how do I tell difference between crystal and glass? e.g. candleholders.?

Question

candleholders are extremely heavy.

Answer 1

Glass usually has seams in 2-3 places where it was molded. Crystal does not. Crystal is heavier than glass for its size. If you pick it up and it's heavier than you expected, it's probably crystal. Also, crystal makes a clear "ping" sound when flicked w/ your fingernail. Glass makes a duller sound.

Answer 2

for tableware items such as candleholders and drinking vessels, the substance we call crystal *is* glass. the difference is the purity of the ingredients in the batch and the amount of certain additional ingredients. glass in its most basic form is silica (sand), soda, and lime (from rock such as limestone, not the fruit). other elements can be added for color, clarity, and hardness.

lead historically has been an item used to make a finer grade of glass known as crystal, or lead crystal. it became popular after being created in england by george ravenscroft around 16776. lead oxide made the glass batch heavier, softer, clearer, and with a higher refractive index. these properties made lead crystal perfect for not only optical uses, but also for fine tablewares, since its brilliance was unmatched when the glass was cut and engraved. methods of production changed when american factories started using a machine press to create glasswares. a molten gather of glass could be pressed into a mold to create a design instead of creating solid "blanks" that were then cut and engraved. this was a more cost effective means of production, and the glass batch used could be of a lesser quality. american pattern glass, carnival glass, and depression glass are all pressed as opposed to being cut.

so if you see a seam anywhere on the object, it's pressed and probably not crystal. if the object is heavier than you would expect, that would be an indication of the lead content. if the object "sparkles" more, and casts any spectrums when light shines through it, that also is an indication of its high lead content.

Answer 3

hi Queenie, Glass is created from sand and has many diverse ranges of high quality. Leaded glass (often latest in stemware) is purely glass that has been blended with bring about make the glass greater advantageous so as that they could make it somewhat skinny and it wont be too brittle. it particularly is going to "ping" in case you flick it (for terrific outcomes, do it someplace the place the glass is thinner). Crystal is purely severe high quality glass. It does no longer ought to incorporate lead (notwithstanding it could) and it does no longer must be cut back (notwithstanding it could). it particularly is barely a high quality glass. Glass shatters the comparable way (no count if it particularly is crystal or no longer, leaded or no longer). the only time glass shatters in yet otherwise is while it particularly is tempered (use in window panes, automobile windshields ...). Tempered glass will shatter in very small products which prevents harm to people. wish that enables. Mario

Answer 4

Simple!! All crystal has tone to it you pluck it with your finger. Hold the glass by the stem, gently pluck the glass near the rim with your finger and if you hear a tone that last for 4-6 seconds.... it's crystal!! If it last for 1-2 seconds.... it's glass!

Answer 5

Crystal has prisms in it...you can see them if hold it up to light. Also crystal when touched against other crystal will make a tinkling sound. Glass will just make a glass touching glass sound.

Answer 6

Crystal will make a nice "ping" sound when you tap on it with something. Glass makes a dull, thud sound.

Answer 7

Some crystal will have an etching on it - like Lennoxx or Waterford

Answer 8

Its been my experience that crystal is typically heavier and thicker. Also, most crystal will have a lable on it indicating it is crystal.

Answer 9

Crystal rings when you tap it and glass thunks.