How is fine crystal machined?
I am curious as too what manufacturing and machining techniques are used when making fine cut crystal?
First of all, fine crystal has to contain at least 24% lead in the glass batch to be able to be called crystal. This lead makes the glass really soft and pliable when forming and allows for a fabulous light refractory, why it shines so nice.
Cutting and polishing crystal is all done by hand with diamond saws, glass grinders, and felt polishing wheels. It is a tedious and meticulous process. I believe Waterford crystal has some videos available.
Although I believe it is possible, I have never seen nor heard of a person using machinist techniques to cut and polish glass.
As for the cheaper "cut crystal", it is usually formed or pressed into a mold first and then acid polished, giving it a similar appearance to real crystal.
 |
 Thomas Webb London Cut Sherry Stem Clear Crystal 4 1 4 T Signed $16.50 Time Remaining: 6h 12m Buy It Now for only: $16.50 |
 Ajka Marsala Lt Blue Azzuro Cut to Clear Crystal Brandy Glass Snifter Goblet New $85.00 Time Remaining: 6h 26m Buy It Now for only: $85.00 |
 Ajka Marsala Amethyst Purple Cut to Clear Crystal Brandy Glass Snifter Goblet $85.00 Time Remaining: 6h 28m Buy It Now for only: $85.00 |
 Ajka Marsala Cobalt Blue Cut to Clear Crystal Brandy Glass Snifter Goblet New $85.00 Time Remaining: 6h 35m Buy It Now for only: $85.00 |
 Ajka Marsala Yellow Gold Cut to Clear Crystal Brandy Glass Snifter Goblet New $85.00 Time Remaining: 6h 40m Buy It Now for only: $85.00 |
 SET OF 4 FOUR BEAUTIFUL BOHEMIA FINE DIAMOND CUT CLEAR CRYSTAL WINE GLASSES $49.00 Time Remaining: 7h 20m Buy It Now for only: $59.00 |
 Ajka Marsala Emerald Green Cut to Clear Crystal DOF Whiskey Glasses Pair Signed $155.00 Time Remaining: 7h 23m Buy It Now for only: $155.00 |
 6 Nachtmann Cut to Clear Cased Crystal Cordials Glasses Goblets 4 3 4 Germany $249.00 Time Remaining: 7h 39m Buy It Now for only: $249.00 |
 VINTAGE COBALT BLUE CUT TO CLEAR CRYSTAL HIGHBALL GLASS $12.99 Time Remaining: 7h 41m |
 RARE CZECHOSLOVAKIAN HAND CUT COLORED ORANGE GOBLET WINE GLASS VINTAGE CRYSTAL $68.99 Time Remaining: 7h 58m Buy It Now for only: $68.99 |
 KOSTA BODA HEAVY Hand Cut CRYSTAL RIBBED BOWL Warff SWEDEN VINTAGE $79.99 Time Remaining: 8h 9m |
 Antique Knife Rest Sparkling Cut Crystal Glass Vintage Table setting $14.95 Time Remaining: 8h 25m Buy It Now for only: $14.95 |
 EGERMANN RUBY RED CUT TO CLEAR LG VASE W 8 CLEAR CRYSTAL PRISMS $69.00 Time Remaining: 9h 27m |
 Nachtmann Traube Amethyst Purple Cut to Clear Crystal Wine Goblet Glass Signed $95.00 Time Remaining: 9h 32m Buy It Now for only: $95.00 |
