Swarovski Crystal

I wonder if Daniel Swarovski ever dreamt that when he started his two-year apprenticeship in his father’s small glass making factory that it would lead to Swarovski’s crystal products being world renowned for their quality and precision.

Daniel Swarovski was born in North Bohemia, which is now the Czech Republic, on October 24th 1862. He died in his nineties in early 1956.  During his apprenticeship he invented an electric cutting machine that revolutionised the production of crystal cutting, this machine was patented in 1892.

In 1895 with financiers Armand Kosman and Franz Weis he founded the Swarovski Company.  He realised that he needed a factory with more power and water for his plans to come to fruition.  He  chose to move to Wattens, Tyrol  away from his competitors and able to keep his inventions secret.  There the factory was able to take advantage of local hydroelectricity  for the grinding processes that Daniel Swarovski had patented.

Now over a hundred years later with the help and inspiration of subsequent Swarovski generations the Swarovski Company is a Group with many subsidiaries not just related to fashion and home decor industry.  A few of  these are Swareflex who produce road safety products,  Tryolit a bonded grinding and dressing tools company and Swarovksi Optik who manufacture high precision optics.

To me with my interest in genealogy Swarovki crystal started way before Daniel Swarovski, certainly with his father. I wonder if previous generations were glass makers, inventors and artists.  In my researches into my own family history I can see where my talents came from with generations of bakers, chefs,  tailors, seamstresses and watchmakers in my ancestry.

It’s fascinating to think that the Swarovski crystals and pearls that I use in my Swarovski Crystal Jewellery designs originated all those years ago even if the crystals themselves are the modern-day version.

Swarovski Crystal and Sterling Silver Bracelet

Swarovski Crystal Star Earrings