While Swarovski may be known internationally for their affordable diamond, they’re also world-leading when it comes to creating elegant glass figurines. From Disney designs to commemorative pieces made to mark historical events, Swarovski figurines can be just as valuable - if not more valuable - than Swarovski jewellery.
In the following guide, we’re going to take a look at some of the most popular and expensive Swarovski figurines, and go over some key factors to take into consideration if you plan on selling one that you own. Let’s take a look!
Swarovski figurines are ornaments crafted from the finest glass crystal, and each piece is a shimmering testament to the beauty and brilliance that can be achieved when artistic creativity and technical mastery meet.
At first glance, one might mistake Swarovski figurines for delicate works of glass, but these exquisite creations are far more than just glass; they are intricately crafted with precision and skill, using advanced cutting techniques and machinery that creates a mesmerising light show of dazzling sparkles and prisms. While some are pure glass creations, others are decorated with Swarovski flatback Rhinestones, making them vibrant, light-catching and eye-catching.
What sets Swarovski figurines apart from ordinary glassware is the sheer brilliance of the crystals themselves. With their exceptional clarity, these figurines are designed to refract light in such a way that they appear to shimmer and dance, making them ideal for grabbing attention in a minimalist space. This refraction power is in part due to Swarovski’s patented glass-cutting technology, but also due to the fact that they use only the highest-quality materials in the manufacturing process.
Swarovski figurines can also be expensive due to the brand’s fondness for creating limited edition or country-specific items; once certain figurines are retired from general circulation, their resale prices tend to soar substantially.
Swarovski figurines are highly collectible and sought after, and some of them can increase in value over time. However, it's important to note that not all Swarovski figurines appreciate in value and that their value can fluctuate based on several factors, such as:
Swarovski has released many figurines over the years, but some of them were produced in limited quantities, making them more valuable to collectors. Figurines that were also released exclusively in certain countries also count as rare or limited edition, and will tend to fetch more at an auction.
The condition of a Swarovski figurine can significantly impact its value: figurines that are in their original packaging and have never been displayed or damaged are generally worth more than those that have been used or damaged. If you plan on selling a Swarovski figurine that you currently display in your home, it might be a good idea to store it away in its original box, making sure it’s not exposed to direct sunlight or humidity.
Older Swarovski figurines can be more valuable than newer ones; this is because they tend to be more challenging for collectors and investors to find. This is especially true if the figurine is considered “retired” officially by the Swarovski brand; this means that collectors and investors will usually need to scour second-hand sellers and antique dealers to find these models, which ups their value significantly.
Some Swarovski figurines were part of a limited edition series or were created to commemorate a special event, making them more valuable. Examples of this include Swarovski’s limited edition figurines gifted to competitors during the 1976 Innsbruck Winter Olympic Games.
Today, Swarovski continues to release limited edition figurines, with recent launches including their The Little Mermaid figurine, as well their limited edition Batman DC figurine, each selling for £13,000 and £10,000 respectively.
Figurines that are in high demand among collectors are likely to hold their value better over time, and therefore will tend to do better at auction or when re-sold. That being said, it's important to keep in mind that the value of Swarovski figurines, like any collectible item, can be affected by market trends, and there is no guarantee that a figurine will appreciate in value over time. If you plan on buying a figurine for re-selling purposes, it can be a good idea to do some research to see how much other models (in the same condition) sold for.
So, what are some of the most expensive Swarovski figurines? From Disney editions to Zodiac figurines, here are some of the most popular figurines to date:
One of the most highly coveted Swarovski figurines is the SCS Annual Editions, a limited-edition release each year since 1987 exclusively available to members of the Swarovski Crystal Society. These figurines often feature animals and are highly sought after by collectors.
Another popular collection of figurines is Lovlots, introduced by Swarovski in 2006. This collection showcased cute and quirky crystal characters that quickly became popular among collectors. Some notable Lovlots characters include Mo the cow, Pioneers, and the Gang of Dogs.
The Swarovski Disney Collection is another favourite among collectors, featuring beloved Disney characters such as Mickey Mouse, Minnie Mouse, Cinderella, and Tinkerbell, all beautifully crafted in Swarovski crystal.
Another popular figurine collection was the The Crystal Memories collection, which showcased mini nostalgic figurines such as typewriters, telephones, and vintage cars, all beautifully crafted in crystal to represent timeless objects.
