In 1895 Daniel Swarovski, a visionary inventor, moved to the village of Wattens in the Austrian Tyrol with his new invention designed for cutting and polishing crystals for jewelry. From these humble beginnings, Swarovski has grown to be the world's largest producer of precision-cut crystal for fashion and accessories. Today, the company has a presence in more than 120 countries and a turnover in 2011 of 2.22 billion euros. The brand is made up of two large companies: one producing and selling crystal elements for industry and the other design-creating finished products. Swarovski crystals have become an essential ingredient in international design.
