Founded in 1895 by Bohemian Daniel Swarovski in Wattens, Austria. An early claim to fame seems to have been the invention of an \'electric\' cutting machine used for cutting crystals for jewellery use and other purposes. Figurines are a later development that began in 1976 with the Mouse designed by Max Scheck (now deceased). Other designers include: Anton Hirzinger (Swan trademark), whose designs include the famous Swarovski trademark swan and the Centenary Swan, Edith Maier (from 1990 - Fairy Tales, Roe Deer Fawn), Gabriele Stamey and Adi Stocker.

A square \'block mark\' with an S inside the C was used from 1976 - 1988 and thereafter a Swan mark.