the original
Established 1976
The story of the original and unique Trollbeads starts in Denmark. Trollbeads is born as a family company and still today it remains so. “Some have ideas, some have talent for design, some can find technical solutions and others still have the courage to make it happen. And all of us enjoy working together on a project. It’s that simple”, says Lise Aagaard.
Faces was the very first bead in the collection. It is a silver bead combined of six faces, and it is designed by Lise Aagaard’s brother, Søren "Silversmith" Nielsen.
Trollbeads are made with a blend of new and ancient techniques. Most silver Trollbeads are modelled using the 3000-year-old technique, the so-called 'cire perdu' or 'lost wax' method.
For thousands of years gold has been the ultimate symbol of power, wealth and divinity. Trollbeads are made in 18K gold – the perfect balance of purity and strength.
2000
THE CHARACTERISTIC CLASP
The first characteristic Trollbeads clasps are added to the collection. The idea of letting the claps be a piece of jewellery in itself is still unique for the Trollbeads brand today.
2000
GROWING THE FAMILY
Until 2000, all beads were designed by the Nielsen/Aagaard family. To increase diversity of the collection, 10 Danish jewellery designers were invited to design for Trollbeads. Today, we count more than 60 Trollbeads designers.
2003
TROLLBEADS GOES ABROAD
In 2003, Trollbeads adventures start in new countries: Hong Kong, USA and Spain. Today you can find Trollbeads in more than 40 countries all over the world.
2003
ONE MORE WAY TO CARRY YOUR BEADS
In 2003 the Trollbeads collection is extended with the Fantasy Necklace. You can design and combine the Fantasy Necklace in endless ways, using beads and pendants from the collection.
The Sterling silver bracelet as we know it today was designed in 2005. Before 2005 you had to use tools to add new beads, With the new design and changeable locks it was made possible to design and redesign your bracelet every day!
Alongside Tibet Charity, Lise Aagaard developed the Tibet Beads project in 2005 to give unemployed Tibetan refugees in India an opportunity to learn new skills and earn an income.
The Uniques
"If you really want to help people in the third word countries to develop economically, you must teach them what it is you are successfully doing"
UNIQUES are truly special to Trollbeads. It began as a charity project, providing self-sustainable workshops for people in Asia, giving them an opportunity to express themselves and create art. They ended up creating UNIQUES.
2007
PLAYING WITH THE CUSTOMERS
Trollbeads starts a big online event that shows the playfulness of the brand: “Where did you take your Trollbeads this summer”?
2007
THE NORDIC GOLD
Amber is added to the collection. 50 million years on the way to your bracelet. It is almost incomprehensible how long ago that is, but that specific moment in time is what we see.
Born under enormous pressure since the dawn of time, these pieces of raw rocks are dug out of the bowels of the earth and made into exquisite jewellery of timeless beauty.
A beautiful collection of rings sees the light of day. Many of the spectacular designs are still in the collection.
2009
JAIPUR, INDIA UNIQUES WORKSHOP
Following the first Uniques project, Lise Aagaard decided to start a project in Jaipur. This time the focus was on helping women with a challenging background.
2009
SMILING BEAD EVENT
Retailers across the world were distributing limited edition Smiley beads attached to a note which asked the finder to go to a website and share how they found the bead. More than 3,500 people from 32 countries shared heartfelt and funny stories.
2009
Share a Christmas Card
Trollbeads encourage everyone to share their Christmas enthusiasm and celebration by joining the event and send Christmas cards to at least five people all around the world.
2009
People's Bead
Trollbeads is among the very first to offer co-creation in the event People's Bead. Fans and customers are invited to design a bead in the global People's Bead competition.
2010
Malawi Uniques Workshop
Trollbeads funded the Malawi Trollbeads Workshop, which gave a group of challenged young people the opportunity to learn the artistry of making glass beads.
2010
The World Tour
13 countries each had 4 beads created which symbolized their country. The once involved were: Australia, Austria, Denmark, Germany, Hong Kong, Italy, Japan, Lithuania, Netherlands, South Africa, Switzerland, U.K. and the U.S.A.
2010
The leather bracelet
Launch of a new way to carry your beads - the leather bracelet.
2012
Introducing the bangle
The bangle is introduced in the Trollbeads Collection. Launched in Sterling silver, gold plated and copper.
2012
Trollbeads move to Toldbodgade
Lise designs the façade of the building, and it is ready for the Trollbeads family to move in, in 2012.
Bonus info: There are small lizards hiding in the pattern.
2013
Limited-edition bracelets enter
A bracelet including a new glass bead, new silver bead and a new lock. The bracelet can only be bought as a finished piece.
