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Waterford Crystal is the brand name of beautiful crystal glassware and other crystal items. Its roots go back to Waterford, Ireland, beginning in the year 1793. Today, Waterford crystal is still produced and the company is a part of WWRD Holdings Ltd. (bought in 2015 by Fiskars Corp.) that also produces products by Wedgwood and Royal Doulton. Waterford crystal remains a very collectible brand and being able to distinguish it is a valuable skill in the crystal business.
Steps
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Research the Waterford marks. Search online for images of authentic Waterford acid stamps. Older stamps feature the name “Waterford” in Gothic-script in either one of two designs. Pieces made since the year 2000 include the seahorse trademark. [1] X Research source -
Clean the crystal. Wash by hand in warm-to-hot water with mild dish soap. Prevent spotting by also washing with a 1/4 cup of ammonia. Use a soft cloth or sponge to avoid scratching, which may occur with scouring pads. Rinse the crystal and allow it to air-dry. If you dry it with a cloth, be sure the cloth is lint-free.- To clean vases or decanters or any other piece that you can't reach inside of, fill them halfway with warm-to-hot water and a few drops of dish soap. Add 2 tablespoons of white vinegar or ammonia. Then add 1 cup of uncooked rice. Swirl the mixture around to clean the inside of the piece. Rinse it out with warm-to-hot water and then set it upside-down to air-dry.
- For tougher stains, fill the piece all the way with warm water. Add a denture-cleaning tablet. Wait for the mixture to remove the residue. Rinse the crystal thoroughly and set it upside-down to air-dry. [2] X Research source
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Hold the crystal up to the light. Use a magnifying glass to search for the acid stamp. Start at the base, where it is most often located. [3] X Research source Search the grooves next if you don't find it on the base.- Be aware that excessive washing, usage, and age may affect the acid stamp's visibility. [4] X Research source If you find none, have the crystal examined by an expert to authenticate it.
Identify inherited crystal pieces through proper cleaning.
"When my grandmother passed away, she left me some beautiful crystal pieces but no information about where they came from. After reading this guide, I carefully cleaned each piece while checking for any stamps or stickers. I was really surprised to find a tiny Waterford mark on one of the vases that must've been overlooked before. Just taking the time to clean these inheritances properly helped unlock their history."
- Dorie S.
Verify yard sale finds with sound, rainbow, and weight tests.
"I love finding crystal bargains at yard sales but rarely see markings saying who made them. This article had great tips for testing glass versus crystal using sound, rainbow effects, and comparing weights. Now, whenever I go treasure hunting, I'll bring along a spoon and a similar-sized glass item to weed out the fakes."
- Peggy Y.
Trace family crystal through generations with cleaning and inspections.
"My heirloom crystal vase from my great-great grandparents has been passed down through four generations now. Unsure of its origins, I followed the cleaning steps here and found a tiny Waterford stamp! This article helped me verify and preserve a beautiful family treasure."
- Merilee T.
Authenticate collected glassware items through expert examinations.
"I enjoy collecting glassware but only recently thought about having my findings evaluated by a pro. Reading here that markings often disappear over time, I realized authentication is so important, especially for more valuable crystal pieces. By properly cleaning them first, I can better prepare them for an expert's review."
- Gail S.
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Look for a paper or foil sticker. If your crystal is older or from a limited run, check for a gold sticker featuring Waterford's green seahorse emblem. [5] X Research source Be aware that stickers may have been removed over time, whether intentionally or not. -
Compare stickers. Search online for images of authentic Waterford stickers to verify that the design matches your own. If possible, visit a retailer or collector in possession of Waterford pieces featuring stickers to compare them in person. If you're in doubt, seek an appraiser to judge your piece's authenticity. -
Be wary of stickers. Remember that a sticker may be transferred from a genuine Waterford to another piece. Although older pieces may not have had one to begin with, check the crystal anyway for an acid stamp for further verification. If there isn't one, have the crystal examined by an expert to confirm that it's a true Waterford. [6] X Research source
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Make sure it isn't glass. If you're unable to find an identifying sticker or acid stamp, check to see if it's made of genuine crystal or just glass. Find a piece of glassware that's about the same size and shape for comparison. -
Hold the piece up to a light. Make sure the piece acts as a prism. Twist it slowly in front of the light source. Look for a rainbow to appear when the light disperses. [7] X Research source Do the same with the glassware and note that it does not produce a rainbow. -
Hold the piece up to your ear. Tap the rim. Listen for a musical chime that's high in pitch. To contrast, do the same with a piece of regular glassware and listen for the dull thud that comes when you tap it. [8] X Research source -
Judge the weight. Hold the glassware in one hand and your crystal in the other. If your piece is truly crystal, it should feel significantly heavier due to its higher lead content. [9] X Research source -
Research the design. If you're satisfied that your piece is truly crystal, have it examined by an expert to confirm whether its design matches one of Waterford's, or research it on your own with a book identifying Waterford's various designs. However, due to the high value of Waterford crystal pieces and the high number of counterfeits out there, [10] X Research source seek out a professional opinion for better peace of mind.
