Introduction

Pick up a glass sculpture and hold it to the light. What you see when the light catches the glass can be extraordinary and even magical. However, do you know if the sculpture is glass or crystal? If you are not an avid collector of one or the other, you may not be aware of the differences, and yes, there are many. Knowing what they are will help you decide which to choose to decorate your space and allow you to appreciate their unique qualities.   

Sound

The simplest way to distinguish between a crystal and a glass sculpture is by the sound made when you lightly hit it with a metal object, such as a knife. Glass produces a dull sound, while crystal “rings”, meaning it creates a higher-pitched sound. 

Color and Clarity

Crystal is clearer than glass and can seem more colorful. Because crystal contains lead, it is more refractive than glass and so it sparkles. You might even see rainbows when you hold a piece of crystal to the light. Examples of colored crystals include turquoise and amethyst. 

However, some gems, such as emerald and sapphire, are transparent when cut, which adds clarity. Glass lacks the sparkle of crystal and so is often used for practical purposes rather than decorative. However, this is not always the case, as many sculptures are made from glass, particularly in Murano and the US.  

Weight

A glass sculpture is lighter than a crystal sculpture. This is because crystal contains lead oxide, and this makes it heavier. 

Durability

Crystal is harder than glass. Glass is 5 – 5.5 on the hardness scale, while crystal is 7 –  7.5. This means that it can last longer because it is more difficult to break. Examples of durable crystals include garnet and aquamarine.    

Cold or Warm?

A glass sculpture can retain heat from the environment it is in, which means that it can feel warm. Crystal doesn’t, so it feels much cooler.

Refraction

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Because crystal glass has a higher refractive index and sparkles more, it is sought after for decorative items like chandeliers, as well as upmarket glassware. Glass, on the other hand, allows light to pass through it without much distortion, so it is perfect for mirrors, windows, and everyday glassware. However, as I have said, you can purchase many beautiful glass sculptures. 

What Is Glass Made Of?

Glass is made from silica, which usually comes from sand. Other materials such as metal oxides, calcium oxide, and sodium carbonate, can be added to increase durability and change the color.

Glass is brittle, which means that it can break quite easily, although it is resistant to environmental factors such as water and UV light. 

What Is Crystal Made Of?


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Crystal is actually also a kind of glass, but the principal difference between glass and crystal objects is the use of lead in crystal craftsmanship. Thus, crystal is officially called “lead glass”. It is also made from silica, but it has lead oxide (or, in present day, barium or zinc oxides which are less toxic to glass-makers), which replace calcium oxide used in unleaded glass. You can expect there to be 20 – 40% lead oxide in crystal glass, which makes it heavier than regular glass, clearer, and gives it the ability to refract light. 

Because of the addition of lead oxide, crystal glass can be worked at a lower temperature than regular soda glass and its refraction index is higher. The lower temperature allows the glassmaker to create more elaborate designs and the high refraction index means that the crystal is sparkly, unlike glass. Similar to soda glass, to make the crystal more durable and to stop it from becoming brittle, lime is added. Metal oxides change color; for example, cobalt oxide gives a rich blue, while manganese oxide gives purple. 

How Is Glass Made?

Glassblowing

The materials are heated to a temperature of around 2,000°F (1,093°C) to make molten glass. The artisan then dips a blowpipe into it and blows air into it, creating a bubble. The blown glass sculpture is then shaped using tools such as blocks, tweezers, marvels, and jacks. If the glass starts cooling down, it is put in another furnace to warm it up enough for it to be shaped. Finally, it is cooled in a third furnace slowly so that it doesn’t break. 

Glass Casting

When it comes to glass casting, the molten glass is poured into a mold designed by the artisan. The mold is then put into a kiln, where it cools down to the shape of the mold. 

Fusing

Fusing is another method used to produce glass sculptures. It was the main technique until the blowpipe took over. However, it is still used. Pieces of glass are joined together in a kiln at a high temperature. The temperature is set between 1,297°F (700°C) and 1,510°F (820°C). Fusing generally involves stacking thin sheets of glass, often in differing colors, and so creating patterns. 

Cold Working

Cold working takes place after the glass has been formed and involves techniques such as sandblasting, cutting, grinding, and polishing with diamond blades. If the artist wants a matte finish, she will etch the piece with acid. The glass sculpture can also be engraved using diamond wheels. 

Lampworking

Lampworking method means using a torch or lamp to melt the glass and create the sculpture. It is now also known as flameworking, as modern glass objects aren’t created with the use of oil-fueled lamps anymore. Once the glass is heated to a molten state, the glass sculpture is formed by either blowing or shaping with tools.

