How can I tell if my Waterford Crystal is vintage?
Since 1950, each piece of Waterford crystal has been stamped with the company logo. Resembling a stencil pattern, the Waterford name is slightly opaque. On a wine glass, it’s found on the underside of the base. If the piece is older, a magnifying glass may be necessary to find the stamp due to wear.
When did they stop making Waterford Crystal in Ireland?
The factory ceased production in 1851. George Gatchell relocated to England where he lived until his death 30 years later.
How can I tell if my glasses are crystal?
Get a glass and hold it up to a light source. You can tell that it is crystal if it creates a rainbow prism effect. If it doesn’t, then you are holding just a plain glass. If you tap the glass and you hear a musical ring with a little bit of echo, then it is crystal.
Identify Waterford Crystal by Stickers You can also identify Waterford crystal by the paper or foil sticker that is placed on the piece. Older pieces will feature a gold sticker with Waterford’s green seahorse logo. You can search for authentic images online to contrast and compare.
Is Waterford crystal collectible?
Waterford Crystal started business in 1783 and was operational until about 1850 when it closed because of lack of capitalization and taxes. Waterford crystal values fluctuate slightly on the world market depending on the economic conditions, but it is a desirable collectible of beautiful quality and style.
Does Waterford Crystal always have a mark?
What is the most popular Waterford crystal pattern?
Lismore
Waterford’s most popular cut-crystal pattern, Lismore, was created by the company’s designer Miroslav Havel in 1952. It was inspired by the spectacular Lismore Castle in Waterford County, Ireland, a magnificently turreted structure with intricate leaded windows.
What is the value of Waterford Crystal?
between $1,000 to $4,000
They estimate that Waterford-manufactured pieces and other highly decorated crystal are valued between $1,000 to $4,000. If the piece is in especially great condition, it could be worth even more!
How old is Waterford Crystal?
The origins of crystal production in Waterford date back to 1783 when George and his nephew William Penrose started their business, the Waterford Glassworks. It produced extremely fine flint glass that became world-renowned. Their Waterford company closed in June 1851, with the loss of 53-100 jobs.
What is the value of Waterford crystal?
Is Waterford crystal hand blown?
When tourists come to the ancient Irish town of Waterford, they naturally stop at its oldest building, a stalwart circular tower built by Reginald the Dane in 1003. It’s the Waterford Glass Factory. Although the factory is modern, the crystal is made by an age-old process, blown by mouth and cut by hand.
What is the history of Waterford Crystal?
Waterford Crystal was first established in 1783 on land adjacent to Merchants’ Quay in the heart of the Irish harbor town of Waterford, just minutes from the present-day House of Waterford Crystal. Its founders were brothers George and William Penrose, important developers and principal exporters in the city.
How can you tell an antique crystal?
Most antique crystal has an etching, symbol or sticker made by the company that manufactured it. Hold the stem up to a light to look for a manufacturer’s logo or emblem. For instance, Heisey stemware is marked with the Heisey diamond H, the letter H inside a diamond; some have an embossed H and and a diamond.
What to do with a Waterford Crystal pitcher?
Ideal for iced water, homemade lemonade, wine or fruit punch, the dramatic diamond and wedge cuts of the classic Waterford pitchers accentuate the clarity of whatever liquid you choose to fill it with. The ice buckets are ideal for the library, study, home office or wet bar.
What kind of Sparkle does Waterford Crystal have?
And it radiated a distinctive, silvery white brilliance, which Waterford Crystal’s artists enhanced with deeply – cut ornamentation that gave the finished pieces a vivacious, traditional Waterford crystal sparkle. This great tradition lay dormant for a hundred years.
When did George and William Penrose make Waterford Crystal?
When the brothers George and William Penrose founded the Waterford Glass House in 1783, they made a bold promise – to make Waterford crystal in “as fine a quality as any in Europe in the most elegant style.” It was no idle boast.
Which is the largest independent retailer of Waterford Crystal?
Crystal Classics is the largest independent retailer of Waterford Crystal. For centuries the Irish have been supreme artists in glass.