 Vintage West Germany Hand Cut Crystal 10 Vase w Label Stunning $24.99 Time Remaining: 9h 34m |
 BOHEMIAN CRYSTAL RED CRANBERRY CUT TO CLEAR WINE GOBLET $19.99 Time Remaining: 9h 39m Buy It Now for only: $24.99 |
 BEAUTIFUL 61 2 X 41 4 VINTAGE BOHEMIAN CZECH CUT CRYSTAL BOWL $39.99 Time Remaining: 9h 39m Buy It Now for only: $44.99 |
 BEAUTIFUL CUT CRYSTAL BOWL VINTAGE BOHEMIAN CZECH $34.99 Time Remaining: 9h 39m Buy It Now for only: $39.99 |
 Red crystal diamond cut paperweight display 4 inch $24.99 Time Remaining: 9h 40m Buy It Now for only: $29.99 |
 Vintage Antique Amethyst Purple Cut to Clear Crystal Wine Goblet Glass $75.00 Time Remaining: 9h 54m Buy It Now for only: $75.00 |
 Vintage Antique Ruby Red Cut to Clear Crystal Wine Goblet Glass $75.00 Time Remaining: 9h 57m Buy It Now for only: $75.00 |
 Cut Crystal Blue Fish Shaped Candy Dish $10.00 Time Remaining: 10h 8m Buy It Now for only: $12.00 |
 CAESAR RUBY CASED CUT TO CLEAR CRYSTAL POWDER VANITY JAR $135.00 Time Remaining: 10h 17m Buy It Now for only: $135.00 |
 Antique Moser Bohemian Cut Engraved Crystal Lustres $1,100.00 Time Remaining: 10h 40m Buy It Now for only: $1,100.00 |
 Cescki Crystal Diamond Cut 6 Bud Vase $39.99 Time Remaining: 10h 44m Buy It Now for only: $39.99 |
 Large 23 Bohemian Cut Crystal Lustres lamp c 1930s $850.00 Time Remaining: 11h 21m Buy It Now for only: $850.00 |
 Tiffany Rock Cut Crystal Plate Award $9.95 Time Remaining: 11h 24m |
 Signed Lenox Cut Lead Crystal 10 Large Bowl ARCTIC BLOOM Discontinued 1992 $31.49 Time Remaining: 11h 34m Buy It Now for only: $31.49 |
 CRYSTAL LACE HAND CUT DECANTER BOTTLE + 2 GLASSES $99.00 Time Remaining: 11h 43m |
 CRYSTAL LACE HAND CUT DECANTER BOTTLE + 2 GLASSES $79.00 Time Remaining: 11h 47m |
 CRYSTAL LACE HAND CUT DECANTER BOTTLE + 2 GLASSES $99.00 Time Remaining: 11h 48m |
 BAC 3 SHERRY STEM 4 5 8 BY BACCARAT CUT CRYSTAL $42.50 Time Remaining: 12h 4m Buy It Now for only: $42.50 |
 VERY FINE SET OF 6 ANTIQUE ENGLISH CUT CRYSTAL WINE STEMS GLASSES NO RESERVE $46.00 (8 Bids) Time Remaining: 12h 23m |
 VERY FINE SET OF 6 ANTIQUE ENGLISH CUT CRYSTAL WATER GOBLETS GLASSES NO RESERVE $66.75 (13 Bids) Time Remaining: 12h 33m |
 Lenox Crystal Bowl German Centerpiece 85 diameter Cut Design $44.24 Time Remaining: 12h 37m Buy It Now for only: $44.24 |
 BOHEMIAN 24 Lead Crystal Bowl from Czech Republic Cut Glass FAST Shipping $15.00 Time Remaining: 13h 2m |
 2 Pc Hand Cut Art Glass Lead Crystal 24 PbO Bohemian Czechoslovakia LAMP 145 $74.99 Time Remaining: 13h 14m |
 VINTAGE EDINBURGH CRYSTAL PAPERWEIGHT CUT GLASS THISTLE DESIGN 3 DIA $9.99 Time Remaining: 13h 24m |
 AJKA CASTILLE COBALT BLUE CUT TO CLEAR CRYSTAL WINE GOBLET GLASS $45.00 Time Remaining: 13h 24m Buy It Now for only: $60.00 |
