Trip Report: Swarovski Signing Event and GALA in Los Angeles, CA

Swarovski held it's annual Signing and Gala Event in Los Angeles at the Sofitel Hotel on 

October 29, 2011.
One of our CFC Members from California attended the Signing Event, featuring Swarovski Designer's Anton Hirzinger and Heinz Tabertshofer, bringing several of his pieces to be signed. While there, his partner surprised him with a special gift - the Limited Edition Bald Eagle! 

NICE Surprise!

Approximately 300 Swarovski collectors attended the signing. They were welcomed as they entered the venue with a large display of the goldtone Fortune Cookie introduced in 2010 as a Swarovski Event Gift.

 Photo taken by a Crystal Fanatics Club Member

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The Fortune Cookie was given to collectors, compliments of Swarovski. 

In addition, collectors were given clear crystal stars, as well as some decorative crystals.
While there, attendees were entertained playing Jeopardy for crystal prizes!

 
On display was the Crystal Myriad Matang, Asian Elephant, a Numbered Limited Edition (NLE) of 300, and the 2012 Crystal Myriad Longwang Dragon, NLE of 888, both designed by Heinz Tabertshofer.

Longwang Dragon

Photo taken by a Crystal Fanatics Club Member
©Copyright Crystal Fanatics Club

 
The GALA evening began with a VIP cocktail party reception and dinner.  The bar was decorated with an ice sculpture of a Polar Bear, a reminder of the Swarovski SCS Annual Edition for this year.

Ice Sculpture Polar Bear

 
SCS members were recognized for distinguishing characteristics, like youngest and oldest in attendance, and those who traveled the farthest to attend the event.
 
After dinner, they were entertained by a Lucille Ball look-alike, and other Hollywood look-alike  performers. 

The evening ended with members receiving a set of the New Swarovski Wine Glasses.

Nice Gift!

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The Swarovski Designers

Here's some information about some of our favorite designers of Swarovski Crystal.  Most of the Designers seem to have one thing in common: they trained at the College of Glassmaking in Kramsach, Tyrol, Austria.

Adi Stocker
After completing his education at the renowned College of Glassmaking in Kramsach, Tyrol, he moved to the USA, where he worked at the P. Herrmann glass studio in New Hampshire.
One of the most friendly and interested designers, Adi is probably also the most well known of all the designers, coming to Swarovski in 1988.
He designed the first Annual Edition trilogy and then designed the two major Limited Edition pieces for Swarovski - the Eagle and the Peacock. He also designed the AE Lion, the Ltd Ed. Eagle and Peacock, AE Pegasus, AE Pierrot and Isadora, as well as the Dumbos in 1987 and 1988. Next to Max Schreck, Adi has designed the most creations, but no longer works as a Designer. He is a Director of the Swarovski Design Team and many collectors were disappointed that he would no longer attend the Designer Events.
He lives in the Austrian Tyrol with his wife, Johanna.

Elisabeth Adamer
Attended a 4-year vocational school for arts and crafts in Innsbruck, Elisabeth Adamer graduated from Glasfachschule Kramsachthis, a specialized glass arts school with a degree in design in 2002.
Designer of 2006 Mother, Brother and SCS Sister Bear, and the
2010 Annual Edition Tiger.
Joined Swarovski in November 2004

Anton Hirzinger
Studied at the world-renowned College of Glassmaking in Kramsach.
Anton joined Swarovski in 1986, spending several years demonstrating the art of glass-cutting and engraving for visitors to the Crystal Shop in Wattens.  In 1991, he became a Designer.
He designed the logo pieces for Swarovski - the Maxi Swan and the 1995 Centenary Swan, and many more pieces. He is the designer of the Harlequin AE - his first annual edition piece.
Anton Hirzinger has two children and lives in the Austrian Tyrol.

