Swarovski crystals are known by millions of people around the world; but perhaps you do not know the story behind these pieces so used in the making of dresses and jewelry. So we will enter the world of the Swarovski family to learn how the great idea came about and how it evolved over time.
Perhaps all started in 1862 with the birth of Daniel Swarovski in Georgenthal, a small town located north of Bohemia, Czech Republic, which was a glass production center where a very booming industry developed in that time and that gave way to the later creation of the famous Swarovski crystals.
Daniel Swarovski’s father owned a small glass factory and a workshop specialized in the elaboration of different ornaments and costume jewellery, so that from a young age, Daniel trained in the process of manual and artisanal manipulation of glass. Nevertheless, his great illusion was to be a violinist, which he could not achieve, the reason that made him move to Paris to become an optical engineer.
Once he graduated as an engineer, Daniel began to work in that world, and attended the “First Electrical Exhibition” held in Vienna in 1883, where he was very motivated by observing all the technological innovations of companies such as Edison and Siemens which led him to develop the idea of inventing a machine that could grind, carve and polish crystals more precisely.
This is how young Daniel saw the possibility of achieving his great dream, which was to create a family business through which the perfect crystal was manufactured; but for this he required advanced machinery for the time. So, making use of his powers as an optical engineer, he was able to design and assemble his first electric machine for the manipulation of glass in 1891; but at that time his great difficulty was the capital.
In view of the financial problems that limited him in the process of creating future Swarovski crystals, Daniel decided to partner with Armand Kosmann and Frank Weis, and established the factory in Tyrol, a place where there was enough electric light so that these machines could work properly; and already in 1895, another new glass factory was born and they called it “George Frederic Strass”.
In hard work, with perseverance and inventiveness, Daniel began producing Swarovski crystals, but he also kept working on the improvement of his machines, obtaining wonderful results with the creation of almost perfect crystals of high quality, whereby the demand for Swarovski crystals began to increase, achieving great orders from the jewellers who were delighted with the beauty of these pieces that were incorporated into the design of many of their jewels.
After this success, he decided to send samples of Swarovski crystals to Russia and France that were strategic countries in the field of marketing their products at that time because France was the center of fashion, while Russia was the center of wealth and luxury.
By the decade of the 20s, fashion trends were inclined to the use of embroidered fabrics with pearls and crystals, so that Swarovski crystals arrived at the right time, and were perfect for any type of fabric, clothing and accessories, being their use highlighted in the preparation of headdresses, bags and shoes; even the famous Coco Chanel was one of the designers who first used Swarovski crystals in her haute couture, which guaranteed their success and boom.
Later, after World War II, he decided to make the great leap of Swarovski crystals towards the United States, which made these eye-catching crystals be part of the world of cinema in Hollywood, and the women of American high society wear them in their costumes.
The fifties arrived, the brand launched a great innovation by incorporating very thin metal particles in the crystals, which cause iridescent flashes with their exposure to light similar to what happens with diamonds.
These Swarovski crystals were called “Northern Lights”, and everyone was fascinated by its perfection, quality and beauty; so they became trend quickly, and high jewelry began to make large orders for these famous crystals which to date still cannot be imitated or surpassed.
With the death of Daniel Swarovski in 1956, the development of the family business continued, maintaining a surprising world market that the members of the Swarovski generation have managed to carry out with great success, to the point that they produce 80% of the crystal stones that are used in high-end jewelry, including major fashion brands such as Channel, Dolce & Gabanna, Louis Vuitton, among others that have bet on the latest Swarovski product called “Crystal Mesh”, which includes a soft and light fabric covered with crystals.
ALFA