How to Identify Lead Crystal
Identifying the differences between lead crystal and ordinary glass is not an exact process. Yet there are certain aspects to look for: Lead crystal is softer than ordinary glass, allowing for intricate patterns to be cut into the surface, and it's characteristic luster gives lead crystal a clearer appearance than ordinary glass. Fine lead crystal is identified by its slight gray tint, which throws the highlights of the surface's design into more defined contrast. Does this Spark an idea?
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Things You'll Need
- Lead crystal glassware
- Ordinary glassware
- 1 tbsp of mild liquid detergent
- Soft cloth or paper towels
- Water
Instructions
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1
Hand wash each piece of glassware separately in warm water. Add 1 tbsp of mild liquid dish detergent to the water to remove smudges from the surface of the glassware.
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2
Dry each piece with paper towels or a soft cloth till they are completely dry. Examine the glassware in a well lit area to ensure that pieces are smudge-free.
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3
Hold both pieces toward the light. The lead crystal piece will refract the light, producing a rainbow effect, while the light passing through ordinary glass with not produce any effect. Also notice how lead crystal appears to glisten and sparkle more than the ordinary glassware.
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4
Tap your finger gently against a curved area of the pieces. The lead crystal piece will produce a clear ringing tone and will continue to vibrate slightly. Lead crystal is heavier than ordinary glass, which causes the vibrations to last longer and produces a clearer sound. Ordinary glass will have a pinging sound and will not vibrate.
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5
Feel the weight difference of each piece. The lead crystal piece is heavier than the ordinary glass because of the lead oxide added to the glass. The heavier a piece is (when compared to ordinary class) the higher the lead oxide content.
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Tips & Warnings
There is no internationally agreed-upon standard for lead crystal. In Europe, glass that contains at least 4 percent lead oxide is known as crystal. In the United States, glass is defined as lead crystal if it contains as little as 1 percent lead oxide. When buying lead crystal keep in mind that some manufactures call high-quality glass "crystal," although the glass has no amount of lead oxide.
