Swarovski - the magic of Austrian crystal
Swarovski is an Austrian success
story par excellence. At the end of the 19th century Daniel
Swarovski founded a company with the aim to cut crystals
automatically. The company was enormously successful and
soon worked in numerous fields like the production of optical
products, abrasives and grinding tools, the cutting of crystals
and the manufacturing of decorative stones made from crystal.
Those were mostly used for the jewelry and fashion industries,
as chandelier parts, as accessories and as beads and ornaments
for attire and jewelry. Swarovski's necklaces, pins and
earrings are popular worldwide. Swarovski's crystal beads
are also used to adorn dresses, shoes and handbags. By this
they have entered the realm of haute-couture, James Bond
movies, Hollywood celebs and Oscar night fashion talk.
In 1973 the company produced a paperweight
and a key ring as memorabilia for the 12th Olympic Winter
games in Innsbruck. A year later, designer Max Schreck 'accidentally'
started a new product line: He built a little mouse out
of chandelier parts. The mouse was followed by a series
of crystal animals and decorative items, among them famous
crystal lovebirds. Today, Swarovski's figurine collection
Silver Crystal is a major branch of the company.
The company is also renowned for
its optical products. Swarovski's binoculars and telescopes
are ergonomic, elegant, well balanced and without frills.
In 1995 the company celebrated its
100th anniversary by building a spectacular theme park,
Swarovski Crystal Worlds ('Kristallwelten') in Wattens,
close to Innsbruck. It was designed by artist André
Heller and takes you into a land of imagination and beauty.
An exceptional park landscape bewitches with waterworks,
labyrinth and spectacular lightening.