How can you tell if a glass has been cut?
Examine the design. Hold the glass so that it reflects the light & look, particularly on facets, for fine striations from the tools used on cut glass. These are more obvious on older glass, where polishing was undertaken by hand. However, modern cut glass is chemically smoothed to remove all traces of cutting.
What is the most valuable cut of glass?
With new patterns and more lucrative material, cut glass from the Brilliant Period became the most valuable and collectible. Cut glass experienced a drastic decline a decade into the 20th century.
How do I identify a brilliant era cut glass piece?
WorthPoint is the largest resource online for identifying, researching and valuing antiques. Explore over 425 Million “sold for” prices with item details and images. Some Brilliant Era cut glass pieces have a designer’s mark, a signature cut in the glass. Another distinguishing feature is the polish used on the glass.
How can you tell the value of crystal glassware?
Once you have identified the manufacturer or the pattern, you can check to see what it would cost for a replacement piece, which also lets you know the piece's overall value. The more complete your crystal glassware set and the older and rarer the pattern, the more valuable it is.
Which cut glass is valuable?
American cut glass is a very valuable collectible on the antiques market. Values range based on quality, maker, condition, and pattern and many pieces regularly are worth $1,000 to $100,000. Get an online appraisal of your piece of glass from Dr.
How do you identify antique cut glass?
Much of the old glass was unsigned; paper labels did not survive: It would have required acid marks to permanently identify the manufacturer or glass-cutter. But a black light helps to establish the authenticity of old cut glass. The majority of ABP glass pieces will fluoresce lime-green when exposed to black light.
How can you tell good cut glass?
Cut glass will have sharper detail with a more defined pattern, whereas pressed glass will be smoother and worn to the touch. Look for mold marks. Cut glass will not have any mold marks and most pressed pieces do unless they are upper end pieces where someone took the time to remove them.
How can you tell the difference between cut glass and crystal?
Glass makes a clunking noise, while crystal sounds like a reverberated ringing. Another way to sound test the glassware is to lightly run a wet finger in a circular motion around the rim. If it's crystal, you will be able to hear a subtle tone that emanates from it.
What color glass is worth money?
Look for pink, blue and green glassware Pink, green and blue are the most valuable colors of depression glass. Pink tends to be the most valuable because it is more rare. Yellow and amber colored depression glass is more common and therefore less valuable.
Is cut glass marked?
Brand recognition was the main reason a piece of cut glass was stamped with an acid-coated marker, leaving behind an etched signature or trademark, frosted in appearance. This is evident from the wording used by those glass companies that extensively advertised their products.
How can you tell if a crystal is expensive?
0:371:38Very very clear crystal will be crystal. Will catch the light and crystal. Will also in fact have aMoreVery very clear crystal will be crystal. Will catch the light and crystal. Will also in fact have a particular color there's usually kind of a silvery haze or a silvery tone to crystal.
Does cut glass have a seam?
Look for seams. Glass that has been pressed in a mold often has easily visible seams, whereas any seams from the molding process of cut glass would be smoothed out before cutting in the design.
How do I identify my crystal glass patterns?
Crystal Stemware Manufacturer MarksYou 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.Some marks are molded or embossed, others are stamped or etched on the glass (Waterford, for example).More items...
How can you tell quartz from glass?
To tell glass from quartz, consider the characteristics of each. Glass may have round bubbles, quartz will not. Quartz will scratch glass due to differences in hardness. Use a gem tester to test thermal conductivity.
How do you tell if it's a real crystal?
Check to make sure before trying, though. Some natural crystals have lower scores on the Mohs hardness scale. An authentic crystal is going to leave a mark on a regular piece of scratch glass. If the one getting marked is the so-called crystal, then it's a fake crystal and not a natural stone.
What is American cut glass?
Handmade American cut glass is an art form that produces masterpieces that can’t be truly emulated on an ...
What year was cut glass made?
Historians consider the late 1880s to the early 1890s as the peak years for American cut glass. In 1889, T.G. Hawkes Company of Corning, New York, won several prestigious grand prizes at the Paris Exposition. Four years later, the Libbey Glass Company of Ohio took home two top prizes at the 1893 Columbia Exposition. Meanwhile, more than 1,000 companies made American cut glass in 1890 during the pinnacle of production.
