What is the crystal
Crystal is a type of glass containing at least 24% lead oxide or barium. Such supplements provide, in the language of jewelers, "light", as well as increase the plasticity of the material - all this gives the opportunity to expose the crystal cutting and carving. Such procedures allow the crystal, and precious stones, to more fully show their beauty.
The name of the crystal was obtained by analogy with rock crystal, whose name, in turn derived from the Greek word "krystallos", which translates as "ice". Probably the purity and transparency of this mineral inspired the Greeks of the Association with ice. Rhinestone is a kind of colorless quartz.
Creating crystal practiced in ancient Egypt and Mesopotamia at the dawn of glassmaking. However, in its present form crystal was obtained only in 1676 the English master George Ravenscroft.
What is the difference between crystal from glass
Crystal and glass — two materials, which are manufactured according to completely different technologies and from different materials. These two factors determine the existence of difference, including in your price range.
First, the glass and crystal of different conductivity. Glass touch warmer and heats up quickly in the hands, crystal also cools the skin.
Second, the crystal is much stronger. It can be broken, but it is harder to do. When broken the glass shatters into large pieces, crystal breaks into small pieces. On the glass over time, scratches, cracks, tarnishing. Crystal this is not happening.
In addition, if you look at any object through the glass, the image will slightly increase. Crystal will give razdvajanje of the object without magnification.
Finally, the crystal, unlike glass has a distinctive sound. Just wipe it with wet fingers, you can hear a pleasant chime. And when you touch the two crystal products, is heard the rise, long-sounding hum. Glass makes only a thud.
All the above factors make the crystal of expensive collectibles. In the manufacture of crystal products they are always decorated with engraving, carefully polished and used in their decoration of gold foil, etching or frosting.
The crystal can also be colored: red, green, purple, etc. But keep in mind that the market often replace conventional crystal glass, making clever forgery, to distinguish which can only be a specialist.
