What distinguishes crystal from glass and its variants?

From the point of view of science, a crystal is glass with the addition of lead and potassium. It has a purity and brilliance, the height of these indicators depends on the amount of lead. Purity, and with it the high cost of raw materials increase with the increase of the percentage content of the metal. If the content of lead oxide 16—23 % - raw materials are called “lead crystal”. All kinds of crystal - glass it, but not every kind of glass - crystal. Products With lead content less than 4% is glass.

What distinguishes crystal from glass?

There are certain characteristics that will help figure out of glass or crystal is made subject.

Steps:

1. To take up the subject of the crystal. Gently knock with your finger and listen to the clear melody, to observe subtle vibration. Do the same with regular glass – will appear muffled sound, which is different from the “crystal”, the subject does not produce vibration.

2. View through crystal and glass against sunlight or bright light. The light passing through the glass has no refraction effect and Shine. But what distinguishes crystal from glass? Produces a rainbow effect, with particles of lead oxide.

3. Compare the same size items weight. To raise in the hand crystal and glass. Drawing attention to the weight, it is easy to say which is harder. Oxide of lead in crystal makes it is heavier. That is the difference between crystal glass from ordinary glass.

4. To pay attention to the intricate patterns of crystal products. Glass objects are not cut, they are harder and harder processing. The presence of oxide of lead in crystal softens, it is possible to put into the product the decor of any complexity.

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So what distinguishes crystal from glass.

Crystal glass

This material due to the properties lies halfway between To expensive crystal glass. What distinguishes a crystal from a crystal glass is a high lead content. In the manufacture of glass part of the lead oxide is replaced by oxide of calcium, magnesium, barium or zinc, and some potassium oxide with sodium oxide. Accordance with the standards of Russia, it must contain at least 10% lead oxide, barium or zinc, the European rules allow for 1-15% of these substances. The lead content of this glass gives it a shade of bluish white, luxury bright polished Shine and “ringing" of the crystal. It is softer than regular Glass, but harder than crystal. Intense rubbing and washing does not injure it.

Its beauty and durability is not inferior to the crystal, and the low price has increased the popularity. In Russia such products produced at the plant in the town of Gus-Crystal.

What is different from Bohemian glass crystal?

Products made of Bohemian glass is highly sought after. Fine work and perfect design gives them a special charm. Due to the high content of lead in raw materials, which adds to his transparency, purity and strength, think Bohemian glass crystal. Its production limited to the territory of Bohemia, it is one of the Western regions of the Czech Republic.

Products made of Bohemian glass have a number of distinguishing features.

Ringing. Melodic and deep, slightly metallic – the main sign of authenticity. It lasts for 4 seconds or more, “emerging from the depths and slowly subside”. Along with the sound of the glass is a slight vibration.

To the product ringing, you should place the subject on a flat firm surface and:

• Iron on wet fingers the edge of the product (the method is applicable only for products with thin walls);
• Easy to hit with a wand made of crystal, the walls of the product;
• Gently knock one piece against another.

Cleanliness. Components in the composition of Bohemian glass: oxides of lead and barium, and calcium. They increase transparency, making it clean. Criteria for the evaluation of purity of different transparent and colored products.

Clear glass does not contain:

• Air bubbles;
• Patches;
• Muddy areas;
• Cracks on the surface;
• Mechanical defects.

Check transparency, looking at a brightly lit surface through a glass: they should not fade.

Coloured glass is not completely transparent, but “clean” and has no defects. It's bright and rich without any shades, and a valid divorce and tints of the same colors with the basic tone.

Distinctive features of Bohemian glass

Surface. It is perfectly smooth, without defects such as scratches, cracks, nodules, grain. This applies to products and with a carved pattern or engraving. Line drawing clear, correct, without distortion, cracking, and unevenness. And direct smooth and thin sides are formed in a correct pattern.

The Play of light. Thanks to its high refractive index, the play of light and observed on smooth and carved surfaces. Check the glass under the action of the direct rays of the sun, which, decaying, play rainbow flare, touching the surface. Smooth product flow through the light that “plays” the edges, connecting the legs. Carved – mirror glare hisfaces, and the surface of the “breaks”.

Form and edge products. characteristics of the technology will not allow to create products with intricate shapes. She is always neat and correct, and the variety of design is achieved through decorative techniques. Edge is important in assessing quality, it is always smooth, without notches, ledges, ridges. In spite of the acuteness and subtlety, the edges retain their strength and remain safe.