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Community Q&A
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QuestionDoes Waterford ever use just a W to mark glassware?Community AnswerI have a bowl with the seahorse Waterford symbol. It has a W on the bottom. it is a 12" short-footed bowl with fan arches.
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QuestionHow do I know if my lamp is Waterford? There is no sticker or marking.Community AnswerMine have the Waterford etched on towards the bottom. It is very clear.
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QuestionWith Waterford chandeliers, does every piece have the Waterford mark on it?Community AnswerYes, each individual piece should bear the mark.
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Tips
- Many Waterford pieces today are made outside of Ireland.Thanks
- Each piece of crystal in a chandelier or other items should bear the Waterford acid stamp.Thanks
- When seeking authentication of pieces, it's best to bring them to the expert in person. Photographs may not capture acid stamps that are visible to the naked eye.Thanks
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Warnings
- There are many imitation Waterford crystal items. Always look for and find the stamp or foil sticker to authenticate the piece. If in doubt, have a professional appraiser or expert examine the item.Thanks
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Expert Interview
Thanks for reading our article! If you’d like to learn more about identifying crystals, check out our in-depth interview with Douglass Brown .
References
- ↑ https://estatesales.org/thegoods/waterford-crystal-complete-guide
- ↑ https://www.crystalclassics.com/faq.htm#20
- ↑ https://estatesales.org/thegoods/waterford-crystal-complete-guide
- ↑ https://estatesales.org/thegoods/waterford-crystal-complete-guide
- ↑ https://estatesales.org/thegoods/waterford-crystal-complete-guide
- ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c-X6KK4D8GQ
- ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c-X6KK4D8GQ
- ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c-X6KK4D8GQ
- ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c-X6KK4D8GQ
About This Article
Article Summary
X
To identify Waterford crystal, hold the item up the light and use a magnifying glass to locate an acid stamp that says “Waterford." Alternatively, if the item was made after 2000, look for an acid stamp in the shape of a seahorse. You can also look for a gold sticker featuring Waterford’s green seahorse emblem. However, be aware that an inauthentic item may have a sticker that was transferred from a genuine Waterford. In order to verify that your piece is authentic, you should consider having it examined it by an expert. For more advice, including how to identify genuine crystal by its weight and sound, keep reading.
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Reader Success Stories
- "My 2x great grandfather William Malcolm moved to the USA from Manchester, England, and enlisted in the Army during the Civil War. William was captured and held at Andersonville Stockade for 10 months. He returned to England, married Eliza in Lancashire. The crystal vase was a wedding gift. William and Eliza went to USA, taking the vase with them then back to the UK. The vase was handed down to their daughter, then my mum and finally to me. Love to know if Waterford." ..." more
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"My 2x great grandfather William Malcolm moved to the USA from Manchester, England, and enlisted in the Army during the Civil War. William was captured and held at Andersonville Stockade for 10 months. He returned to England, married Eliza in Lancashire. The crystal vase was a wedding gift. William and Eliza went to USA, taking the vase with them then back to the UK. The vase was handed down to their daughter, then my mum and finally to me. Love to know if Waterford."
..."
more
"When my grandmother passed away, she left me some beautiful crystal pieces but no information about where they came from. After reading this guide, I carefully cleaned each piece while checking for any stamps or stickers. I was really surprised to find a tiny Waterford mark on one of the vases that must've been overlooked before. Just taking the time to clean these inheritances properly helped unlock their history."
..."
more
"I enjoy collecting glassware but only recently thought about having my findings evaluated by a pro. Reading here that markings often disappear over time, I realized authentication is so important, especially for more valuable crystal pieces. By properly cleaning them first, I can better prepare them for an expert's review."
..."
more
"I love finding crystal bargains at yard sales but rarely see markings saying who made them. This article had great tips for testing glass versus crystal using sound, rainbow effects, and comparing weights. Now, whenever I go treasure hunting, I'll bring along a spoon and a similar-sized glass item to weed out the fakes."
..."
more
"My heirloom crystal vase from my great-great grandparents has been passed down through four generations now. Unsure of its origins, I followed the cleaning steps here and found a tiny Waterford stamp! This article helped me verify and preserve a beautiful family treasure."
..."
more
