How to Identify Crystal Glassware

Wash each piece of glassware separately in warm water. To safely remove dirt, dust and smudges from the glass surface add one tbsp. of mild liquid dish detergent to the water.

Gently dry each piece of glassware with a soft cloth or paper towels until they are completely dry. Examine the glassware in a well-lit area to ensure that they are smudge-free.

Examine each piece of glassware, holding it towards the light. The crystal glassware will refract the light, producing a rainbow effect. Crystal glassware will also appear to glisten and sparkle more than the ordinary glassware. Ordinary glassware will not produce any effect.

Gently tap your fingernail against a curved area of the glassware. The crystal glassware will produce a clear ringing tone, which will continue to vibrate slightly for a short time. Crystal is heavier than ordinary glass, which causes the vibrations to last longer and produces a clearer sound. When the ordinary glassware is tapped it will produce a pinging sound, and it will not vibrate.

Hold the glassware in your hands and feel the weight of each piece. Notice the weight difference. Crystal is heavier than ordinary glass due to the lead oxide added to the glass during firing. The heavier a piece of glassware is (when compared to ordinary glassware of the same size) the higher the lead oxide content.