Peter Heidegger
From the Tyrol
Worked for Swarovski since 1990
Joined the Design Team in May 2006
First Design: The Kaolas
Also designed Lovlots Emily and Max

Edith Mair
Attended the College of Glassmaking in Kramsach
Born in the Austrian Tyrol, Edith joined Swarovski in 1990 and her first creation was the Roe Deer Fawn.
She began the Fairy Tales series with Little Red Riding Hood and the Wolf. Her Sweetheart piece has also been very popular. Other notable designs are the Chimpanzee, St. Bernard, Sweetheart Jewel Box and the Tortoises. She has not yet come to the US for any signing events.

Stefanie Nederegger
Attended the College of Glassmaking and Design in Kramsach.
Joined Swarovski in November 2004.
Stefanie is the designer of the exotic Orchid Blossom and  Orchids, as well as the Mare.

Dominic Schöpf
Born and grew up in the Tyrolean Oberland, where he still lives today.
Joined Swarovski in 2005
Designer of the 2007 Rabbits, Lovlots Gracy, Lt Topaz Seahorses, and the Lt Siam Butterfly Fish.

Gabriele Stamey
Gabriele Stamey was born on May 22, 1956, in Worgl, a small town in the foothills of the Austrian Tyrol. From an early age, she decided to follow her chosen vocation as an artist. After an intensive four-year course of study at the world famous technical school for glass craft and design in Kramsach, she began her career specializing in free-blown goblets. Between 1978 and 1986 she established a name for herself as a freelance glass designer. In 1986, she was one of the first women to join Swarovski's design team, where she soon won recognition with her designs for Silver Crystal. Many Silver Crystal lovers still remember Gabriele Stamey's first designs: the  Miniature Cockerel, Miniature Hen and the three Baby Chicks from the Barnyard Friends series. She then designed a magnificent interpretation of the Santa Maria. The 1997 AE Dragon was her first creation for Swarovski Collectors Society, followed by Columbine in 2000.
Once married to Michael Stamey, Gabriele still works at Swarovski, but no longer works as a Designer.

Michael Stamey
After completing his education at the renowned Technical College of Glassmaking in Kramsach, Michael Stamey went on to study marine biology.
Michael Stamey has contributed substantially to the success of the SCS and joined Swarovski in 1977. He is the designer for all three pieces of the second Annual Edition Trilogy, Mother and Child series.
Most of the ocean fish/shell pieces have been designed by Michael, as well as the Apple, Pear, Tiger, Whale, AE Kudu (1994), Giant Mallard, Maxi Dolphin, the Up In The Trees Series, the Orchids and the Rose.
One of his absolute creative highlights was a chandelier for the Palace of Versailles.
Following his divorce in 1995, Michael Stamey moved back to the United States, and now lives in Orlando, FL.
Michael is well loved by Collectors, and we were sorry to see him leave Swarovski in 2007.

Heinz Tabertshofer
Heinz worked in the Production Dept before becoming a Swarovski Designer. For almost twenty years, the talented toolmaker played a leading role in the production of Silver Crystal items, making tools for the production of Swarovski models, and engravings.
His first piece, the German Shephard, was designed in 1999. The Fighting Fish is his favorite piece.
His designs include the Cobra, Camel,  Grizzly and Cockatoo.
Born in the Austrian Tyrol, Heinz Tabertshofer lives in Wattens with his wife and two children.

Martin Zendron
Born in the Tyrol, Zendron graduated from the world-renowned College of Glassmaking and Design in Kramsach, Austria.
In 1988 Martin became a designer for Swarovski.
Martin created the very popular AE Elephant along with the AE Unicorn, Kris Bear pieces, some Ornaments, the Sleigh and Santa, Harp, Lute, Saxophone, Piano, the Stallions, and Oriental Flacon. In 2001, he designed the 2001 Ltd Ed. Wild Horses, and the 2003 AE Antonio. He has attended  signings worldwide.
Zendron, an avid diver,  is now a Director for the Design Team at Swarovski and is no longer designing pieces for Swarovski.

