Domestic glass falls in to the following categories:
- Glass – Also called Soda Lime Glass is made from silica sand, soda ash and limestone. It is the least expensive to produce and is used for high volume everyday glassware
- Crystal Glass – Also called Crystalline is glass with up to 10% added Lead Oxide PbO which gives the glass a better colour.
- Lead Crystal – Lead Oxide PbO is added to the glass. This brings the brilliant sparkle, clarity and strength to glass and makes it easier to form and cut as it slightly softens the body. Lead Crystal falls into 2 further categories Full Lead Crystal which has a minimum of 30% Lead Oxide content and predominantly made in Ireland and the UK and Lead Crystal which has a minimum of 24% Lead Oxide content and tends to be made in France, Italy, Germany, Poland, The Czech Republic and Slovakia.
Within all the above categories the manufacturing process can be achieved by Machine or Hand to create both plain and cut glassware.
- Machine Made Glass – Mass produces glass to a consistent standard with size, shape, cut and finish of the product uniform. The cut patterns do not feel as sharp and in some instances the join seams can be seen. The glass is automatically moulded and pressed and is less expensive to produce as highly skilled and costly labour is not involved.
- Hand Made Glass – It usually takes a Team of 8 headed by the “Master Blower” to produce hand made glass. From moulton glass being blown on the end of a pipe to form the shape, to the precison hand cutting, the end product is very much dependent on the highly technical capabilities of the glass making team. Each item is individually made and will have its own characteristics there will therefore be very slight differences in tolerances and sometimes small air bubbles are visible, these are not considered defects but almost a signature of the finished items uniqueness. Once you have witnessed the amazing production journey you will really appreciate the quality of craftsmanship and understand why the price may be higher. Hand made crystal truly is a work of art to cherish and enjoy.