Swarovski, A Name So Important To Beaders!

1892 Daniel Swarovski of Bohemia, at that time part of the Austro-Hungarian Empire, registers a patent for a machine that made it possible to cut crystal to perfection beginning a new era in the world of crystal. Today Swarovski is a global company with over 14,000 employees worldwide.

1895 The Swarovskis moved from Bohemian Georgenthal to Wattens in Tyrol. Wattens, in the Austrian Alps had sufficient water resources to power Daniel's new crystal cutting machines, and proved to be an ideal location for the Swarovski factory.

1977 In 1977, Swarovski launched its first jewellery line – the Swarovski’s Jeweler’s Collection.

1919 Daniel produces grinding and dressing tools which were used to process crystal jewellery stones. Swarovski markets the grinding and dressing tools under the brand name of TYROLIT.


1931 Swarovski registers a patent for a crystal set fabric ribbon. In the twenties, "dancing dresses" embroidered with pearls and crystals highlighted were all the rage. The couturiers and leading fashion studios turned to Swarovski for inspiration. Swarovski in turn invented crystal set fabric ribbon that could be directly applied to textiles, shoes and more!

1956 The fifties were very successful and allowed Manfred Swarovski, the grandson of the company's founder, to experiment with important advances of the company's crystal stone development. Manfred worked closely with Christian Dior. It was at this time Manfred developed what we know today as "Aurora Borealis" This process coats the crystal with wafer thin metal particles, greatly increasing the crystals sparkle and allowing each crystal to sparkle with every color of the rainbow! This was a huge turning point and the crystal became a worldwide success, sparking a new fashion trend. Coated crystals were soon being produced in a variety of colours with shining or iridescent effects. Because of the great success of the Aurora Borealis, it was at this time Swarovski was inspired to give all of the colors unique and creative names, ranging from "Fireball", a multi-faceted crystal ball shot through with fiery colors, to the extraordinarily successful "Moodstone", which changed color according to the mood of the person wearing it. Again, the rest as all of our beaders know, is history!

1965 A product range for the crystal chandelier market is launched under the brand name STRASS®. STRASS®, the original from Swarovski, sparkles on the chandeliers at the Metropolitan Opera in New York City as well as in the Chateau of Versailles, Paris. Strass's range is considered unparalleled worldwide in terms of its brilliance, value and quality. The brand name for these high quality crystal components for lights has been registered as a trademark since 1977.

1975 Swarovski introduces Hot-Fix technology, making it possible to add sparkling crystals to any item of clothing using a newly developed molten glue. Finished crystal designs could now be applied to fabric using heat and pressure.

1977 In 1977, Swarovski launched its first jewellery line – the Swarovski’s Jeweler’s Collection.





1993 Swarovski introduces Crystal Mesh, a soft and supple fabric completely covered with a flexible frame that is set with sparkling crystals. Jewellery and fashion accessories such as bracelets, watches, handbags and purses are made using this technique. Almost any kind of colourful, mosaic-like pattern can be created. Crystal Mesh becomes a hit with the top designers such as: Dolce & Gabbana, Chanel and Louis Vuitton, Once again, Swarovski revolutionises fashion.



1999 Swarovski and Golay Buchel establish Signity, a sales, marketing and distribution joint venture with its headquarters in Horgen, Switzerland and sales offices in Europe, Asia and the Americas. The genuine gemstones and synthetic stones, marketed under the brand Signity, are cut and polished using sophisticated proprietary technology that allows Signity to set and maintain the world’s strictest standards for proportion, polish, size and shape. In November 2006 the Swarovski group acquires 100% of Signity.

2003 Swarovski launches “Crystal Fabric”, which fuses fabric and crystal into a second skin with a transparent Hotfix-foil. The surface of this foil is set with tiny full cut and round crystals and can be ironed, sewn or glued onto materials such as lace, velvet, silk, jeans, leather and synthetic fabrics.