How does identifying a maker affect the value of a piece of glass?
Identification of a piece’s maker represents a major factor that can increase a piece’s value, according to Kovels. Finding a maker’s mark or an artisan’s signature adds to the price of exquisite glasswork. Chips, nicks and dings lower the price of a piece substantially, even if the American cut glass comes from a valued manufacturer or from a certain time period. Collectors should try to identify the manufacturer first and then assess the condition of a glass piece. Enthusiasts can also check recent online auction sales to get an average price for certain items.
What are some of the most popular motifs in American glass?
Popular motifs among American glass makers include hobstars, fans, strawberry diamonds, flutes, beading, and chair caning . Several authoritative books have been written on the subject of American cut glass, so hobbyists should consider examining a few tomes to get an idea of what to look for when searching for high-quality, American cut glass.
When was cut glass invented?
The American cut glass period began in 1771 when Henry William Stiegel created the American Flint Glass Manufactory. This German immigrant produced the first known examples of American cut glass from his building in Manheim, Pennsylvania, according to M.S. Rau Antiques. These pieces varied little from European designs since these craftsmen brought the same techniques from their homelands.
When was the brilliant period?
A new era in American cut glass dawned with the so-called “Brilliant Period” from 1876 to 1920. Displays at the Centennial Exposition of 1876 in Philadelphia put some of the best American cut glass on the display, ...
Do glass pieces have signatures?
The first thing to keep in mind is collectors can identify relatively few pieces from various time periods, according to the American Cut Glass Association. Some pieces contain the signatures of their makers, while other simply have manufacturing marks. Despite how many manufacturers were in business in the early 1890s, not many glass makers had identifiable markings.
Where is the Waterford logo on a crystal?
Waterford crystal, for example, often bears the full Waterford name on the bottom of the glass , or it may include an image of a seahorse on a sticker with its name.
When was glass made?
Although the process of making glass has been around since about 3500 B.C., it wasn't until 1674 that Englishman George Ravenscroft patented the process of adding lead oxides to glass to make crystal. Advertisement. How to Find Out How Much My Crystal Glassware Is Worth. Image Credit: elenakor/iStock/GettyImages.
When did Laurie Brenner start writing?
As a native Californian, artist, journalist and published author, Laurie Brenner began writing professionally in 1975. She has written for newspapers, magazines, online publications and sites. Brenner graduated from San Diego's Coleman College.
Can you take a picture of a crystal?
You can also take a picture of the crystal, as long as you can clearly see the pattern in the photo; compare the mark to online databases or pictures in books. Even if you don't know the manufacturer, the pattern can help identify who made the crystal and determine its age.
What is the difference between pressed glass and cut glass?
Cut glass will have sharper detail with a more defined pattern , whereas pressed glass will be smoother and worn to the touch. Look for mold marks. Cut glass will not have any mold marks and most pressed pieces do unless they are upper end pieces where someone took the time to remove them. Feel the overall weight of the glass.
How to tell the difference between cut glass and pressed glass?
Higher quality glass is heavy and not light weight. Again, you have to get used to feeling the quality of glass to recognize the differences. Cut glass contains lead. The extra mineral content from the lead makes it much heavier. The lead gives cut glass a clearer and more "brilliant" appearance. When holding these pieces up to the light there is a vast difference in clarity and brilliance between cut glass and pressed glass. The facets on cut glass will sparkle in the light. The higher the clarity and the more brilliant the piece, the higher the lead content, and many times the more valuable.
What happens when you thump cut glass?
Lastly, when possible, listen to the glass. When you gently thump a piece of cut glass it will ring and sing back to you if it is truly cut glass.
Why is lead used in cut glass?
The extra mineral content from the lead makes it much heavier. The lead gives cut glass a clearer and more "brilliant" appearance. When holding these pieces up to the light there is a vast difference in clarity and brilliance between cut glass and pressed glass. The facets on cut glass will sparkle in the light.
