Q&A for How to Identify Waterford Crystal

I 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.

Mine have the Waterford etched on towards the bottom. It is very clear.

Yes, each individual piece should bear the mark.

If the handle is crystal, look for the Waterford acid stamp.

Since the seahorse is Waterford's logo, the design may match one of Waterford's. However, if you doubt the piece's quality, have it appraised even if you do find a matching design in a guidebook or Waterford's website.

Each piece of crystal in the chandelier should bear the Waterford mark.

Try contacting Waterford directly. There are also guidebooks available that catalogue Waterford designs.

Look on the bottom or around the base; Waterford usually marks their crystal there if possible.

Check with Waterford directly. Although many of their products are now made in Slovenia, Waterford typically uses a gold-and-green sticker. However, it's possible they also use a silver sticker.

Some stickers simply read "Waterford Crystal." Others may include a "Made in" line underneath that or along the body of the seahorse.

On most of my antique glasses, they are on the very bottom rim. Some are on the inside of the bottom rim, and some are under the bottom rim. A couple of my water glasses show the etching best from the inside of the glass. The writing is very small.

Fakes look almost the same, but are lighter, have no watermark, and don't 'ring' the same (they ring a little, but like glass).

No, because I have a set of genuine Waterford salt and pepper shakers that came to me directly from Ireland through a friend. Her husband came from a town near the factory. They originally had stickers, but I cannot find the name in the glass.

No, it will not diminish the value.

Yes. Every piece of Waterford crystal is etched. It will either say Waterford or have the seahorse logo.