Hobbies And Interests
Instructions
Look for clues on the crystal. Often, the manufacturer's name is etched into the bottom. Check the underside of your place setting for any maker's marks. Look carefully. These marks are often hard to see if the piece is heavily carved. Also, if you have any paperwork that came with your crystal, look there for manufacturer and pattern information.
Consult collectors' guides. Examples of books that focus on collecting crystal include "Encyclopedia of American Cut and Engraved Glass" by Albert Christian Revi and "Florences Glassware Pattern Identification Guide" by Gene Florence and Cathy Florence. Collectics, an antiques and collectibles bookstore, offers a list of books on collecting and identifying crystal.
Explore online and brick-and-mortar antiques stores. Go to local antiques stores and look at their inventory. You may find examples of your place setting. Also, don't be afraid to ask the store owner for help. Many antique store owners are knowledgeable about crystal patterns or have their own library of collector guides. Online stores let you peruse a large selection of crystal at your leisure and often have detailed pictures and descriptions that will help you identify your place setting. Some examples of online stores include CrystalClassics.com, which features new crystal, and RubyLane.com, which offers vintage and antique wares.
Check with dealers in older or discontinued crystal. Often, if you are having trouble identifying your place settings, it means that the pattern is an older one that has been discontinued. In that case, look for help from discontinued china and crystal companies such as Replacements Limited. They feature a large, illustrated online selection. By looking through their stock, you may be able to spot your pattern. If not, they will help you if you send them a picture of your place setting. (reference 2)
Visit auction sites. There is a good chance that someone out there has your same place setting and is trying to sell it on eBay. Besides being a source for buying additional place settings, the site is also a good place to research your crystal. Many times, you can identify your place settings by exploring the pictures and descriptions of pieces that are up for auction. The site also has helpful online guides written by collectors in various fields. (reference 3)
Ask the experts. If you are willing to spend a few bucks in order to identify your place settings, consult a professional appraiser. Ask antique or collectible store owners for recommendations on how to find a qualified expert in this field.