CRYSTAL FANATICS CLUB

CRYSTAL FANATICS CLUB
CELEBRATING 15 YEARS !

Thursday, September 8, 2011

Do You Know About the Swarovski 'Employee Awards' ???

Most the Swarovski 'Employee Awards' are in the form of paperweights in various sizes, issued to employees of Swarovski as gifts, in commemoration of their service to Swarovski. Employees who work for Swarovski of America Ltd (SAL) and the Jewelry Division receive them. Among some of these issues are: 3, 5, 10, 15, & 20 Year Paperweights.
There were also awards for employees in the Consumer Goods Division, as well as the Swarovski Components Division
We even found an old Giftware Suite Sales Conference Paperweight that is in the Collection of one of our Crystal Fanatics.

A special Centenary Paperweight was also issued as an Employee and Retailer Gift in 1995 to celebrate Swarovski's 100th Anniversary. Known as the 'Centenar' (a German word for a person reaching 100 years old), it is a 60mm Paperweight with 100 crystal facets, issued in special 100 Year packaging.

Authorized Swarovski Retailers are also given paperweights for their successful sales.
Among them are the Retailers SCS 20 Award in 2006 and some retailers have received a Large Crystal Chaton for sales in excess of a certain amount.

A special book called "Metamorphosis" was given to some Swarovski employees in 2001; the book cover is encrusted with 1,849 crystals.

Because these issues are not issued to the public, they are highly sought after by 'Crystal Fanatics' who love adding them to their collections.

You can SEE ALL of these RARE, Exclusive Issues in our FABULOUS CFC Photo Galleries!

Come JOIN The Crystal Fanatics here to Learn MORE About Your Swarovski Collection.
Crystal Fanatics Club
The 'Official" Premier website For Collectors of Swarovski Crystal !


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

Wednesday, September 7, 2011

The Swarovski Thimbles

The  Swarovski Thimbles were produced in the 90's with frosted birds perched on top of clear crystal thimbles, produced under the “Crystal Colors” name in the European market. They were never distributed in the U.S.A.
The Swarovski Thimbles figurines were available with 5 different birds on 2 different thimble bases - the Pinecone base and the Straight, sometimes called the Barrel base.
The 5 different Swarovski birds are (left to right):

  • Cockatoo on Thimble
  • Toucan on Thimble
  • Eagle on Thimble
  • Owl on Thimble
  • Parrot on Thimble
The crystal thimbles are approximately 2.25” tall. The retail price is unknown, but they are estimated to be valued between $100 – $200 each on the secondary market. They are fairly difficult to find sometimes. 
 
You can See ALL the Swarovski issues in our FABULOUS CFC Photo Galleries!

Come JOIN the 'Crystal Fanatics' here
Crystal Fanatics Club
The 'Official' Premier website 

For Collectors of Swarovski Crystal !

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

For Collectors of Swarovski Crystal

Tuesday, September 6, 2011

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.

Come JOIN The 'Crystal Fanatics' here to Learn More about your Swarovski Crystal Collection
The 'Official' Premier site on the Web 
For Collectors of Swarovski Crystal

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

Sunday, September 4, 2011

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

Saturday, September 3, 2011

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

Thursday, September 1, 2011

The Swarovski Kris Bears

39 or so Kris Bears have been issued by Swarovski, as part of the Crystal Moments product line. I really don't know why they just do not have their own individual product line, like the Lovlots, since there are so many of them. Each figurine depicts a certain occasion, message an activity. Older issues included picture frames and a working clock. One set of issues portrayed bears from different countries. And, of course, there are the Christmas ornaments. 
 
The newest lot issued during 2011 include:

A Rose For You - Clear crystal bears holding a rose in Bordeaux and a silver-tone metal stem, retailing at $165.

You and I - two faceted clear crystal bears depicted in a marriage ceremony; the grrom's bow tie is in Light Sapphire Satin crystal & she carries a Violet crystal flower with Amethyst details. They also retail for $165.

Ltd. Edition Halloween - Trick or treat! Clear crystal, Halloween Kris Bear carries a vibrant Red Topaz crystal pumpkin lantern with a silver-tone metal handle. Only Available While supplies last, retailing at $100, and will retire at year end.


