The Swarovski Chess Sets

The Swarovski Chess Sets are some of the more unique items issued by Swarovski. 

The original set, the Swarovski Wooden Chess Set, was introduced in 1984 and retired in 1986. The Chess board is distinguished by a pale brown color tinted with yellow and chocolate brown squares on the playing board, surrounded by a wood frame. Convenient storage of the actual chess pieces is provided inside the board with a lock and key to secure them. It was only available in the USA and Canada.

In 1984, the Swarovski Glass Chess Set was introduced.  The glass board is a mirror with a frosted border and frosted squares to create the checkerboard pattern for the playing board. Some of the cases allow the board and chess pieces to be stored in either a single case or separately. The Swarovski logo is displayed on the outside of the Gray leatherette storage case. It retired in 2007.

Chess pieces included: 1 King, 1 Queen, 2 Bishops, 2 Knights, 2 Rooks, and 8 Pawns for each player with half the figurines in clear crystal and the other half in black crystal. 

 

Both were issued with the same product number. 

 

Chess pieces were also available separately; this was convenient for collectors who may have lost or damaged chess pieces, making it possible to replace them at a much lower cost than purchasing the entire chess set.  The Glass Chess Board and the Glass Chess Case were also sold separately.

The Chess sets were produced during the period when the official Swarovski logo changed, so the chess pieces can be found issued with both the old SC Block and Swan logos. The logos are not on the pieces, but instead a sticker was used, found on the underside of the chess pieces.

At CrystalFanaticsClub.com, you will find Photos of ALL the Swarovski Issues in our FABULOUS CFC Photo Galleries, featuring Photos in Full Color, the Swarovski Product Name, Product Number, Designer, Current Value, Year of Issue and Retirement (if applicable) for every issue.
No More Need for outdated Collector Books.

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The 'Valuation' Controversy Rages on..........

Among those of us who are Crystal Fanatics, the controversy over the values for our retired Swarovski Crystal collectibles is often discussed. At one time, many of us would buy low and sell high to obtain and reinvest in our collection. Those days are long gone, as the values for most collectibles have plummeted in recent years. Of course, there are the occasional few pieces that will increase in value, but they have become far and few between.  Some collectors collect just for the pure joy of owning and being able to admire their collection, but for those of us who bought years ago when the prices were high, well that's another story.

While doing a little research this week, I was troubled at the considerable difference between values in a once popular publication that appraises Swarovski Crystal on an annual basis, and the actual selling prices in the marketplace.

Case in point: let's take a look at a few recent sales during the end of August, 2011 timeframe. Bear in mind that I am quoting the values from the 2010 'annual edition' publication. It is is also noteworthy to remember that the valuations from this publication are for 'Mint in Box' (MIB) Swarovski crystal pieces, including the accompaning certificates, which Swarovski is phasing out. And that the selling prices were obtained from a public, very popular, long-time auction site that is used to sell everything from 'soup to nuts' on a worldwide basis.

The FIRST SCS Annual Edition Trilogy
The Lovebirds -
Sold on 8/28 MIB for $1325 and  on 9/4 for $960 without a box.
Estimated Retail Value: $3300.00
Listings at $1995 & $2809 were a No Sale

The Woodpeckers -
Sold on 8/21 MIB for $825; Sold on 9/4 for $441 with no box
Estimated Retail Value: $1375.00
Listings @ $650, $999 MIB & $1500 were a No Sale.

The Turtledoves -
Sold on 8/28 for $335 MIB; Sold again in August for $260.68  and again for $292.50 with no box
Estimated Retail Value: $750.00
Listings all the way from $450 up to $859.95 were a No Sale.

The Rare In Flight Series (because of their rarity & age, they are often found with no box or cert)
Gold Hummingbird -
Sold on 8/21 & 8/28 for $479.99 with no box; and on 8/23 for $399.95 with no box
Estimated Retail Value: $950.00

Gold Bee -
Sold on 8/21 & 8/28 with box & cert for $689.99
Estimated Retail Value: $1350.00

141 Tulip Candleholders
Sold on 8/21 & 8/28 for $499.99 MIB
Estimated Retail Value: $950.00

Maxi Dolphin
Sold on 8/25 MIB for $393.88
Estimated Retail Value: $725.00
Listings from $399 to $649.99 were a No Sale.

