Swarovski markets high quality precision-cut crystals. Started in 1895 by Daniel Swarovski I, this company has thrived and expanded into many crystal related areas in the jewelry, handbags and home décor industries. They are so loved that there is a Swarovski Collector’s Society.
The Swarovski retail jewelry stores are just magnificent. And the prices are not all that bad. A beautiful pair of rhodium-plated pierced earrings can be had for $65. Prices for jewelry extend upwards to over $1,000.
DIY at the Crystallized Concept Store
Marketing to the DIY crowd, Swarovski recently opened a 5,000-square-foot Crystallized concept store in the Soho section of New York City at 499 Broadway. The store is pretty fabulous. Those shoppers that prefer to make their own jewelry can select from thousand of different metal, crystal, wood, ceramic, glass, semi-precious gemstones and pearl components and use the loaner tools to make their own.
There’s a tote bag station so the shoppers can load up on components and supplies while walking around the store and a chi-chi lounge for the DIY shopper to sit down and relax while hand-crafting their jewelry creation. Pre-assembled kits are also available. Statement ring kits start at $15.
Customize a Swarovski Design
Not into the whole DIY scene? Jewelry collectors can customize a design use the components available in the shop as inspiration and fine-tune the design using in-house software. Customized pieces are made-to-order by Swarovski staff and ready in just two weeks!
Have a late summer wedding planned? It’s not too late to have the wedding jewelry or attendant’s gifts made-to-order.
Online Customized Swarovski Shopping
For those jewelry-lovers who don’t live in the New York City area, this can also be done on-line from the comfort of your own home. It’s very stress-free:
- Choose the type of jewelry to design: necklace, bracelet, earrings or ring.
- Select the basic design. Designs that are customizable will have a small red link at the bottom right of the image. Please note: the customizable link is touchy. If it doesn’t work the first time, just keep on trying. Hopefully, this is a bug in the system that Swarovski is working on. To finalize the design, the shopper will have to register and login.
- Then click away, changing colors and elements of the basic design.
- There is a recalculation option for the price as customizing the design will also change the price of the basic design.
For more information, visit the Swarovski Crystallized concept website.
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