| GLASS |
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The process of glassmaking has remained essentially the same
since ancient times. Most glass is a mixture of silica, obtained
from beds of fine sand or from pulverized sandstone, an alkali
to lower the melting point, usually a form of soda or potash for
finer glass, lime as a stabilizer and cullet (waste glass to assist in
melting the mixture).
The materials are fused at high temperatures in seasoned kilns,
boiled down, skimmed, and cooled several hundreds of degrees.
The molten glass is ladeled or poured into molds and pressed
or blown (sometimes into molds). The shaped glass is annealed
to relieve stresses caused by manipulation, then is slowly cooled. |
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| NON-LEAD
CRYSTAL |
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| Non-lead crystal is glass with a high content of potash, yielding
weight, clarity and sparkle without adding lead content. |
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| FULL
LEAD CRYSTAL |
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| The addition of lead to the glassmaking process yields a product
with increased luster, clarity and weight. It is also a slightly softer
material than glass, which lends itself well to hand cutting and
polishing. Leaded crystal varies in lead compostion, but to be
considered full lead crystal, the lead content must be 24%
or higher. The higher the lead content, the more sparkle is
achieved, but more skill is required to form a shape at the
blowing stage. |
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| OPTICAL
CRYSTAL |
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| Optical crystal is among the finest of all crystals available. With
no lead content, it is clarified to a 100% optically clear state by
the addition of barium, which results in a perfectly flawless clear
glass that shines brightly under any light source. Optical crystal
is manufactured in large thick sheets, and while still molten, is
subjected to tremendous pressure to insure no bubbles, flow
lines or other distortion. Optical crystal is 100% lead free and
extremely hard. |
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| STARFIRE
CRYSTAL |
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| Starfire
crystal is a lead-free, low iron product that presents
high clarity resembling that of optical crystal,
but at lower cost. Highly polished, this material
produces a bright white sparkle and is therefore
sometimes referred to as “white glass”. |
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| JADE
CRYSTAL |
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| Jade
glass is unique in its light green pigmentation,
caused by the content of iron ore. The resulting
material, when beveled and polished, provides the
most economical solution for recognition awards. |
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| CARE
INTRUCTIONS |
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| Due
to the delicate nature of glass and crystal, hand
washing is recommended. Dry with a lint-free cloth
to prevent scratching. To avoid breakage, do not
expose glass or crystal to extreme temperatures or
to abrupt temperature changes. |
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