Crystal items are very attractive and people use them abundantly. Many like to decorate their homes with it, while others like gifting their loved ones. Most of the people also enjoy a variety of beverages from water to port to wine in crystal wine glasses which gives it a royal feel. Such items have great brilliance and elegance.
Something about the chemical composition of crystal glassware
Considering its chemical composition, this kind of glassware is basically a lead glass. Earlier there used to be 18 per cent to 20 per cent lead oxide but nowadays due to availability of silica; crystal wares contain less than 25 per cent lead oxide.
This kind of glassware was formerly used to store and serve drinks, but due to the potential health hazard such glassware has become obsolete. Alternatively, these with barium oxide, zinc oxide or potassium oxide are used.
Using lead or lead free wine glass is popular for mainly two reasons -
Firstly, the content in the glass tends to have refraction of light which gives it a sparkle.
Secondly, the addition of minerals makes it quite robust.
Types of crystal glassware
There are many different types of crystal glasses viz. lead, non-lead, blown, cut etc.
This is a type of engraved glassware. As the name suggests, it is made by blowing air into molten crystals.
Blowing is done either by machine or by mouth.
In machine made blown crystal glasses; molten material is put inside a mold to obtain desired shape.
In mouth blown process a person blows molten glass with a narrow tune on one end to achieve the right shape. The mouth blown process was used in earlier days. This process is quite slow and dangerous.
These kind of glasses are first blown into the desired shape similar to the blown crystal glasses. After this, artisans trace a pattern onto the surface of the glass and carve the glass using a carving wheel. Creating cut crystal is a multi-step process using many roughing and smoothing technique.
Manufacturing glassware in such a way makes it more brilliant and reflective than its blown counterpart. Such items are more adorable. Most of the people use such beautifully engraved crystal containers to store liquor, champagne, wine, etc.
Considerations and precautions for use of crystal glassware
These type of containers are very sensitive to temperature change. It is advised not to use these delicate glassware for any hot beverage as it can cause the cracking of glass. Pouring ice can shatter it as well. It is so because these crystal wares are quite thick and it cannot sustain the high difference between inner and outer temperature.
A research of Columbia University suggests that wine or spirit in crystal glasses reacts with its lead content.
Heath Canada gives some guidelines for minimizing the risk associated with the use of these kind of glassware. These are as follows -
Don't store liquors with high alcohol content in crystal wine carafes.
Pregnant women and small children should never eat food in crystal wares.
Always soak new lead crystals in vinegar for at least a day before using it.
Now, if there is a place where you can store tall glasses, or if you enjoy a glass of wine every night and if you enjoy cleaning and organising your kitchen then you should of course buy glassware or stemless crystal glasses.
The use of these kind of items is not only limited to glassware or containers. They are used as gifts, presents and awards in many ceremonies like honouring people as well.
There are many different types of crystal items, crystal wares and crystal showpieces that you can purchase from different online stores. Keep searching and find a suitable one for yourself!
The only trusted name in the UK, Brierley Hill Crystal has mastered the art of manufacturing, cutting and smoothing with more than hundred years of dedication in engraved crystal wares industry. It has both online presence and mortar-brick store at West Midlands. It has the wide collection of antique crystal gifts or presents ideal for receptions, parties and award ceremonies.