6 Expert-Approved Ways To Identify Crystal Glassware

You're rummaging through the cabinets at an estate sale, and you come across a set of 12 beautifully etched wine glasses. They're priced to sell, but do you really need another set of wine glasses? Perhaps you do if they're crystal—and the etching seems just fancy enough that they might be. But how do you know?

Looking at the crystal and glass side-by-side, it can be almost impossible to tell them apart, especially to the untrained eye. Two experts in glassware and crystal shared their tips for identifying the two in the wild and determining when you've found a valuable crystal collection.

What Is Crystal?

Glass and crystal both start as a transparent material that is made from natural materials including sand, limestone, and soda ash. Crystal, however, also has lead oxide, barium oxide, zinc oxide, or potassium oxide added. These minerals make the crystal stronger, and they're the reason crystal often has elaborate etching and detail.

How To Identify Crystal

Looking at crystal and glass, there are more similarities than differences. You have two clear materials, often both with etching or cut details. But here are the six giveaways that will help you identify the more valuable crystal from the everyday glass.

Feel the Weight

"Crystal is heavier than glass because of its mineral content," says Robbins. Have you ever heard of something referred to as "heavy as lead"? That comes into play here—crystal is actually heavier because of the lead. Even lead-free crystal has more weight than glass.

Look at the Thickness

While crystal feels heavier than glass, it is often thinner. Because of crystal's strength, it's possible to have a much thinner rim and body to a wine glass or drinking glass, yet it's still just as strong as the normal glassware.

Consider the Appearance

"Crystal is clearer and brighter than other glassware, which is sometimes cloudy," says Robbins. There's a sparkle to it, and it will maintain the clear appearance over time, while glassware can become dull.

Look for a Prism of Colors

"When you hold crystal up to the light, you'll see a prism of colors," says Wright. You can use a flashlight to test the crystal and glass. When you see the rainbow of colors, you know you have crystal on your hands.

Listen for the Sound

Wright says, "A flick with your finger on crystal produces a distinctive ring." It should sound long, drawn out, musical, and bell-like. Meanwhile, a tap on glass produces nothing but a quick thud.

Assess the Cut and Etching

"Because of its strength, crystal can be molded into thinner, more delicate shapes. The strength also makes it suitable for decorative cutting and etching," says Robbins. If you see intricate detail that seems to defy the fragility of the material, then there's a good chance the glass is crystal.

How Do You Know If Crystal Is Leaded?

Lead is a concern these days but, in previous generations, it wasn't even a blip on the radar. Nearly all crystal was leaded, and that meant that it contained 30% lead oxide. Today, the threshold is 24%.

That sounds like a significant amount, but it's not typically a concern if you're using leaded crystal glasses just for the duration of a dinner party—and there's good reason to! "Full lead crystal is the most brilliant and desirable," notes Wright.

But whether you're pouring wine or water, the liquid is not exposed to the glass for long enough to leach lead into it. The only time you should be concerned is if you're storing wine or liquor in a leaded crystal decanter, where it's exposed to the substance for a longer amount of time.

If you're looking for a storage vessel or want to be on the safe side, it can be difficult to distinguish leaded versus lead-free crystal, but the weight may offer a clue. Leaded is going to be heavier than lead-free. Beyond the weight, your best bet is to look at the age of the piece. Crystal produced after the late 1970s is less likely to be leaded.

Keep An Eye Out For These Crystal Patterns And Makers

If you've been lucky enough to inherit crystal, then there's of course value in its sentimental state. But, if you're scouring estate sales and antique shops looking for crystal that will become your go-to entertaining pieces for holiday seasons to come, then there are a few names to keep an eye out for (though there are also countless gorgeous pieces out there that don't have a famous maker—and that's where you're more likely to find the deals!).

"Renowned names in crystal include Waterford and Lalique. You might even find vintage perfume bottles made by Lalique," says Wright. "Bohemia cut-to-clear crystal is also highly collectible and valuable."

Wright notes that you may find an etched seahorse on a Waterford piece that will help you identify it, but it can be difficult to actually locate. "I’ve had to use pencil lead rubbed over a lamp until I finally found the mark." 

Robbins adds, "Baccarat has been producing crystal since 1817 and is still producing premium drinkware, including their iconic Massena. Thistle by Edinbugh crystal is an unmistakable shape."

And, if you're not quite sure what to do with crystal you've inherited or found, Wright suggests using bowls for holiday decorating, picking up bud vases for flowers, using crystal whiskey glasses, and pulling out the crystal candlesticks when you're entertaining. "For modern living, choose patterns or shapes that fit best with your aesthetic," adds Wright.