How to Identify Cut Glass

Cut glass can be very beautiful as well as valuable. Unfortunately, there are plenty of forgeries out there that are difficult to tell from the real thing. Read these tips to learn more.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

1. Determine whether the glass is European cut glass or American cut glass. If held to a light, American cut glass looks clear and brilliant. European cut glass can have other tints, such as blue, faint yellow, cloudy or gray. You can identify this tint by looking straight into the cut edge.
2. Look at the bottom of the glass. Often noted makers of cut glass signed their work. If you look at the bottom center of the glass, you may find initials, including an "L" for Libbey, who was the most noted of the American cut-glass makers. A magnifying glass can help you see these signatures more easily.
3. Rub your finger across the cuts in the glass. True American cut glass should feel thick, and you should be able to feel the edges of the cuts. Forgeries are cut with diamonds, so the edges of glass are not as deep.
4. Look for certain designs in the cut glass such as criss-crosses, pineapple designs, six-pointed stars, fans, rectangles, diamonds and more. If you can identify a delicate design, or it has concentrated lines, the cut-glass piece may be very valuable.