What’s up with items made of lead crystal, silver crystal, or just “crystal”? Are these items actually the crystalline forms of lead or silver, respectively? Are they “doped” with something to fortify the lattice structure? And, when we speak of “crystal”, such as for a wedding or anniversary gift, is “lead” assumed? Or, are they other types?
(My WAG: From some knowledge of materials, the silver or lead is the “doping” agent, but then, I am not sure into what element’s lattice is actually being “doped” here.)
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“Lead Crystal” is glass with lead oxide added to it. This increases the sparkle of the glass, which is further encanced by faceting with a cutting wheel. It has nothing to do with crystalline lead.
I have never heard of “silver crystal” myself; it is possible that this is a new term for ordinary cut glass (i.e. faceted glass without lead oxide) that was introduced after environmental scares about lead leaching out of crystal containers into some foodstuffs. although the generic “crystal” usually refers to lead crystal, it could also be applied to cut glass (although I suspect that this could be seen as misrepresentation, especially by the lead crystal manufacturers such as Waterford and Baccarat).
You can get further information at http://www.encyclopedia.netnz.com/cutglass.html
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Silver crystal is glass with a silver salt added to enhance sparkling.
There is a company, Swarovski, that makes beautiful figurines out of silver crystal. Here is a link to an eBay auction with a picture of one of their premiere pieces: peacock
Most pieces sell for $50-100.
Sue from El Paso
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