Lowry Mell

Photographing crystal and crystal figurines is a real challenge for the collector. There are so many factors that go into taking a good photo and so many things that can go wrong. Here are a few of the most common problems that you'll run into and how to avoid them.

Crystal is a relatively old product. Throughout its history it acquired an elevated set of traits that eventually evolved into symbols.

What does the choice of a favorite crystal animal figurine tell you about yourself? You might be surprised at what you discover.

Kowing a few facts about lead crystal can save you money and avoid purchasing the wrong crystal at the wrong price.

A simple gesture from one family member to another resulted in a domino effect that crossed three generations. Long forgotten memories suddenly became part of the family history.

Sometimes a small gesture from one member of a family can have a lasting impact over several generations. Families develop patterns in their lives and establish family traditions. The strength of the traditions determines how far down the lineage the traditions will be passed on.

Your special someone will get very tired of receiving the traditional Valentine's gifts year after year. Do something different. Think outside the box. Give a special crystal figurine and break the cycle of boring gifts.

We love our house pets, but sometimes they can put a piece of crystal in harms way just doing what they do naturally. My cat’s curiosity and normal behaviors put a treasured figurine on the brink of disaster.

The symbolism of a crystal butterfly gift will not go unnoticed. It will always be evident to the receiver and meaningful in that person’s life. The combined symbolism of crystal and butterfly can be very powerful.

You might think that using crystal animal figurines while reading fairy tales to your child would make any difference in the story telling. But the opposite is true. Children quickly make the connection between the crystal animal and the animals or characters in the story. This increases their interest and memory of the fairy tale and builds a strong bond between the two.