Crystal Carving
Crystal Carving
Find A Waterford Crystal Vase That Fits Your Décor
Whether you’re giving a gift or selecting your personal stemware, nothing compares with Waterford Crystal. There are plenty of imitations, but only Waterford Crystal can claim both a rich history and modern day, superb craftsmanship.
Waterford Crystal dates back to 1782 when two brothers, George and William Penrose, founded a company to manufacture crystal in the seafaring town of Waterford, Ireland. With hard work and a gift for glass, the company grew to employ up to 70 people. The fruit of their labor was a sparkling crystal that became known as the best in its class in Ireland or England.
With some waxing and waning in the business, the Waterford Crystal company was revived in 1947, just after the Second World War. This smaller glass factory was established just over 11 miles from the original factory. The location may have changed, but the company’s commitment to quality remains strong today.
Today, when it’s time for you to set up housekeeping, look for the perfect Waterford Crystal to reflect your style and taste. Vases range from the classic to the contemporary, with plenty of variations on the themes in between.
If your tastes run to the classics, you must consider the Lismore 8-inch footed bowl or the 10-inch diamond-shaped vase. Lismore is Waterford’s most recognized and most popular pattern. It is named for Lismore Castle, once the Irish home of Sir Walter Raleigh. It was designed more than 50 years ago by Mirek Havel, a Czech immigrant who eventually became Waterford’s chief designer. You’ll recognize Lismore when you see its diamonds and wedge cuts in the crystal. The bowl, 8 inches wide by 5 inches high, can find a home on a coffee or accent table, holding flowers, candy or potpourri. The vase, 3 ¾ inches wide by 10 inches high, can stand alone or full of flowers.
Another vase with fascinating lines is the 10-inch Arrington vase trimmed in 14K gold. These vases, signed by Waterford design director Jim O’Leary, feature deep diagonal lines that create the look of waves cresting on the body of the vase. The top flares and the rim is encircled in gold. There is also a smaller, footed version of the same vase. The 8-inch model has the same gold rim.
For something a tad less traditional, consider the 10-inch Garland vase – so named for the image of a vine crawling up an ancient column carved onto the vase. It is smaller at the base and flares dramatically at the top, measuring 7 ¼ inches wide and 10 inches high. It is a perfect size for a bouquet of flowers or to show off a collection of materials from nature, like sea glass or sea shells.
If these vases seem a bit too buttoned-down for your taste, but you still want something elegant from Waterford, consider the 13-inch Crystal Serengeti vase that is part of Waterford’s Evolution line.
This exotic piece of crystal shines in shades of amber, brown and green – colors you might find in an African sunset. It can certainly be used in a contemporary décor and would also be a bright spot in an otherwise traditional setting. Another piece in the Evolution collection is the 12-inch Espresso Swirl vase. This vase takes its inspiration from the oceans, with swirls of blue and rich brown. The hand-blown vase can stand alone, or can be paired with others in the collection.
For a completely different look, consider the 12-inch by 5-inch Black Vase that is part of Waterford’s John Rocha collection. The high-gloss black surface is broken up by a band of sparkling cuts at the top. The result is a dramatic and elegant piece of crystal. The vase certainly reflects the designer. Rocha was born in Hong Kong and later studied fashion design in London. He came to Ireland in search of Irish linen and has lived in Dublin ever since.
As you can see, you can enjoy Waterford Crystal in your home no matter what your décor. If you aren’t exactly sure what your style is, then let your crystal decide for you. Pick out the crystal that appeals to you most – and then build your style around that decision.
No matter what style of crystal you select, be sure to care for it as directed. Do not pour iced liquids or very hot liquids into crystal as it can crack or break. After use, crystal should be hand-washed in warm, soapy water. Be sure to rinse it well and dry it with a lint-free cloth. Avoid putting your crystal in the dishwasher as that can make it turn dull or damage the surface. When drying or storing your crystal, never store it upside down as the rim is the most fragile part. With care, your crystal will serve you long and well.
About the Author
Barbara Delp is a freelance writer who writes about furniture and home décor such as a Waterford crystal vase.
