For the ninth year, a Swarovski star will adorn New York City’s world-famous Rockefeller Center Christmas tree. 

German artist and architect Michael Hammers designed the 550-pound, nine-and-a-half-foot star, which consists of 25,000 individual crystals enclosed by shatterproof glass. Hammers worked with a team of more than 15 professionals, including designers, engineers, light consultants, and builders, to complete the finished product.

“All over the world the name of Swarovski stands for the unique brilliance of crystal, just as the Rockefeller Center name stands for a place that is unique,” Hammers says. 

First created in 2004, the star was redesigned in 2009 to add light movement. “The 2012 Swarovski star features the most energy-efficient LED technology to date and a state-of-the-art computer program, creating a stunning, twinkling effect through customized light sequencing,” Hammers explains. It takes 720 energy-efficient LED bulbs on 3,000 feet of wire to illuminate the star.

On Nov. 20, the star was raised atop the 80-foot high Norway spruce in Rockefeller Center by a crane. It will be lit up during the tree-lighting celebration at 7 p.m. on Nov. 28, and will remain on view until Jan. 7.

The Swarovski star finally at home atop the Rockefeller Christmas tree.

Swarovski will offer a selection of holiday jewelry and ornaments inspired by the design of the 2012 Rockefeller Center Christmas tree star at its boutiques and online.  

JCK