| When lead oxide is added to glass it creates crystal. | | | | differences will occur in molded and hand blown |
| The principle behind adding lead oxide to the glass is | | | | crystal |
| that it intensifies the glass's density which then | | | | The amount of lead found in of a piece of crystal |
| results in a greater radiance of light and reflective | | | | contributes to it's softness. The following is a list of |
| qualities. The colors that are reflected back to the | | | | tips in learning to care for your crystal; for example |
| observer is directly proportional to the amount of | | | | the presence of dust can create abrasions and |
| lead a piece of glass contains. It should be noted that | | | | scratches upon the glass. |
| there different weights to crystal. For example, the | | | | Tips in Caring For Your Crystal: |
| less lead a piece contains, then the more lightweight | | | | - Always carry your pieces one at a time; do not |
| the piece will feel. | | | | carry them in groups when using stemware |
| Seed bubbles can often be found in glass that has | | | | - Organize your crystal glasses in such a way as to |
| been hand crafted. As a crystal piece is being | | | | not touch the other pieces in your collection. |
| created, Seed bubbles, which are small pockets of | | | | - Always place glasses right side up for storage to |
| trapped air, can occur. Only when the crystal piece is | | | | avoid stress on the rim of the piece. |
| held up to a strong light can these tiny air pockets, | | | | If a broken piece of crystal can be salvaged, then |
| or bubbles, be seen. Finding seed bubbles in your | | | | try gluing it back in place with a clear-drying epoxy |
| crystal is an indicator that your piece was created by | | | | created especially for glassware. To aid in the |
| hand. | | | | bonding process, set the repaired piece in sunlight. |
| Flow lines and chill marks (impressions on the surface | | | | Tips for Cleaning Your Crystal: |
| of the glass) are also evidences of hand crafted | | | | - Because of it's abrasive properties, dust can appear |
| crystal. Never fear, these characteristics suggest | | | | to mar the surface of the piece. To avoid scratching, |
| hand craftsmanship, and are not indications of a | | | | clean with a gentle cleanser and dry with a cloth that |
| blemished piece. | | | | does not leave lint behind. |
| Small dissimilarities among pieces such as flow lines, | | | | Never use soaking solutions that contain ammonia as |
| chill marks, fluctuations in clarity and the occasional | | | | it may wear away edge designs or gold rims of the |
| seed bubble show up in even the most elegant of | | | | glasses. It's best to limit cleaning to a gentle solvent. |
| crystal collections. One can be certain that these | | | | |