Is Daniel Swarovski a great imitator, an enterprising con man, or an ingenious engineer?

2024 Author: Richard Flannagan | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-15 23:55

Creation of artificial diamonds can be treated in different ways: either it can be called a fraud and fake precious stones, or it can be considered an art of imitation, which allows you to save money on jewelry. Both statements are equally true. That's why Daniel Swarovski, whose birthday on October 24 marks 154 years, was called a cunning swindler, a master of illusions, and a jewelry master. One fact is indisputable: no matter how the business of Daniel Swarovski was called, he managed to turn his company into the world's premier crystal manufacturer.

Of course, Daniel Swarovski was not the first person in history who came up with the idea of forging precious stones. It has been an illegal profitable business for a long time. A famous swindler, in the 18th century. who made money by producing forgeries was Georges Frederic Strass. Later, artificial diamonds were named after him as rhinestones, and at that time he was considered an adventurer. But Daniel Swarovski was the first to turn a fake into a fashion trend.

The main reason why Swarovski cannot be considered a fraud is that he never concealed the fact of a fake and did not mislead people. He called the creation of artificial diamonds imitation. Swarovski not only made the ladies wear artificial jewelry, but also convinced them that it was fashionable and prestigious.

The occupation of Swarovski was a foregone conclusion from birth: he was born in 1862 in North Bohemia, which since the 18th century. famous for the production of Bohemian glass. The main craft here was glass workshops, and father Daniel also had one - they made jewelry for retail trade. This enterprise did not bring large incomes. Daniel did not intend to continue his father's work - he dreamed of the future of a violinist and was seriously engaged in music. Soon, for unknown reasons, he left his studies and went to Paris to study engineering.

Daniel's passion for electrical engineering and the design of electrical appliances became crucial for the success of the future enterprise. In 1883 he attended the First Electric Exhibition in Vienna, where he came up with the idea of using electric current to grind glass. It took about 10 years to invent and test a new tool, and in 1892 Swarovski received a patent for an electric grinding machine with which it was possible to quickly and efficiently process crystal, thanks to which the production of artificial diamonds became widespread.

Swarovski did not return to Bohemia - the competition in glass production there was already too high, he settled in Austria, in the village of Wattens. Having bought out a dilapidated factory, Daniel opened a factory here that produces crystal products. No one could have imagined that the small village would become a crystal empire and a tourist mecca over the years.

The production developed rapidly. In 1900, Daniel expanded the premises, hired another 200 workers, and named his business "Swarovski" - by this name it is known to this day. The main know-how of the master is not even the technology of grinding crystal, but the secret formula of the composition of the initial mixtures used to make it. That is why Swarovski crystals were distinguished by their extraordinary transparency and brilliance. This formula is still kept in the strictest confidence.

Daniel Swarovski pioneered the era of bijouterie and the mass production of artificial diamonds. At the beginning of the twentieth century. women of fashion no longer considered it shameful to wear "fakes". In addition, Coco Chanel and Elsa Schiaparelli used jewelry in their collections. Coco Chanel stated: “Imitation is the most honest form of flattery. There should be a lot of decorations, but if they are real, it gives off boasting and bad taste."

Since then, costume jewelry has ceased to be considered bad form even in royal courts. The concept of "elite costume jewelry" appeared, and Swarovski became its main manufacturer. And Daniel's engineering talent helped him survive two wars and not go bankrupt. When the demand for jewelry fell during the First World War, Swarovski began making tools and abrasive materials for grinding and cutting machines.

The founder of the crystal empire passed away in 1956, at the age of 94, and his work was continued by his children and grandchildren. They launched the production of colored crystals, chandelier pendants, souvenir crystal figurines, and even engaged in crystal car tuning: Rolls-Royce by Swarovski.

And in 1995, the Swarovski Crystal Worlds cave museum was opened: crystal tourism from Swarovski