Early pieces were often made with leaded glass, which is heavier and has a less pronounced shine and hue than later crystal pieces made with lead-free soda-lime glass that got popular by the end of the 19th century. As you are well aware crystal is very hard to photograph. A collection of pictures of the following Waterford Crystal Patterns that include over 60 Patterns and designs that were produced by Waterford Crystal Ireland, This guide is for easy reference to determine what your Waterford Crystal pattern is. The brothers, neither of whom had a background in glass production, produced fine flint glass, a very popular decorative glass in England at the time. This article will help you identify the two. Seven claret wines (H: 5.875) Six Sherrys (H: 5.25) Thirteen cordials (H: 3.625) . A series of ring and upright cuts result in a diamond pattern etched on the glass. More like this. Using a magnifying glass, or holding the crystal up to the light, search for the stamp. $316.00. The first way to tell an authentic piece of Waterford is to look for the Waterford acid mark. Our iconic collections of crystal vases, bowls, tumblers, wine glasses draw inspiration from our proud Irish . Waterford made/makes a large variety of glass accessories ranging from chandeliers to tabletop accessories. If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. At the end of the 20th century, to commemorate the millennium, Waterford incorporated their seahorse logo into the stamp. Its called the scroll because you could think of those lines as unfolding scrolls. Whether you want to add an elegant touch to your holiday party or a Christmas party, crystal can enhance any event. The seahorse has always been a symbol for the Waterford crystal company, and this design reflects this. Subscribe to my RSS feed and get loads more! Amazon Digital Services, 2012. 1. In addition to that, most patterns were made by several companies, so there are slight variations even in established patterns. With the market full of fakes, getting an authentic item may seem like a task. The pattern usually starts with bigger hobnails, which become smaller and smaller. Because of that, its difficult to give you a full list of the types of vintage crystal patterns. A seam in the crystal means it is a machine-made piece and hasnt been hand blown, she says. Remember its the pattern, not the piece and I have picked the best possible pictures to demonstrate. It was in 1955 that Waterford Crystal made its first . The original Alana pattern was first introduced by the company in 1952 and has since been discontinued. It wasnt until the late 19th century that it became the most loved pattern in crystal. 2. Resembling a stencil pattern, the Waterford name is slightly opaque. The Penrose family sold the glassworks in 1797 to a partnership consisting of Ambrose Barcroft and Jonathan Gatchell. Today, the Lismore Diamond collection represents a striking modern interpretation of this design. You can also check out the story behind the Seahorse pattern by reading the story below. Waterford crystal is stamped with a gold sticker with a picture of the seahorse on the bottom. Since 1950, each piece of Waterford crystal has been stamped with the company logo. Thanks If you are looking to sell your Waterford, or purchase some at your next estate sale, read on to learn all about this long-standing tradition in crystal glassware. 4. We use cookies to make wikiHow great. Special needs facilities are available, as are multi-lingual tours. There are many imitation Waterford crystal items. Whether youre seeking a replacement for your wedding crystal collection, or simply like the vintage look of crystal items in your home and on your dining table, Waterford crystal can make a wonderful addition to your antique collection. For more advice, including how to identify genuine crystal by its weight and sound, keep reading. Designed by the Czech emigre Mirek Havel in l952, Lismore became the best-selling stemware pattern in the world. Lalique uses the star of David in many of its products. Remember its the pattern, not the piece and I have picked the best possible pictures to demonstrate. It is the oldest of the Waterford patterns still in production. If so, there are a few simple steps you can take to find out if its genuine. ET, and resting at midnight to signal the start of the new year. England also had a very high import tax for glass at the timea tax that didnt apply to Ireland. they are only used for identification purposes. in the crystal loving business.I had the privilege of knowing most of the chief designers and listened Topics: At the Waterford Crystal factories, nothing less than perfection is allowed to be processed for sale and pieces that don't make it hit the deck. If you can date your piece and connect it to a famous event or person, that will add to its value significantly. A beautiful clear crystal candle chimney. Crystal pieces in mint (perfect) condition are the most valuable ones, and even a slight defect can greatly reduce their worth. You need to know how to tell the difference between imitations and real Fostoria crystal. Waterford Crystal 6 Patterns of the Sea Flutes, Set of 6. To identify Waterford crystal, hold the item up the light and use a magnifying glass to locate an acid stamp that says Waterford." This stunning decanter was made during the 1990s and is marked (etched) Marquis by Waterford near the bottom (see second photo). Most crystals have a combination of silica, soda and lead-oxide. ", is very good advice. The Waterford stamp is found under the base of authentic glasses. In this article, were going to cover everything you need to know about vintage crystal pattern identification. Pieces made with lead crystal are going to be worth more than those made with soda-lime glass. GRAFTON STREET CRYSTAL. Furthermore, their prism-shaped stems and sparkling patterns are also famous among collectors. Wait a second. Plain glasses dont create this effect. The logo looks like a stencil pattern and appears on the underside of wine glasses and other pieces. Upon arrival, he studied the pattern books of the old Waterford glassworks. The name Waterford is synonymous with quality. By creating an account you agree to the Hunker, How to Tell the Difference Between Glass & Crystal Chandeliers, How to Find Out How Much My Crystal Glassware Is Worth. Once made exclusively in the town of Waterford, Ireland, the now American-owned company also includes factories in Slovenia, the Czech Republic and Germany. Touch device users, explore by touch or with . A Baccarat piece is likely to be heard if you hear a musical sound that echoes. These particular designs are not so easily recognized by the average home owner View more in our Waterford Crystal Price Guide. //--> If the piece is older, a magnifying glass may be necessary to find the stamp due to wear. Its roots go back to Waterford, Ireland, beginning in the year 1793. We've got you covered with this collection of recently-discontinued Waterford crystal patterns. Always check to see if a pattern still is in production before paying a premium price. Another of Waterfords most popular patterns is the Colleen. (1,358) $41.00. Does Waterford ever use just a W to mark glassware? Wait for the mixture to remove the residue. The increased lead content means that crystal takes longer to cool off than glass, which allows glassblowers more time to carve the intricate patterns often seen on crystal items.