Can antique glass crack?
Do this very carefully and never in an antique shop unless the owner has agreed to do it for you. Antique glass is very delicate and this can crack or even shatter some pieces. When possible, always look at a piece of glass you are interested in purchasing with outdoor daylight lighting.
Is cut glass more valuable than pressed glass?
Have you ever picked up a piece of clear glass and wondered if it was cut glass or pressed glass? Maybe you don't know enough about glass to have considered the differences? Cut glass is almost always more valuable than pressed glass and these tips will help you decipher between the two like a pro.
What to put cut glass on?
While establishing the provenance of the older pieces can be challenging, placing a fine piece of cut glass in your home is not. An ornate, dazzling cut-glass bowl on a contemporary ebony dining table is stunning; fill it with green apples or heritage roses from the garden. Cut-glass candlesticks on a cedar-plank mantel add extra sparkle to bayberry holiday candles. A cut-glass candy dish might hold dark whole olives or gaily wrapped chocolates at a party. And, although cut glass was not a feature of Mid-Century Modern decor, a set of ornately incised water goblets or radiant sherbet dishes blend right in with the Saarinen table and the clear molded ghost chairs at your very modern get-together.
What color does ABP glass turn?
The majority of ABP glass pieces will fluoresce lime-green when exposed to black light. Other pieces show orange, purple or pink tints under the light, but there are some antiques, such as work from Libbey Glass, Hunt's Royal pattern and Meriden's Alhambra pattern that don't react under black light.
What was ABP glass?
ABP glass, hand-cut from roughly the last quarter of the 19th century to the first quarter of the 20th, was an elaborate, extremely reflective and dazzling art form that appealed to wealthy collectors. World War I commandeered the lead supplies needed for the finest glass, and the post-war Depression killed the market for luxury items.
What is the Czech pattern?
A 1949 Czech pattern, blown in a mold and hand cut, copied the images from the newly discovered Lascaux Cave paintings of Ice Age animals. But styles were changing, and Scandinavian glass, with its experimentation with form and color, and smooth, unfaceted finishes, epitomized Mid-Century Modern design.
Why do glass cutters dip their glass in acid?
The clear bell-like tones of the best glass were softer, and, instead of hand-polishing, glass-cutters began to dip their pieces in an acid bath to smooth the rough or too-sharp edges. Old patterns were still a mainstay of production, however.
When was vintage glass made?
Antique glass is a century or more old; vintage glass, produced in the period from around 1930 to 1965 or so, was pressed, machine-made, practical and inexpensive, but only the rare example was true cut glass.
When did American craftspeople cut and polished the elaborate pieces?
American and European patterns were indistinguishable; fine craftspeople hand cut and polished the elaborate pieces from the early 1870s to the first decades of the 1900s. Makers patented motifs that they worked and reworked into intricate variations on their signature designs.
How did glass cutting work during the Brilliant Period?
Glass for cutting requires 40% lead oxide. The lead oxide changes the properties of the glass. Lead oxide softens the existing glass in order to allow the cutting wheels to produce patterns without shattering the glass. The glass mixture is made up of silica, potash, and lead oxide. This was melted in a furnace at 2400 degrees F and blown into the desired shape or form. Glass was shaped and placed into an annealing or cooling oven where it was allowed to cool to room temperature. Some pieces of glass could take as long as 10 days to cool in order to then be cut. If the piece was cut before it was fully cooled, it could shatter and break.
Why is glass cut better?
Glass furnace temperatures were controlled and glass cutting machines were improved and thus, the product of cut glass was better. While glass was viewed as inexpensive, there were high labor costs and the need for skilled craftsmen to make a piece of cut glass. Cut glass soon became a luxury item.
What was the impact of natural gas on glass?
Steam powered cutting wheels were replaced with more accurate electric ones. And, natural gas glass furnaces made it easier to control the temperature levels used during the glass making process . Glass furnace temperatures were controlled and glass cutting machines were improved and thus, the product of cut glass was better.
What is a glass cutter called?
