About Swarovski logos

All Swarovski decorative products like crystal figurines and sculptures should bear the brand's logo, particularly pieces produced after 1988. In rare instances, some very old pieces may not be marked, or the logo may not be readily visible.

You will find one of these logo marks on almost all Swarovski crystal products:

     the edelweiss flower was used from 1899 to 1988.
      the square SC logo, or block logo, was used on Silver Crystal products from 1976 to 1988.
      the swan logo mark was adopted in 1989 and is still used today.

Authenticating Swarovski crystal figurines

There is no sure method of authenticating a Swarovski crystal figurine other than visually inspecting the piece. The presence or absence of a logo should not be the determining factor in verifying authenticity. If it's conceivable that an article may be fake, then, a logo mark can be faked as well. However, a Swarovski object is the result of many complex production steps coupled with secret formulas used in manufacturing the crystal. To produce a credible imitation that can fool even the casual buyer would be a difficult and costly undertaking that hardly seems worthwhile. Considering that anything's possible, though, you simply shouldn't buy when you have doubts.

Knowledge is always a consumer's best defense. While the chances of encountering a forgery are remote, it's not uncommon for an advertised item to be misrepresented. Sellers aren't always familiar with everything they sell and may incorrectly attribute a crystal piece to Swarovski. Other instances of misidentification can occur when a figurine is mistaken for another, similar design: Swarovski produces many pieces with the same descriptive name, but in different sizes and variations. It's up to the buyer to do the research and know what the piece should look like and its Swarovski article number, as labeled on the original packaging.

Swarovski article numbers

Swarovski decorative products are catalogued using two numbering systems:

• an article number in the form 7000 000 000 or 9000 000 000;
• a 6-digit or 7-digit system number

Newer products are usually referenced by their 7-digit system numbers, even though official Swarovski listings may refer to them as article numbers.

Certificate of Authenticity (COA)

SCS Annual Editions and special-issue figurines come with their own distinctive certificates while open-edition Silver Crystal products used to ship with a generic certificate, commonly referred to as the COA. This is a misnomer, since the certificate actually contains a limited international warranty and care advice, not any type of authenticity certification. Nonetheless, most collectors consider a piece to be incomplete if the "COA," original box and lining, or any other paperwork is missing. The impact on value depends on how easily the missing accessory can be replaced.

The generic certificate went through several changes over the years, and every Swarovski crystal piece should have one of the booklets shown below, depending on when it was made. Products manufactured in the second half of 2011 and later should have a white multi-language Warning booklet instead.