Other well-known designers include:
Max Schreck
Max Schreck was the first recognized designer - his creation, the Mouse in 1976 designed from chandelier parts, began the whole animal figurine series. This led to everything else! Max also created the Annual Edition Lovebirds with the assistance of Adi Stocker. But now Max is given full credit for designing the Lovebirds. Mr. Schreck  passed away in 1997 and it is believed he never signed any of his creations. His designs number over 80 including the paperweights and candleholders, Treasure Boxes and so many of the animals! Most of Max's designs, if not all, have been retired.


Other known designers include:
Keiko Arai
Joel Desgrippes (Selection)
Mario Dilitz
Nicole Dupont
Ysmine Hurel
Hermann Koch
Elke Kumar
Julia Limpke - Julia's World Collection
Alessandro Mendini - Daniel Swarovski Collection
Kurt Mignon
Darko Mladenovic
Andree Putnam
Anton Poppinger
Andre Putman
Eva Marie Ried
Claudia Schneiderbauer
Roland Schuster
Borek Sipek
Ettore Sottsass
Ludwig Redl
Stefano Ricci
Sharon & Steven Weinberg
Verena Castelein

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

 

Swarovski Horses

The Swarovski Soulmates Satin Stallion is Swarovski's newest addition to its Collection of Horses.
Designed by Heinz Tabertshofer, it is made of faceted Satin crystal standing on a Caffee Brown granite base.  

Retail price is approximately $1025 USD.

Swarovski has produced a number of Horses since 2000:

In 2002, a small Zodiac Horse was released, designed by Anton Hirzinger & retired in 2005.
The Horse (formerly from the Symbols line) by Mario Dilitz - Retired in 2006
Arabian Stallion by Martin Zendron - Retired in 2005
Swarovski White Stallion by Martin Zendron -  Retired 2005
The Mare by Stefanie Nederegger - Retires in 2011
The Foals by Martin Zendron retire in 2011, to be replaced by a new color rendition

The Stallion, designed by Stefanie Nederegger, introduced in 2007, a fairly large piece & still available for purchase.

A Chinese Zodiac Horse is being released in 2011 in Golden Shine with Smoked Topaz eyes on a Faceted clear crystal base, featuring the name of the animal in English and traditional Chinese seal script.

In 2009, in collaboration with students from the Central Academy of the Fine Arts in Beijing, a Chinese Silver Shade Zodiac Horse was issued.

Also issued in 2009, Amurath Arabian Stallion, a Numbered Limited Edition from the elite Crystal Myriad Collection, designed by Elisabeth Adamer & is no longer available. Amurath was Limited to 300 individually numbered pieces worldwide & crafted with 32,098 hand-set Jet, Crystal Metallic Blue and Mocca crystals.

Released in 2011, 3 Swarovski Lovlots Horses have been released - Rosalie, Jasmine & Jade, a Limited Edition, all designed by Peter Heidegger.

One of the largest horse figurines was the Swarovski Wild Horses, a dazzling Beauty that was a numbered limited edition (NLE) figurine available in 2001 to Members of SCS.  Only 10,000 were produced.  Designed by Martin Zendron, & now retired, it had a retail price of $4,000.

Other figurines of horses were released in the past in various sizes and shapes in the E&R Circus Collection, as well as the E&R Great Wilderness Collection, Crystal Memories, & by Zales Jewelers.

ALL of these issues can be viewed in our FABULOUS CFC Photo Galleries !

There's LOTS MORE to learn about Collecting Swarovski!
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© Copyright 1999-2011. Crystal Fanatics Club, Inc.
For Collectors of Swarovski Crystal

Swarovski Certificates of Authority (COA)

Now that Swarovski has made the decision to cease production of their COA's, as well as inclusion with most of their issues, here's a quick history of Swarovski's many changes in the COA.

