Cut Crystal Vases

Just exactly what is 'cut crystal?'

By a unique process, developed centuries ago for the crowned heads of Europe, a second layer of glass is blown inside an already blown decorative vase. Follow that?

Cut crystal production

A master-craftsman blows a classic bowl, or perhaps a flower vase - anything he expects to show off a second color. He then blows a second vase inside the first, a sort of liner. Once cooled, it becomes the duty of a 'cutter,' to replicate whatever intricate design is appropriate - grinding through the first layer into the second. Once polished, an extravagently beautiful piece is produced.

Cuts other than 'cased.'

Anything 'cut' by grinding wheel and polished, is cut crystal. Aside from cased pieces, one-color designs are also faceted, shaped and detailed by cutting. Thus, a prism is, essentially, a piece of cut crystal, just as a diamond is cut and polished for presentation.

Some of our finest pieces are 'cut' into geometric shapes; cylinders and multi-faceted pieces that reflect and refract light, with dazzling results.

Yet, generally, what we mean when we describe a piece as cut crystal, is something from the magical world of case-cutters.

Seeing is believing

Unless you have been fortunate enough to be taken 'behind the scenes,' into the bowels of a fine crystal manufacturer, you can have but a cursory idea of the process. Stationary grinding wheels and cutters balancing the larger pieces on their heads, while guiding a nearly finished piece through the last stages of design - designs committed to memory - there are no guidelines to follow.

Seldom, very seldom, yet occasionall, a piece will waver from the exacting design quality that s the hallmark of Czech craftsmen. Then, even though 90% complete, even though the mistake may not be visible to the buyer - the piece is smashed. Every glass producer has a small, but obvious, smash-pile.

It's a constant reminder to everyone in the process, that perfect is just good enough.

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