Give me a ‘glass’ of water. Anything breakable, transparent, in which any liquid can be drunk and with sharp edges (once broken) is considered as a ‘glass’. Just to add value to your knowledge, glass is made up of sand ‘yes ordinary sand’ which has silicon dioxide in it. After heating that sand to a level which make it liquid (it is really difficult to melt sand, as it requires extremely high temperature approx. more than 1600 C. We all have heard the term ‘crystal glass’ that’s amazing to hear, because crystal and glass are completely two different things. After discussing some chemical attributes of glass, let’s move towards some details related to ‘Crystal’. Crystal is not only different from glass in pronunciation, but also in make, chemical properties and many more. Concisely, crystal is a type of champagne glasses made up of Silica, Lead oxide, soda and potash along with some other ingredients. In crystal family ‘Bohemia crystal’ is a type which is produced in regions near Bohemia and Silesia, and in these famously known for high quality, hand cuts, design, serious creativity and tremendous dynamics makes it different from normal kind of crystal.
Furthermore, it is produced in Czech as well hand cut, embossed and engraved ranging from champagne flutes to dynamic chandeliers, decorated with amazing ornaments makes Bohemia crystal Czech’s most wanted exports and most famous tourist souvenirs. In most countries meaning of ‘crystal’ means presence of lead, only glass items consists at least 24% of lead can be labeled as lead crystal, product with less lead oxide or contains metal oxides must be labeled as ‘crystalline’ . Certainly, Bohemia which is a part of Czech is known for colorful and beautiful glass.
In old times there was a region settled by Celts, who were deeply in love with glass, crystal and enamel beads, historically blown glass was generated in late B.C where this technical art was found in Lusation Mountains of North Bohemia. Till now Bohemian crystal has been used in presenting in weddings as a gift, used in monastery windows and many more. As we are now technologically advanced and can handle toughest jobs in minutes, initially making great crystal decanter set was a cumbersome process but now, due to industrial revolution the ability to make this precious kind of crystal is now very easy. Czech exports are mainly dependent on Bohemia Crystal in 19th century, it was being exported throughout the world in single color initially and after that in two colors of opaque glass, decorated with complete lively flowers motifs and amazing famous paintings.
Glass is still misunderstood as crystal but after knowing all about bohemia crystal, the difference between crystal and glass is quite evident, it may look the same but the price, make, chemical and physical cuts makes crystal entirely different from all and yes the first priority of all those who knows the value of it.