How to Appraise Belgian Crystal

Fine crystal can be a found fortune.

Would you know if the art deco vase your grandmother left you were merely a decorative daisy holder, or a rare, Val Saint Lambert Belgian crystal that could be worth a small fortune? Val Saint Lambert fine crystal has been handmade at its factory in Belgium since 1826, where its high quality and exceptional clarity made it popular on 19th century trading routes, and in palaces and the high society dinner tables all around Europe. To this day, Val Saint Lambert is the glassworks supplier to the royal Court of Belgium, and is collected by crystal aficionados all over the world. If you want to know whether your crystal is a Val Saint Lambert, you can take it to an antiques dealer, or you could appraise it yourself following these simple guidelines.

Things You'll Need

• Val Saint Lambert catalogs and price guides
• Computer with Internet access

Instructions

1. Compare your crystal's patterns, shapes and cuts to those found in the Val Saint Lambert catalogs and price guides. Focus on the vintage Art Deco styles from the early 20th century through the 1950s. Observe the cutting ranges in your crystal. Val Saint Lambert uses many specialized techniques, such as diamond, star, cross, pearl, palm leave, almond, olive and bamboo cuts.

2. Explore online auction sites to get an idea what the current market is for authentic Val Saint Lambert pieces like the one you own. Glassware and crystal replacement websites can also give you an idea what it would cost to trade your piece today.

3. Look for clues to the authenticity on your glassware itself. Inspect your crystal for paper labels on the bottom of the piece that say Val Saint Lambert Belgium (or Belgique). Check for an etched signature that reads VSL, Val St. Lambert or a circled "S."

4. Examine the color, clarity and finish of your piece. Vibrant color and finish are two of the things that set apart Val Saint Lambert crystal from American-made pieces. Vases, decanters and bowls heavily pigmented in unique shades of ruby red, royal blue, cobalt blue and many other colors can indicate that they are a Val Saint Lambert piece. Double and triple combinations of colors in one piece can indicate the same. Val Saint Lambert finishes can come in matte or satin.

5. Note any numbers that might be on the crystal. A European numbering style, including the number 1 having a small "u" curve at the top, as well as the number 7 having a cross through the base, indicates that it is likely Belgian crystal.

6. Find out where the crystal was originally bought. If the crystal was purchased in Belgium or France, it is of course unlikely to be of American origin.

Tips & Warnings

• Inspect the condition of your crystal for cracks, chips or scratches. Pristine specimens of Val Saint Lambert crystal are valuable, while cracked ones aren't. Glassware is fragile and chances are the older your piece is, the greater the chance that it has signs of wear or damage that will lower its asking price, even if it is authentic Val Saint Lambert crystal.

References

• "The American Cut Glass Association"; How Do You Know It's A Val-Saint-Lambert?; Gerry LaCroix; July 2007
• Val Saint Lambert: The Art of Crystal

Resources

• "Val-Saint-Lambert (1880-1930)"; Gerard and Jean La Croix; 2004
• China, Crystal and Silver Replacements: Val St. Lambert