 AJKA CASTILLE RUBY RED CUT TO CLEAR CRYSTAL WINE GOBLET GLASS $45.00 Time Remaining: 13h 25m Buy It Now for only: $55.00 |
 AJKA CASTILLE AMETHYST CUT TO CLEAR CRYSTAL WINE GOBLET GLASS $45.00 Time Remaining: 13h 29m Buy It Now for only: $55.00 |
 Beauty engraved silverplate fittings cut etched grape glass crystal DECANTER $175.00 Time Remaining: 14h 25m Buy It Now for only: $175.00 |
 Violet crystal diamond cut paperweight display 4 inch $24.99 Time Remaining: 14h 40m Buy It Now for only: $29.99 |
 Yellow crystal diamond cut paperweight display 4 inch $24.99 Time Remaining: 14h 44m Buy It Now for only: $29.99 |
 Hand Cut Crystal Jam Pot Made in Poland $49.50 Time Remaining: 14h 54m Buy It Now for only: $49.50 |
 BOHEMIA CRYSTAL DECANTER HIGHLY HAND CUT MINT $19.00 Time Remaining: 15h 9m |
 NEW ITALIAN made CUT CRYSTAL BOWL SILVERPLATE TRIM $14.99 Time Remaining: 15h 27m Buy It Now for only: $16.50 |
 AJKA CASTILLE EMERALD GREEN CUT TO CLEAR CRYSTAL WINE GOBLET GLASS $45.00 Time Remaining: 15h 32m Buy It Now for only: $60.00 |
 EXQUISITELY CUT+ MAGNIFICENT CRYSTAL BRIDES BASKET $24.99 Time Remaining: 16h 10m Buy It Now for only: $24.99 |
 Baccarat Cut Crystal Highball Tumbler Glass NANCY 10 12 oz 55 FREE SHIPPING $89.99 Time Remaining: 16h 23m Buy It Now for only: $109.99 |
 IMPERLUX STAR OF DAVID HAND CUT LEAD CRYSTAL MADE IN POLAND $14.99 Time Remaining: 16h 41m |
 Nachtmann Traube Amber Cut to Clear Crystal Wine Glasses German Decanter $337.97 Time Remaining: 17h 26m Buy It Now for only: $337.97 |
 VINTAGE LEAD CRYSTAL RUBY CUT TO CLEAR FOOTED COVERED CANDY DISH $1.04 (2 Bids) Time Remaining: 17h 27m |
 Bohemian Crystal Cut Small Goblet Glass D $90.99 Time Remaining: 17h 42m Buy It Now for only: $90.99 |
 AMAZING ECHT BLEIKRISTAL LEAD CRYSTAL RED RUBY CUT TO CLEAR LARGE BELL $17.99 Time Remaining: 18h 3m |
 MOSER POPE SIGNED CLASSIC ART DECO CUT CRYSTAL FOOTED WATER GLASS TUMBLER $12.50 (3 Bids) Time Remaining: 18h 3m |
 MOSER SIGNED POPE CLASSIC ART DECO CUT CRYSTAL HOCK PORT WINE GLASSES STEM $17.37 (5 Bids) Time Remaining: 18h 5m |
 Crystal Cut Glass Oakham Butter Cross Paperweight $58.49 Time Remaining: 18h 14m Buy It Now for only: $58.49 |
 Bohemian Crystal Cut Small Goblet Glass C $90.99 Time Remaining: 18h 23m Buy It Now for only: $90.99 |
 Moser Beryl Gema Underlay Cut Glass Crystal Vase NEW $2,400.00 Time Remaining: 18h 26m Buy It Now for only: $2,400.00 |
 Bohemian Crystal Cut Large Goblet Glass D $90.99 Time Remaining: 18h 31m Buy It Now for only: $90.99 |
 Bohemian Crystal Cut Glass Lidded Pot Floral $116.99 Time Remaining: 18h 37m Buy It Now for only: $116.99 |
 Bohemian Crystal Cut Large Goblet Glass C $90.99 Time Remaining: 18h 42m Buy It Now for only: $90.99 |
