Antique Crystal Stemware

Antique crystal stemware is a beautiful heirloom item that is often passed down from generation to generation. Because of its delicate nature crystal is often only used for special occasions and family members may forget the manufacturer and design over the years.

Always use soft cloths to dry your crystal.

Antique crystal can be difficult to identify. Some stemware does have a makers mark etched on the bottom but more often it does not. Here are some tips for identifying your antique stemware:

• Take good pictures of your stemware. In this way you can print them out and carry the pictures with you. This makes it a simple thing to match your pattern and add to your collection.
• Talk to antique dealers. They are often knowledgeable about patterns and may have resources, such as books and images, which they will let you use.
• Invest in a good price and pattern guide to antique crystal. You should be able to find your pattern in there.
• Search the Internet. Browse sites that carry antiques. Look carefully at the images and read the descriptions. If you find a pattern that matches yours contact the dealer and find out if they have more information. Antique dealers are most often a friendly group of people and are willing to help people when they can.
• Replacements, Ltd. carries thousands of patterns of antique crystal stemware, china, and other items. You may be able to find your pattern as well as replacement pieces there.
• You can also try looking at the manufacturers’ sites. Many of them have a collection of images from past designs and a little page about the history.

While there have been hundreds of companies that manufactured crystal stemware over the years, a few of them are better known than others.

• Baccarat has been a manufacturer of luxury crystal since 1822.
• Fostoria is one of the premier crystal and glass companies. There are over 90 patterns illustrated on this site. Fostoria was well known for both Depression Glass and crystal.
• Gorham crystal is well known and a popular collectible.
• Heisey went out of business in the 1950s but was an important manufacturer of crystal throughout the depression years. Ten patterns are illustrated on MatchYourCrystal.
• Lenox is well known for fine china but they also have numerous crystal patterns.
• Princess House did not make many patterns but the ones that they did make were very popular in the 1950s and 1960s.
• Of course, the king of all crystal is Waterford. Waterford has been in the business of making crystal since 1783.

Antique crystal stemware is beautiful and if you are lucky enough to have it you should enjoy it. Here are some tips for keeping it beautiful, intact, and ready to enrapture the generations to come.

• Keep it in a glass front cabinet if possible.
• If you use your crystal with acidic beverages then rinse the stemware thoroughly and promptly. Do not allow it to stand overnight with wine in the bottom of the glass.
• Wash with a mild soap. Baby shampoo works wonders for this.
• Keep a folded tea towel on the bottom of the sink when washing. This will protect the fragile crystal from chips, nicks and breakage.
• Do not overload the sink with crystal. Wash only a few pieces at a time.
• Rinse in water to which a little white vinegar has been added.
• Dry with a soft towel and put away immediately.
• Wrap securely in bubble wrap if you have to store it or ship it and place in a styrofoam cooler. The styrofoam will protect the crystal from vibration and jarring.

Heirloom crystal is something to be proud of. By caring for it properly, using it as much as you can, and replacing missing pieces you can continue to pass this delicate family legacy from generation to generation. With crystal stemware, matching vases, and beautiful china you can have a beautiful table for any occasion.

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