 |
 Unusual high purity natural Yellow Crystal Carve Shakyamuni statue Buddha head  US $16,500.00
|
 09LB Rare NATURAL Gold Hair RUTILE QUARTZ CRYSTAL PIQIU CARVED from China AAA US $13,688.99
|
 Buddha Quartz Crystal Statue Hand Carved Tibet Estate US $5,000.00
|
 1 TON LODE CRYSTAL JADE ROUGH SLAB SAN BENITO CAB CARVE US $5,000.00
|
 Natural Crystal Godess of Mercy Hand Carving US $4,200.00
|
 RARE FINE CARVED AMETHYST CHINESE DRAGON QUARTZ CRYSTAL US $3,880.00
|
 AA Brazil Produced The Perfect Collection Of Quartz Crystal Carved Gem Amethyst US $3,500.00
|
 Realistic Carved Quartz Crystal Skull US $2,502.00
|
 Carved Natural Rock Crystal Laughing Buddha US $2,758.00
|
 Winged ISIS Kunzite 1200 Ct Natural Gem 9 Inch Crystal Carving US $2,129.00
|
 Clear Premium CITRINE Quartz Crystal Dolphin Carving Point Leandro Brazil Art US $2,065.00
|
 Gem Pietersite Crystal Freeform Carving pto15ie101 US $1,760.00
|
 AWESOME GEODE Agate Carved Crystal Eagle Head Labradorite Eyes US $1,589.00
|
 Hand Carved Quartz Crystal Skull US $1,574.00
|
 stunning cleargreen ROCK CRYSTAL QUARTZ carving US $1,500.00
|
 rare golden filiform TITANIUM QUARTZ crystal carving US $1,500.00
|
 Unusual natural Yellow Crystal Carve Kwan yin guan yin Bodhisattva statue Buddha US $1,420.00
|
 RARE CHINESE c1750 QIANLONG EMPERORS CARVED TOURMALINE CRYSTAL FOR ROBE NO RESV US $1,328.00
|
 Exceptional Rutilated Quartz Carved Crystal Dragon US $1,296.00 |
 Pair of Clear Quartz Carved Crystal Dragons US $1,170.00
|
 King Of Quartz Crystal Gemstone Carving Ruyi Buddha US $1,050.00
|
 Emerald Shaman Carving on Emerald Crystal Mountain US $999.00
|
 Gorgeous Gem Opal Carved Crystal Dragon US $999.00
|
 75 Natural Gorgeous Labradorite Chatoyant Crystal Carving Bear US $989.99
|
 Huge Jasper Quartz Crystal Carving Dinosaur Gift US $899.99
|
 Huge 97 Natural Pink Rock Quartz Crystal Skull Head Carving 3R18Healing US $850.00
|
The beauty of Fashionable Swarovski Crystal Jewelry
Jewelry choices are a matter of taste and those with the finest taste choose Swarovski crystal precision cut jewelry. The company behind this fine jewelry has a long and illustrious history. In 1895 Franz Weis and Armand Kosman founded the company using Daniel Swarovski’s family name and his expertise in glass cutting. In 1892 Swarovski patented his invention which was the making of a machine designed for electric glass cutting. They began by carving lead crystals in Wattens, Austria and business flourished due to Daniel Swarovski’s talent at cutting fine glass and lead crystal into fine pieces of fashionable jewelry.
Daniel Swarovski (1862-1956) was born in Bohemia which is currently the Czech Republic. His father was a glass cutter and had his own factory for glass cutting. Daniel learned the art and became skilled at it. The patented electric glass cutting machine led to lead crystal glass production in 1892. He soon found financing assistance from Armand Kosman and Franz Weis and they joined up in business. The business was conducted at Wattens, Austria because locally there was hydroelectricity available that proved useful in the grinding processes it took to run the electronic machine and grind and cut the extraordinarily beautiful lead crystal glass.
The products they company put out over the years include crystal sculptures and miniatures, chandeliers, couture and jewelry, each containing the Swarovski logo. That logo originally was an edelweiss flower (a European mountain flower) but became the initials S.A.L. Then in 1988 a Swan was in favor. Now even the Swan logo is about to be phased out and replaced by the name Swarovski only.
Specially applied metallic chemicals are used to coat some of the crystals, thus allowing them to refract light into a virtual rainbow of colors. Among the more popular coatings applied to this cut glass are Aurora Borealis (AB) and Crystal Transmission. The AB coating provides the surface with a rainbow like oil slick in appearance that reflects many different colors and shades of colors. Some coatings are applied more than once, creating much depth of color.
The Swarovski Group incorporates several smaller companies that provide materials for making their jewelry lines. Tyrolit makes cutting and abrasive tools, while Swareflex manufactures luminous and reflective road markings. Swarovski Optik makes optical instruments like rifle scopes and binoculars, and Signity is a natural and synthetic gemstone company.
There is even an indoor crystal themed park known as Swarovski Kristallwelten or Crystal Worlds where the business originally began in Wattens, Austria. A society that includes many crystal enthusiast on a global scale is the Swarovski Crystal Society. The membership gain the benefit of sneak previews of the latest styles and designs, events, unique offers, and classified news items of interest.
Among the many beautiful offerings from the Swarovski Crystal Jewelry business are crystal ornaments such as Christmas Tree ornaments and figurines, hand bags, accessories, lighting, crystal chandeliers. Some of their more recent additions to their production lines include Bluetooth wireless pieces for the ear, in the ear headphones, and USB memory sticks or keys that each contain
About the Author
Naylas silver jewellery is an online showcase of handmade designer jewellery, including swarovski crystal jewellery, jewellery made from Murano glass and more..