Hobbies And Interests
Things You'll Need
Instructions
Tap the glass piece gently against a hard surface such as a table or countertop to make sure the piece is glass. If the sound is hollow and the piece is light it is likely plastic. Crackled plastic tumblers and plates are common as they are cheap and look similar to the original glass pieces.
Search the piece for a manufacturer or artist label. This can be in the form of a glass stamp, sandblasted logo, sticker, or signature. These are often on the bottom side of the piece. Common crackle glass manufacturers include Blenko, Pilgrim, Rainbow, Bischoff and Kanawha, but there are many others. Check to see if the manufacturer whose name appears on the label produced crackle glass. If so, the glass is likely genuine. If there is no label, the piece may still be genuine, but the sticker may have worn off.
Turn the piece over and look through the bottom of the glass. If the bottom of the glass is not crackled, the piece is not genuine. The crackle glass production method causes all parts of the piece to become crackled not just the visible sides.
Search for variations in the color of the piece. Real crackle glass is a form of glass and not a topcoat. This means the glass is colored completely through. If the color is clear between the cracks, this indicates a topcoat of crackle color, thus the item is not genuine crackle glass.
Scratch a line on the bottom or some other inconspicuous part of the piece with a fingernail or piece of stainless steel like a fork or knife. This will not harm the glass, but will remove any false crackle glass glaze or finish. If peeling of the crackle finish is evident, the piece is not genuine.