 Deep Ruby Red Cut to Clear Bohemian Lead Crystal Covered Jars QTY 2 $40.00 Time Remaining: 18h 46m Buy It Now for only: $40.00 |
 HAND CUT BAVARIAN CRYSTAL OVAL PICKLE RELISH UNUSED $14.95 Time Remaining: 18h 55m Buy It Now for only: $14.95 |
 FABERGE CZAR IMPERIAL PERIDOT CASED CUT TO CLEAR CRYSTAL TALL WINE GOBLET $295.00 Time Remaining: 19h 9m Buy It Now for only: $295.00 |
 BEAUTIFUL CUT CRYSTAL BOWL SIGNED KOSTA BEAUTIFUL DESIGN $17.99 Time Remaining: 19h 26m |
 Bohemian Crystal Cut Large Goblet Glass B $90.99 Time Remaining: 19h 27m Buy It Now for only: $90.99 |
 Bohemian Crystal Cut Large Goblet Glass E $90.99 Time Remaining: 19h 52m Buy It Now for only: $90.99 |
 Bohemian Caesar Hand Cut Crystal Bowl Pattern Quality Cased Crystal $59.94 Time Remaining: 19h 54m Buy It Now for only: $59.94 |
 Bohemian Crystal Cut Large Goblet Glass F $90.99 Time Remaining: 20h 13m Buy It Now for only: $90.99 |
 Waterford Crystal Cut Glass Bon Bon Tazza Dish $129.99 Time Remaining: 20h 24m Buy It Now for only: $129.99 |
 Bohemian Czech Emerald Green Cut to Clear Hand Made 24 Lead Crystal Vase $75.00 Time Remaining: 20h 35m Buy It Now for only: $75.00 |
 LARGE FENTON CRYSTAL CUT AQUA OPALECENT COLLECTOR BELL $28.00 Time Remaining: 20h 58m Buy It Now for only: $28.00 |
 Waterford Crystal Signed John Rocha Black Cased Cut Lead Crystal Bowl 10New $275.00 Time Remaining: 21h Buy It Now for only: $275.00 |
 Vintage Elegant Cut Crystal Nappy $19.00 Time Remaining: 21h 37m Buy It Now for only: $20.90 |
 Elegant Hand Cut Bohemian Crystal Bowl $19.99 Time Remaining: 22h 15m |
 BOHEMIA GLASS RUBY RED CRYSTAL CUT TO CLEAR BELL BIRD CASTLE $25.00 Time Remaining: 23h 33m Buy It Now for only: $25.00 |
 EXQUISITE PYRAMID SHAPE FLOWER TRIANGLE DEEP CUT CRYSTAL GLASS PAPERWEIGHTMINT $23.69 Time Remaining: 1d 2h 24m |
 Vintage RED STAINED CUT CRYSTAL DECANTER STOPPER EACH MARKED 96 NO RESERVES $24.99 Time Remaining: 1d 5h 27m Buy It Now for only: $29.99 |
 ruby cut to clear lead crystal vase $275.00 Time Remaining: 1d 5h 47m Buy It Now for only: $275.00 |
 AJKA HUNGARY MARSALA EMERALD CASED CUT TO CLEAR CRYSTAL WHISKEY DOF SCOTCH $65.00 Time Remaining: 1d 6h 40m Buy It Now for only: $65.00 |
 Stunning Vintage Bohemian Czech Royal Cobalt Blue Cut to Clear Crystal Bowl 10 $175.00 Time Remaining: 1d 7h 7m Buy It Now for only: $175.00 |
 BOHEMIAN BAY GRAPE COBALT CASED CUT TO CLEAR CRYSTAL WINE GOBLET $58.00 Time Remaining: 1d 7h 14m Buy It Now for only: $58.00 |
Tags: crystal, crystal cut candy, crystal cut chinet, crystal cut glass, crystal cut glass bowls, crystal cut light bulbs, crystal cut the rope, crystal cuts, crystal cutting, cut, glasses, jewelry, lead, manufacturer, wine