Ltd. Edition Annual Edition Christmas Bear - dated,standing Christmas Bear carrying a decorated green crystal Christmas Tree. He also retires at the end of the year and retails for $100.

Come JOIN The 'Crystal Fanatics' to Learn MORE About Your Swarovski Collection.

    Crystal Fanatics Club
The 'Official" Premier website 
For Collectors of Swarovski Crystal !


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




  


Wednesday, August 31, 2011

The Swarovski TIGERS

Swarovski Tiger Paperweight – This unique product was issued in 2 different metal colors in gold and pewter, available at a retail price of $95.  Resting on a crystal cal 60mm round paperweight, they were part of the Swarovski Trimlite line, in the “Crystal Sculptures” theme group. These are very difficult to find and command prices of $800 – $1200 dollars in the secondary market.  They were issued in 1983 and retired in 1986.

The Silver Crystal Tiger -
Faceted clear crystal Tiger with Light Topaz crystal eyes in the Silver Crystal product line, designed by Michael Stamey. Issued 1998 and retired in 2002, valued in excess of $250.00.
Did You Know? There is a golden shadow Protoype of this issue that 'left the factory' out the back door.

A series of 'Zodiac Tigers' have been released.

Zodiac Tiger - 'Golden Shine' Ltd. Edition. Designed in conjunction with the CAFA & available exclusively in China, Taiwan, Hong Kong and Macau from October 2009 to the end of the year of the Tiger (February 2011). Eyes shine in Moroda Sahara crystal and the faceted clear crystal base is engraved ‘Limited Edition 2010’, along with the zodiac name in English and Chinese seal script.
This piece retailed for a whopping $2400.00.

Zodiac Tiger - Large, Golden  Shine, Issued in 2011, retailing at $860, as described above.

Zodiac Tiger
– 'Silver Shine' - Again, in conjunction with the CAFA, this tiger belongs to the  “Chinese Zodiac” series, issued in silver shade crystal. Faceted clear crystal base, with an engraved matte finish, highlighting the name of the zodiac in English and Chinese seal script. Represents those born in 1902, 1914, 1926, 1938, 1950, 1962, 1974, 1986, 1998, and 2010 and retails for $300.  Issued in 2009.

Zodiac Tiger - Clear Crystal, Not to be confused with the other issues mentioned here, this tiger was produced in the Silver Crystal line, designed by Anton Hirzinger,  issued in 2003, & retiring in 2005. This tiger initially listed for $65.00 and is a much smaller version than the other Zodiac issues.

Swarovski SCS Tiger – The Annual Edition (AE) Swarovski Tiger, designed by Elisabeth Adamer, was available exclusively to SCS members in 2010 in a 'Golden Shine' color. It was the final figurine in the  “Endangered Wildlife”Trilogy. It also marked the end of the Annual Edition Trilogies.
SCS Annual Editions are now introduced as a 'single' product; however, 'companion' items (see below) are issued with them, driving up the cost of an AE 'set' to more than a $1,000 in 2011. 
The Swarovski SCS Tiger itself retailed for $450.

SCS Tiger Cub, Standing 
Two issues of the standing tiger cub were available to SCS members in 2010, depending on whether it was purchased or provided as a loyalty gift for purchasing the entire “Endangered Wildlife” trilogy.  The non-gift figurine retailed for $180 and was issued with a different product number. Like the SCS tiger, they were issued in the 'golden shine' color.


 SCS Tiger Cub, Sitting - This Swarovski tiger cub was available to SCS members in 2010 as a  complimentary figurine to the SCS tiger. It retailed for $180 in 2010.


All the 'Tiger' issues can be seen in our FABULOUS CFC Photo Galleries!


Come Join the 'Official' Site for Crystal Fanatics at:
 http://www.CrystalFanaticsClub.com/
to Learn All About Swarovski Crystal, Discuss Your Passion with some of the most Avid Collectors in the World, and See CFC's Fabulous Photo Gallery Full of Your Favorite Crystal.


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

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

For Collectors of Swarovski Crystal