| In the world of collectibles, china crystal decoration | | | | companies from the 1920’s to the |
| glassware makes an interesting pursuit. The | | | | 1980’s. Although easy to find during its height |
| glassware is available in a variety of patterns and | | | | of popularity, this type of china crystal decoration |
| styles of decoration and reflects the history of | | | | glassware is not the common glassware also |
| manufacturing techniques. Collectible china crystal | | | | available during those years. Elegant glassware |
| decoration glassware can be hand blown and | | | | includes plain patterns, etched or cut patterns. |
| crafted using techniques that are centuries old or | | | | Although colored patterns are rarer, the colors |
| it can be partly mass-manufactured or decorated. | | | | used range from cobalt and ruby to pale yellow |
| The styles also tell the story of taste and fashion | | | | and fuchsia. |
| through the ages from the fine elegance of the | | | | They can also be trimmed with gold or platinum. |
| past to the practicality and casual lifestyles of the | | | | The patterns of elegant glassware reflect the |
| present. | | | | tastes of the decades in which they were popular. |
| Crystal Ware | | | | In the 1920’s and 1930’s, brides would |
| The difference between glassware and crystal is | | | | choose a crystal pattern along with their patterns |
| the lead content. Glass is made of sodium and | | | | for china and silver. Manufacturers of elegant |
| potassium while crystal is composed of sodium, | | | | glassware began to give romantic names to their |
| silicone and lead. The lead content makes the | | | | crystal patterns during this time. This type of |
| crystal soft enough to cut and etch, changes the | | | | china crystal decoration glassware reflects the |
| light diffraction and makes the crystal heavier. | | | | trend toward elegant dining of the times. |
| Whether referring to beverage serving pieces, | | | | It was not unusual for a household to have |
| decorative pieces such as vases, or figures, a | | | | kitchen servants which made several courses the |
| piece is described as “full lead crystal” if it | | | | norm – each course having its own china, |
| contains at least 30% lead. If it contains 24% to | | | | silver and crystal style. The trend toward more |
| 29% lead, it can be called “lead crystal.” | | | | casual dining along with the inexpensive crystal |
| Crystal glass or crystalline contains less than 24% | | | | that flooded the market following World War II |
| lead. | | | | drove most of the elegant glassware |
| One type of collectible china crystal decoration | | | | manufacturers out of business. The beauty, |
| glassware is the elegant American glassware. This | | | | variety and the care taken in keeping this type of |
| somewhat inaccurate name is given to handmade | | | | china crystal decoration glassware make elegant |
| crystal glasses made by several American | | | | glassware very collectible. |