How Is Crystal Made?

Glassblowing

Crystal sculptures can be created by blowing the glass in the same way as glass sculptures. 

Pressing and Casting

Another method for creating crystal objects is pouring the molten glass into molds or pressing it into shapes. This creates intricate and detailed designs for decorative figurines. 

Cutting

Diamond-tipped tools and grinding wheels are used to engrave patterns onto the crystal. This adds intricate elements to the crystal and enhances its luminosity.

The crystal sculptures are then polished and buffed, allowing the glass to reflect light. 

What Is Made From Glass?

Glass is used to make both utilitarian objects, such as windows, mirrors, and tableware, and decorative objects. Modern glass sculptures can be small figurines or larger pieces. In Murano, Italy, stunning figurines are created, which are ideal as collector’s pieces. 

What Is Made From Crystal?

Because crystal has superior clarity compared to glass, it is often used to make fine glassware. Its luxurious appearance makes it an ideal choice for modern sculptures, including figurines and vases. It is also used to make jewelry. 

Famous Glass Masters and Companies

Barovier & Toso

Barovier & Toso is an Italian company based in Murano and is one of the oldest family businesses in the world. It was founded in 1295 as Barovier.  In 1936, it merged with Ferro Toso, and in 1942, its name was changed to Barovier & Toso. In the 1940s and 1950s, the company won awards for works using the murrine technique. This technique involves layering colored liquid glass that has been heated to around 1,700°F (927°C). The glass is then rolled into rods (or canes), and when cool, the canes are sliced in cross sections to reveal a pattern.

Salviati

The company, Salviati, was formed in 1859 in Murano. The founder, Antonio Salviati, combined the creation of enamels and mosaics with that of blown glass. He used the aventurine and lattimi techniques and produced glass with beautiful floral patterns. Its modern glass sculptures are a combination of tradition and innovation.

Harvey Littleton

Harvey Littleton, born in Corning, New York, was the founder of the American Studio Glass Movement, formed in 1962. He discovered how to melt glass at a lower temperature so that a glass object could be handmade in a studio setting rather than in a factory. He has produced amazing sculptures, some associated with nature, while others have geometric patterns.

Dale Chihuly

Dale Chihuly trained with Harvey Littleton in the US and was then awarded a Fulbright Fellowship in Venice. He is well known for his large glass sculptures, which he creates using gravity and centrifugal force. He created many large installations, including “Chandelier”, which is in the Victoria and Albert Museum in London. It is 8.23 meters (27 feet) long and is made of 1,300 pieces of fused glass.  

Lino Tagliapietra

Tagliapietra is one of the most famous glassmakers of modern times. Born in Murano in 1934, he has been creating glass pieces for over 70 years. He is credited with introducing handmade glass to the US.

Tagliapietra has combined the vivid colors of Murano glass with the clean lines that are favored today. 

Famous Crystal Masters and Companies

Baccarat

Baccarat is a French producer of fine crystal, based in Baccarat, Meurthe-et-Moselle. It was founded in 1764 as a glassworks factory, but in 1816, it started producing crystal. It received its first royal commission in 1823 from King Louis XVIII, followed by commissions from other royal families and heads of state. By the mid-19th century, it had gained a reputation for producing high-quality crystal.

Daum

Daum was founded in 1878 in Nancy, France. It is the only producer in the world that creates sculptures from Pate de Cristal, a paste made from crystal. It has a 30% lead content and gives the crystal a striking, translucent effect.

Lalique

Lalique is a French company that was founded in 1888. It produces superior crystal products, including crystal sculptures, with either Art Nouveau or Art Deco styles. The manufacturing process is complicated, with up to 40 steps performed by specialist artisans. 

Swarovski

Swarovski was founded in 1895 by Daniel Swarovski in Wattens, Austria. It produces crystal glass figurines, as well as jewelry and accessories.  Daniel invented an electric cutting machine that produced precise crystals, transforming the industry.

Swarovski has developed exciting and new techniques, such as the Aurora Borealis, which gives crystal pieces an iridescent shimmer. 

Conclusion

While both technically made of glass, what we call glass sculptures and crystal sculptures are very different in style and design, and they work for different home decor styles. You can differentiate between the two easily but looking for characteristic crystal sparkle, checking the weight, and comparing the design. It is the lead in the crystal that makes the sculptures clearer, easier to cut, and gives out that lovely ringing sound when you tap the piece.