A glass cutter, called a “rougher”, would hold the piece of glass against a fast moving, beveled, metal wheel. While cutting, the glass piece would be cooled and the cut depth would be determined by the expertise of the rougher and the sound of the wheel. Many wheels would be employed to cut a design.
What is lead oxide?
The lead oxide changes the properties of the glass. Lead oxide softens the existing glass in order to allow the cutting wheels to produce patterns without shattering the glass. The glass mixture is made up of silica, potash, and lead oxide.
How much is American cut glass worth?
Values range based on quality, maker, condition, and pattern and many pieces regularly are worth $1,000 to $100,000. Dr. Lori also discusses pressed glass pieces.
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How was American Brilliant Cut Glass made?
Facets were cut into finished glass pieces by pressing them against a large rotating iron or stone wheel , according to The Glass Encyclopedia website.
What is cut to clear glass?
Items with an outer layer of colored glass , called cut-to-clear, also bring high prices. Be sure to do some research to make sure you're not purchasing a piece of newer European glass. The new pieces don’t have the fine look of American Brilliant cut-to-clear glass but can be confusing to a novice just the same. This is where visiting a glass show in your area can provide quite an education and help to develop your eye for quality .
What do collectors look for in antiques?
Avid collectors look for pieces incorporating the most workmanship, which often had numerous hands touch each piece before they were deemed complete. And, as with most antiques and collectibles, older items with more handcrafting sell for higher prices in comparison to lesser quality pieces.
Why did the patterns change in the glass?
The patterns changed, too, as corners were cut to save money and increase profits. In general, the decorations were less elaborate as time passed with less swirled cuts and precise points cut into the glass. Artistry was less important at this time as the focus shifted to the bottom line.
Where was cut glass made?
Prior to that time, most cut glass pieces were produced in England, Ireland, and France. When American manufacturers displayed their wares at the Centennial Exposition in Philadelphia in 1876, their clear, bright, leaded glass garnered new respect when compared to glass exhibited from other countries. From that point on, American cut glass became ...
When was the American Brilliant Period?
The American Brilliant Period in cut glass history began around 1850 and lasted into the early 1900s. Immigrants helped supply glass houses in the United States with skilled cutters allowing them to develop a product rivaling European cut glass. Prior to that time, most cut glass pieces were produced in England, Ireland, and France.
Is cut glass authentic?
Some cut glass pieces can even be found with a signature, but be sure the marks are authentic. In an article formerly posted on the Collecting Channel (no longer online), cut glass collector Joyce Worley reported that signatures are rare on early wares since many makers "often tried to pass their pieces off as more-expensive European glass." Genuine signed pieces were usually produced in the late 1800s through the end of the American Brilliant period around 1916.
How to tell if glass is pressed?
Check for seams. Glass from a mould often has seams, which show as lines in the finished product. The number of lines depends upon the shape of the finished article & construction of the mould. Depending upon the age of the mould (they wear with use) the pattern may be more or less sharp. In a faceted drop such as a 'crystal', the seam will run all the way around the edge like a ring for poured glass. Although there is nothing to stop pressed glass being cut subsequently the issue is usually: is this design cut or moulded?
Why is glass not even in shape?
Pressed glass from a mold has smooth even edges while cut glass will not be as even in its pattern because it is cut by using visual cues. Test it with the UV light as suggested in the article.
Why do you hold glass?
Hold the glass so that it reflects the light & look, particularly on facets, for fine striations from the tools used on cut glass. These are more obvious on older glass, where polishing was undertaken by hand. However, modern cut glass is chemically smoothed to remove all traces of cutting.
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Does poured glass mirror the exterior?
In poured or pressed glass, the interior of the glass might have have slight dimples that mirror the exterior. Examine the design. Hold the glass so that it reflects the light & look, particularly on facets, for fine striations from the tools used on cut glass.
Is cut glass smooth?
However, modern cut glass is chemically smoothed to remove all traces of cutting. This can leave as smooth a finish as good pressed glass. Also, on older cut glass there are often variations in the shape & spacing of the pattern.
Do depression era pieces need trained eye?
Many depression-era styles are recreated today, so your piece will need a trained eye to be absolutely certain of authenticity.