math it referred to 10,000 and in poetry to a large sum; hence, the name Crystal Myriad.

Each piece is a numbered limited edition, and a truly unique object of art, crafted with great skill and the highest attention to detail.

Each of the masterpieces is standing on an exclusively fitted base of either marble or granite. The bottoms of the bases are covered with a protective felt and carry a seal with the number of issue.


Come JOIN US! to Learn More about your Swarovski Crystal Collection.

Crystal Fanatics Club

© Copyright 1999-2011. Crystal Fanatics Club, Inc.
For Collectors of Swarovski Crystal

Do I Need Insurance for My Collection ?

Often, your homeowner's insurance will only include insurance for your collectibles up to a certain amount. Many only offer coverage up to $1,000 to $1800.00.  Far too many collectors... even those with very significant collections, have no insurance protection beyond their homeowners policy, and this isn't enough.

The Crystal Fanatics Club (CFC) For Collectors of Swarovski Crystal offers our U.S.A. membership convenient ways to have their collections properly insured.

CFC is a Member of The Association of Collecting Clubs and National Association of Collectors. We are able to offer and endorse an excellent insurance program to our Members through our association with them. They also provide insurance policies for antique malls and shops, antique dealer insurance and coverage for antique shows. Serving the antiques and collectibles industry with quality insurance is their expertise.

We highly endorse this insurance program for collectors and urge you to take a look at what it offers.  For collectors, where can you get $20,000 in coverage for only $75.00 a year? Or, how about $100,000 worth for $288.00/year or $200,000 worth for $538.00/year?

Some important factors to consider when insuring your Collection:

* Be sure to keep your collection insured for its full Estimated Current Value.
* Software programs for your computer do exist and make it easier to catalog especially large collections, as well as provide the ability to update it when new items are added.
* Some losses are not covered, even under an all-risk policy. Most policies apply a deductible, but cover accidental breakage. Exclusions and deductibles vary by company, so be sure to ask questions first before you purchase.
* The size of your collection and the Total Value determines the cost of your premium. In many instances, the yearly cost for the premium is affordable when you consider the risks.
* A single limited edition art object valued at greater than $2,500.00 should be insured and listed separately with your insurance company. The best policies are offered by companies that deal specifically in art valued collectibles and antiques.
* It's easy to find the value of your collectibles - Our CFC Photo Galleries feature just about every piece issued by Swarovski with all pertinent information, including the current value.

For more information on insurance for your Collectibles,
Come JOIN US!

Crystal Fanatics Club

© Copyright 1999-2011. Crystal Fanatics Club, Inc.
For Collectors of Swarovski Crystal