How Hand-Blown Crystal Glassware is Made and Where to Find It

We don’t always put much thought into what brand of small kitchen appliances we’re buying …we just look for a good ‘deal’. Then, after it only works for six weeks, we throw it out and start over. WHAT A WASTE OF MONEY!

My collection began when my grandmother gave me different pieces of crystal glassware she had found over the years at auctions out in the farm areas of middle Michigan.  She taught me what she knew about brands, types, manufacturing methods, etc. When a few books became many—leading to a library of styles and history of what is now antique crystal glassware—her knowledge grew.  While growing up and shadowing her interest, naturally my knowledge grew as well.  Among the pieces she left to me (because she knew I’d always loved them) were a black amethyst centerpiece bowl and candle holders, rose bowls and candy dishes.

Now many of you may be wondering, “What in the world is a black amethyst centerpiece?”  Among custom glassware the black amethyst is a glassware that looks deep purple when held to the light.  Beautiful stuff primarily made in the late 1800’s and early 1900’s.  My pieces are a 14” square bowl with squared edges and two matching candle holders.  They sit in the middle of my dining room table with purple crystallized grapes in the bowl.

When I was a child, my mother gave me the chore of washing our ‘good’ glassware which was stored in a china cabinet and never used!    I still have the deep yellow depression glass champagne bowls.  I cherish them.

Later on, when I had my own home, I proudly displayed this fine crystal ware left to me by my mother and grandmother, and slowly started collecting pieces of my own.  By the way, I USE my crystal glassware. Over the years, I found beautiful pieces at garage sales, antique and collectible stores.  This was way before people started realizing the value of finely made crystal ware.

In the last few years and with the great outlet of information available on the internet about glassware, I have set about identifying my collection by trademark.  What fun THAT was! It’s amazing what you don’t realize you have stuck away in your cupboard because of sentimental value.  I identified many pieces, and then I researched their value, too.

Now, my daughter and granddaughters are putting ‘dibs’ on the pieces they love.  It pleases me very much to know they will also cherish our family history of crystal ware.