Nadja Swarovski and a very special 10th anniversary collection

This year, Atelier Swarovski – the haute joaillerie branch of the fine crystal specialist – celebrates its 10th anniversary. It has been a decade marked by many high profile collaborations with artists, fashion designers and architects alike, including Jean Paul Gaultier, Viktor&Rolf, Christopher Kane, Lanvin, Maison Margiela, Zaha Hadid and Mary Katrantzou, each limited-edition collection as spectacular as the next. Initiated and conceived by company doyenne, Nadja Swarovski, the Atelier Swarovski line is rooted in innovation.

For its tenth anniversary therefore, the marque has surpassed all expectation with fine jewellery featuring Swarovski Created Diamonds, created emeralds and crystals. Inspired by three main themes (Mosaic, Art Deco and Concentric), this series presents Atelier Swarovski as the maker of sustainable and beautifully cut stones that have the same optical, chemical and physical attributes as mined diamonds.

Speaking exclusively to Portfolio, Nadja Swarovski reminds us that it was her great-great-grandfather who founded the maison in 1895, whose vision it to “create a diamond for every woman”. Today, thanks to the artisanal and technical prowess of its craftspeople, Atelier Swarovski has achieved this goal while firmly positioning itself as a torchbearer of conscious luxury. Future thinking, Nadja Swarovski maintains, has always been the driving force behind the Swarovski name. “Created diamonds have a lighter environmental footprint than mined diamonds, explains the businesswoman who Is the sole female member of her family's executive board. "This collection offers an incredible showcase of responsible jewellery-making and artisanal skill. It perfectly reflects our 120-year heritage of craftsmanship and innovation, and our commitment to sustainability.”

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Being ecologically responsible and championing women's rights is certainly something that Madame Swarovski takes very seriously. Something that stands to reason when you consider that Swarovski is a brand with a 70% female workforce and a 90% female customer base.

“When my great-great-grandfather, Daniel Swarovski, founded our company, he wanted to create products that respect the wellbeing of people and the planet and that ethos remains part of our DNA. When it comes to acting responsibly, it is important for us to work with industry bodies and accreditation organisations like the Responsible Jewellery Council to validate our own high standards. This works alongside our wider commitments as a signatory of the UN Women’s Empowerment Principles, and the UN Sustainable Development Goals.”explains Swarovski.

As for the collection itself, it really has to be seen to be believed: emeralds and diamonds are so expertly cut that they have the same superior clarity and colour saturation as their mined counterparts.

“The whole collection is so beautiful, but I love the Duchesse ring. It is a truly stunning combination of intricately cut crystal and delicate created diamonds.”