How to Identify Genuine Waterford Crystal: Ireland’s Treasured Glassware
- Purchase Your Own Waterford Crystal in Ireland One way to know for sure that your Waterford crystal is genuine is to buy it from a reputable, verified seller—and nowhere is more reputable than the Irish factory itself. ...
- Identify by Waterford Acid Stamps ...
- Identify Waterford Crystal by Stickers ...
- Inspect the Quality of Crystal ...
- Verify the Design ...
- Visit Waterford ...
How do you identify Waterford Crystal?
To identify Waterford crystal, hold the item up the light and use a magnifying glass to locate an acid stamp that says “Waterford."
How can I tell if a Waterford pattern is valuable?
Look also for a signature piece of Waterford. Special issue pieces are signed by a Waterford ambassador and are more valuable. Compare the pattern with known Waterford and Marquis patterns to determine the pattern name. Check with the Waterford website for items still available.
How can I tell if a Waterford stamp is real?
Research the Waterford marks. Search online for images of authentic Waterford acid stamps. Older stamps feature the name “Waterford” in Gothic-script in either one of two designs. Pieces made since the year 2000 include the seahorse trademark.
Is Waterford Crystal still available for sale?
Although Waterford has been in bankruptcy and receivership since 2009, the website still has items for sale. Horchow also sells Waterford crystal online. Find other pieces that have sold if the pattern is no longer in production.
How do you tell if something is Waterford Crystal?
The first way to tell an authentic piece of Waterford is to look for the Waterford acid mark. Using a magnifying glass, or holding the crystal up to the light, search for the stamp. It will most likely appear on the stem's base, but can also be found in the grooves as well.
What are the patterns of Waterford?
Waterford Crystal PatternsLismore. Craftsmanship: a fusion of inspiration from the landscape and skills passed down generation to generation. ... Lismore Diamond. The Lismore Diamond collection is a strikingly modern reinterpretation of our Lismore Classic design. ... Wild Atlantic Way. ... Dungarvan. ... Colleen. ... Irish Lace. ... Seahorse.
Is Waterford always marked?
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.
How do you identify a crystal pattern?
A magnifying glass and holding the stemware up to light can help you spot the mark and read it. You could find the mark on the rim or center of the foot, on the stem, or on the bottom of the bowl. The mark could be an initial, a logo, a word, or coded numbers and letters.
What is the sound of waterford crystal smashing on cement?
The sound of elegant, expensive Waterford crystal smashing on cement is bone-chilling. Beauty is being destroyed, but it's for the right reason. At the Waterford Crystal factories, nothing less than perfection is allowed to be processed for sale – and pieces that don't make it hit the deck.
Where is the Waterford name on a wine glass?
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.
What is the sea horse on a waterford stamp?
At the end of the 20th century, to commemorate the millennium, Waterford incorporated their seahorse logo into the stamp. The tail of this seahorse curls outward and counterclockwise, and a shamrock is formed within its center space. Advertisement.
Where is the Waterford box made?
The Waterford Box. Once made exclusively in the town of Waterford, Ireland, the now American-owned company also includes factories in Slovenia, the Czech Republic and Germany. If the piece was made in any of these four countries, it's more likely to be an original. The country of origin is printed on the box label.
Who invented lead crystals?
In 1600s London, glassmaker George Ravenscroft introduced lead into the glass melting process. His tinkering with the metal-glass mix resulted in lead crystal – a "crystal"-clear, strong, durable compound that chimes when tapped with the fingers and feels warm in the hand.
Is lead crystal light?
Unlike lightweight glass, lead crystal is heavy. When holding a piece up to the light it should be perfectly clear – a silvery-white. Regular glass produces a yellow or green tint. The bases of most Waterford crystal have the word "Waterford" etched on the underside. Older Waterford crystal carried a green and gold sticker with the logo. However, this may have been removed after years of wear.
How many Waterford crystal patterns are there?
A collection of sketches of Waterford Crystal Patterns in PDF format that include 50 patterns and designs that were produced by Waterford Crystal Ireland, This guide is for easy reference to determine and identify what your Waterford Crystal pattern is.
What are the names of the waterford crystals?
Waterford Crystal has produced many patterns over the years and are varied as light in the rainbow. The popular ones are Lismore, Colleen, Shannon, Tramore and are easily identified by collectors in the crystal loving business.
How many patterns are there in Waterford crystal?
Not only does the company create a variety of different vessels and decorations, but each item is often carved in multiple patterns. Currently, there are 100 patterns in production in addition to several that have been archived.
What is Waterford Crystal?
Wait a second. Let’s back it up a little and start with this question:
What is the best crystal for weddings?
Crystal stemware was a classic wedding gift for many decades and this tradition still stands when it comes to the best, timeless brands of crystal. Waterford crystal is one of those brands.
Why was the Waterford Crystal factory closed?
After 70 years of building a reputation for the finest and clearest glass, including a nod from King George III who had his vacation home outfitted with Waterford crystal, the original Waterford factory was closed in 1853 because of lack of funds.
Why does crystal sparkle in the light?
Crystal has a higher lead content than regular glass, which is part of why it sparkles in the light. The lead content of crystal changes many of its qualities. When compared to traditional glass, it is often thinner, more clear, and heavier.
Why is Waterford so popular?
That said, Waterford is often well-liked because of the company’s history of high quality products. If you are looking for a true Waterford item, use the above identification tips when you go shopping at the next estate sale near you.
What is a crystal glass?
Crystal is a type of glass, specifically glass made with lead. Most crystals have a combination of silica, soda and lead-oxide. Lead crystal is very strong and often used in wine glasses and decorative ornaments.
How to tell if a Waterford crystal is Marquis?
Locate this mark to determine if your piece is stamped Waterford or Marquis, the line of lesser value. Look also for a signature piece of Waterford. Special issue pieces are signed by a Waterford ambassador and are more valuable. Compare the pattern with known Waterford and Marquis patterns to determine the pattern name.
What is the waterford crystal?
Waterford crystal is marked with an etched seahorse or English script logo on the bottom that is sometimes difficult to locate. Locate this mark to determine if your piece is stamped Waterford or Marquis, the line of lesser value. Look also for a signature piece of Waterford.
What is the name of the trophy that Waterford has won?
Waterford has made the Times Square New Year’s Ball and the Stanley Cup trophy along with other trophies like the Volvo Ocean Race trophy. Waterford introduced Lismore in 1997 for the 50th anniversary of the reopening, and it has become a top seller in the United States and the world.
When did Waterford Crystal start making stemware?
Waterford stemware is made in many patterns. Waterford Crystal started business in 1783 and was operational until about 1850 when it closed because of lack of capitalization and taxes. Waterford reopened in 1947, producing most of the fine Waterford crystal available today after that date. Waterford has made the Times Square New Year’s Ball and ...
Is Waterford Crystal still available?
Check with the Waterford website for items still available. Use the website to see current prices for the same pattern and piece. Although Waterford has been in bankruptcy and receivership since 2009, the website still has items for sale. Horchow also sells Waterford crystal online.
Does waterford crystal affect value?
There is nothing that affects value more than the condition. Pieces of Waterford crystal in the box that do not appear to have been used are valued higher than those pieces that show some scratches, cloudiness or surface chipping. Items with damage are valued at half or less than items with no damage. Advertisement.