The Swarovski COA is an acronym for Swarovski Certificate of Authenticity. When referring to Swarovski crystal collectibles, many collectors refer to the generic booklet as the Swarovski COA.
In 1988, Swarovski began issuing this booklet entitled 'Swarovski certificate'. 
While the literature includes the word 'certificate' on the front, in reality, it is product literature, simply advertising other Swarovski crystal figurines manufactured by Swarovski.  
And, a lot of collectors insisted that a Swarovski certificate be included with their crystal in order for it to be considered a completed Mint in Box (MIB) edition. However, we never saw the crystal command higher prices because a Swarovski certificate was included in the box.  

For the majority of Swarovski crystal products, the Swarovski COA was truly a generic product booklet that could be interchanged easily with other Swarovski crystal products.

The question that so many Swarovski collectors have is "Just how important are the Swarovski Certificates?" 

The answer to that question depends on the Swarovski crystal piece in question. If the Swarovski crystal is an Annual Edition (AE), Limited Edition (LE), or Numbered Limited Edition (NLE), or a Ltd Edition Chinese Zodiac (see below), or any issue that is numbered, the Swarovski Certificate of Authenticity is extremely important. For all these types of pieces, the Swarovski certificate is intricate to the issue of the item. You really cannot swap them from other pieces as they are specific to that issue; for example, the Lovebirds certificate and the Woodpeckers certificate cannot be interchanged. In the case of the numbered limited editions, the Swarovski certificate contains the edition number and should match the edition number imprinted on the crystal.

Swarovski Certificate of Authenticity for Chinese Zodiacs

The limited edition Chinese Zodiac figurines also include a unique

Swarovski certificate of authenticity.

All these Chinese Zodiacs have a fold-out card titled 'The Chinese Zodiac'.  

The information is printed in both Chinese and English. This is not a Swarovski certificate of authenticity; it is a brochure that discusses the Chinese Zodiac astrology personalities and is included with all Chinese Zodiac figurines.  However, the limited edition Chinese Zodiac figurines also have a 

certificate of authenticity specific to that figurine.

Be sure that your limited edition Chinese Zodiac, or any of the other special editions mentioned above, includes the Swarovski certificate of authenticity for maximum resale value.

If the Swarovski crystal is an item from any other Swarovski product line, the Swarovski COA is generic and can easily be exchanged from other crystal in the same product line.

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

The Swarovski Numbered Limited Editions (NLE)

Swarovski issued the first Numbered Limited Edition (NLE) in 1995, with the introduction of the 'The Eagle'. The NLE's are only available to Members of the Swarovski Crystal Society (SCS), and on the Secondary Market after the piece retires (usually the same year), and limited to an issue of 10,000 pieces.
The piece is Numbered and Laser etched with the Swan logo, the year of issue, and the Designer's Signature. Adi Stocker was the Designer for The Eagle. Its bill and talons are in solid Sterling Silver, and rhodium-plated to prevent tarnishing. A framed certificate is with the signatures of Adi Stocker and Helmut Swarovski is included.
Only 2,900 of 10,000 Eagles were allocated for distribution in the U.S. to SCS members.
The Eagle was created to commemorate Swarovski´s 100th Anniversary and comes in special case with a key to secure case closure.
The Eagle originally sold for $1,750 and today is worth thousands more to collectors.
One problem that seems to prevail with this piece is the feathers fall off at the glue joints; however the following issues don't seem to have any major problems.

The Eagle was followed by the Peacock in 1998, The Wild Horses in 2001, The Bull in 2004 (both well-liked issues), the Black Bull in 2005 (only 1,000 of these were issued and it is now worth in excess of $15,000), The Elephant in 2006, and the Rhinoceros in 2008 ( a big flop for Swarovski).

A NEW NLE will be issued in April 2011.
And, IF you are a member of the Crystal Fanatics Club, you've already seen the stunning photos of this piece in Full Living Color! It is Spectacular!

Want to Know More about the NLE's ? ? ?
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© Copyright 1999-2011. Crystal Fanatics Club, Inc.
For Collectors of Swarovski Crystal