Giant Owl
Sold on 8/23 for $823.69 and on 9/4 for $861.69 MIB
Estimated Retail Value: $1600
Listings for $875 and $1699 were a No Sale.

Maxi Flower
Sold on 8/27 for $299.99 on 8/27 MIB
Estimated Retail Value: $450
Listings for $359.99 and $615.79 were a No Sale.

5th Anniversary Birthday Cake
Sold for $79 MIB on 8/30
Estimated Retail Value: $220

While I am aware that these are just a few items, I think the point has been made.
I also will concede that the 'publication' I am referring to is definitely good if you need documentation to make an insurance claim & that the values include commission costs for secondary market dealers. However, who pays full price nowadays? which is what will happen if you buy from a secondary market specialist. And, more importantly,  does that justify the cost to purchase these editions yearly? or the obvious discrepancy between selling prices and valuations? Therein is where the controversy arises.
You decide.


One thing is for certain: Swarovski Crystal is worth what someone is willing to pay for it!

The Crystal Fanatics Club maintains a Photo Gallery in Full Color of more than 9,000 Photos. The majority of Photos include all the Swarovsk Crystal issues. The Photo Galleries are offered FREE to our CFC Members with a $29.95 yearly membership, less than the cost of your daily newspaper, and certainly less than the Cost of the books mentioned in this article. Included with the Photos are all the information you need to know to document your collection: Product number, Designer, Theme Group, a brief description, Size, the appropriate Logo, Original Cost, and an estimated Current Value (for whatever that's 'worth').
And, we are vigilant about adding New Issues and maintaining the Galleries so that they are up-to-date. Many of the photos are from the collections of our very own Crystal Fanatics.

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The Swarovski Clocks

While Swarovski may be best known for its crystal figurines, they also make functional items as well. Some of the most useful are the Swarovski Clocks.

Swarovski issued time pieces of elegance in the Silver Crystal line; some of the oldest clocks were produced from 1987 through 1992.

• Swarovski Athena Clock
• Belle Époque Clock
• Colosseum Clock (only available in the European market); in addition a 'special edition' had a religious motif on it
• El Dorado Clock (only available in the European market)
• Napoleon Clock
• Polar Star Clock

Worth mentioning also is the Solaris Clock, 1998-2004 originally in the Silver Crystal line & later moved to Crystal Home Accessories in 2002.

These clocks were available, with the exception of the Solaris, in 2 different metal finishes in gold and rhodium. They were also available with 3 different faces, allowing you to choose one of 3 styles:

• Alarm face - a simple face with roman numerals
• Date face - had numbers 1-31 instead of the “3” on the face to indicate the day of the month
• Moon Dial face - also had roman numerals, but other dials on the face also indicated the phase of the moon.

Each clock had ‘Swarovski’ printed across the face.

Seiko precision clock movements were used in what was then known as the Selection product line (now Home Interiors) and included:

• Enigma Carriage Clock: 1992 – 1998 Limited Edition of 6450 units with a removable base
• Helios Table Clock: 1992 – 2004 Roman numerals are displayed in the crystal component & of note is the fact that the number four on this clock is a III rather than IV.
• Curacao Table Clock: 1995 – 2000 clear crystal with a beautiful a blue natural Sodalith stone displayed on the front of it.
• Providence Table Clock: 1998 – 2003 this was a numbered edition & the most expensive clock, retailing at $850.
• Allegra Pendulum Clock: 1999 – 2004 numbered pendulum clock, done in an art deco style.
• Op Art Clock: 2002 – 2004 conical crystal with classic long facets; funky abstract décor without any numbers on the clock face & two drop-shaped metal front feet. The Artist's signature, Anna Gili, is engraved on the back of the clock. This issue had different product numbers assigned for pieces issued in the U.S.A. & Europe.

Swarovski made a single clock in the Daniel Swarovski Home Accessories product line, the Cadence Table Clock, from 2002 – 2005. This clock has the Daniel Swarovski logo on it.

