| The crystal manufactured at Ajka Crystal is said to be unique and of exceptional quality. The fine crystal produced in Ajka is mainly purchased by large crystal wholesalers worldwide who are very careful at selecting their suppliers. The fine crystals are then offered in retail under their own label. If these crystal brands select Ajka Crystal as their manufacturer you can be sure that we offer finest quality. |
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What makes fine crystal so precious? |
| If you touch a fine crystal stem manufactured in Ajka you will feel its silky smooth surface. Fine crystal will feel heavy if lifted, it weighs almost twice as much as convetional soda-lime glass. The crystal goblets offered by CrystALaCarte usually weigh around 360 gramms. |
| Fine crystal must have a perfect translucence, a brilliant luster and flawless clarity. Even the uneducated eye will recognize the fragility of these beautiful pieces. |
| When tapped, fine crystal will have a beautiful ring. These distinguished characteristics of fine crystal make it different from simple conventional glass. |
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Substance |
| Quality is determined by the content of glass as well. To reach the unique clarity and translucency and fine edge usually lead oxide is added to the sand, ash and limestone. Depending on the lead oxide content of glass we differentiate three standards of lead content: |
| - 12% lead crystal (usually referred to as crystalline, very popular in Italy) |
| - 24% lead crystal (most popular type of crystal) |
| - 30% lead crystal (popular in the UK - easy to scratch because due to the high lead content this type of fine crystal is rather soft, has a dark shade) |
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Manufacturing |
| Fine crytal is in most of the cases manufactured by hand, although production is also possible with machines. Usually finest quality especially when manufactuirng cased or colored crystal is reached when the crystal is mouth blown and handcut. |
| Glass is molten at a temperature of 1420 C and a liquid lava like substance is formed. Before the glass hardens the glassblowers pull out a certain amount of material with an iron pipe and blow air in the glass. To reach the desired form the iron pipe is twisted and turned continuosly and the glowing material cools down in contact with the air inside. With the help of some necessary utensils like a wooden paddle, special scissors , calipers and tongs the glass is formed and measured by the professional craftsmen. |
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It takes about a day for the glass to cool down and then the master cutters at Ajka Crystal enhance the beauty of the fine crystal by making incisions on the surface of the glass. The cutting work will lend a glittering sparkle to these pieces of fine crystal. Enourmous amount of patience and skills are demanded to produce perfect pieces. |
| The result of the polishing phase is further sparkle and transparency of the crystal. The next production phases to follow are engraving (performed with a copperwheel) and etching (done with acids). |
| To be sure that only pieces of highest quality are leaving the factory, he crystals are being scrupulously examined in several stages of the production phase. |
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Perfection of work |
| In order to be able to create fine crystal items of such a unique beauty a long tradition of craftsmanship is needed. In case a fine crystal piece does not reach the standard of excellence that is expected it will be broken and molten to be reborn again in the hands of our experts. |
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| An elegant and unique collection of fine crystal will enhance the visual treat of your table no matter whether the setting is formal or casual. It is actually the vast amount of craftsmanship and precision work invested that makes fine crystal so precious and distinguished. |
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| Read more about wine glass types » |
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