Swarovski also issued a few non-functioning clocks in the Crystal Moments (formerly Crystal Memories) product line:

an Alarm Clock 1998 – 2002 and Mantle Clock: 1996 – 2001

Functioning clocks in the Crystal Moments product line were part of the 'Secrets' theme group & they opened, hiding a 'secret clock' inside:

• Book Clock : 1999 – 2003
• Gift Clock: 1997 – 2004
• Globe Clock: 1997 – 2004
• Handbag Clock: 1997 – 2004

A Kris Bear functioning Clock in this line was also issued from 1997 – 2002. Kris wears a green & red ribbon.

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Daniel Swarovski Crystal Product line

About the Daniel Swarovski Crystal Product line

Daniel Swarovski Art Objects ~ 3 well-known Italian designers were commissioned to produce this line of products: Ettore Sottsass, Alessandro Mendini, and Stefano Ricci. All studied architecture before turning their talents to crystal. Each piece is signed and numbered, and issued with the artist's signature, as well as Mr. Helmuth Swarovski's signature. If you got a LOT of money, you can collect these items. A VERY limited number of each piece was issued (ie., 100, 250, 500) and issue prices ranged from $1060 (rare) ALL THE WAY to $42,800.00 (yep, you're reading that right!) ~ For the VERY "ELITE" collector!

For example, The Swarovski Centrotavola Centerpiece, designed by Mendini was issued in the Daniel Swarovski product line in 1989.  So are you wondering just how rare it is?  Swarovski only produced 250 of them with an issue price of $15,000.  The Centrotavola bowl is a Swarovski Numbered Limited Edition. Each come with a numbered certificate, matching the number engraved on the bowl.    This magnificent centerpiece measures a little more than 10" in diameter.

You would think that a Swarovski limited edition figurine of 250 units would hold the original retail price, but it hasn't done so.

So what does this mean to Crystal Fanatics? 
There are a lot of factors that contribute to whether or not a retired Swarovski piece holds its value.  In this case, the biggest factors certainly include the current state of the economy, and the overall appeal to the collector.  With the economy still weak, the trading prices on the majority of retired Swarovski collectibles, as well as the Collectibles industry itself, is pretty much 'down the tubes'.   Why ?
Swarovski crystal is not a necessity, but a luxury; subsequently, collectors are spending less money on it and/or selling off their collections.  Moreover, there are many collectors who still prefer to collect the animal figurines and sculptures.  

The Daniel Swarovski Product Line also introduced a Home Accessories series in 2002. Again, the price points for this line were not for the faint of heart.

At CrystalFanaticsClub.com, you will find Photos of ALL the Swarovski Issues, including the Daniel Swarovski line, in our FABULOUS Photo Galleries, featuring Photos in Full Color, the Swarovski Product Name, Product Number, Designer, Current Value, Year of Issue and Retirement (if applicable) for every issue.

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ANOTHER Ltd Edition Soulmates PANTHER to be released !

In the color of Orange Shine crystal!

Details:

• Designed by Heinz Tabertshofer
• Numbered on the cut Black Spot granite base 
• Limited to 888 issues
• Size:  21 X 18 cm (8 1/4 X 7 1/16 inches)
• Availability:  exclusively in the Swarovski Online Shop on August 29, 2011 (European Time)
• First come, first served basis while stock lasts.

DID YOU KNOW ? 

• This is the 3rd Soulmates Panther released in color. The previous releases: 
• Crystal Moroda, reflecting the Panther's natural color from a metallic blue to warm bronze with brown-black tones, retailing at $960. This is not an online exclusive & currently available (2011).
• Black Panther, another online exclusive of 500 that was only available for 48 hours before selling out (2010) for $960 and retired. It is valued in excess of $3,000.
• Swarovski produced 33 different colors of the Panther.
• The Crystal Soulmates Panther was first introduced in 2007 and retires this year (2011).

Will Crystal Fanatics get a bit wary of these on-line exclusive repeats ?

Stay Tuned!

Photos of ALL the Soulmates Panthers in ALL their various colors are in our FABULOUS CFC Photo Galleries!  

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The Premier website For Collectors of Swarovski Crystal !

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