How to Identify Real Waterford Crystal
Each piece of Waterford crystal made since 1950 has the company logo stamped on it. The stamp resembles a stencil and appears slightly opaque. On a wine glass, it is found on the bottom. Use a magnifying glass to spot stamps on older pieces since they wear over time.
- Hold an item to the light and use a magnifying glass to find an acid stamp saying “Waterford.” If made after 2000, look for a stamp shaped like a seahorse instead. This seahorse emblem can also appear on gold stickers.
- The first way to tell if Waterford Crystal is real is to look for the Waterford acid mark. Use a magnifying glass to find the small stamp, usually on the stem’s base or in the grooves. Pieces made before 2000 have the Gothic “Waterford” name. Newer pieces have the seahorse trademark. Also inspect the sharp, flawless cuts which set real Waterford apart from fakes. The quality and clarity when held to light should be silvery-white, not yellow or green-tinted like regular glass. Authentic pieces sparkle beautifully with light reflecting off each facet. Real crystal also makes a ringing tone when a wet finger is circled on the rim. Know that while patterns vary, Waterford’s exquisite craftsmanship and design from over 200 years of Irish heritage give its pieces great value. So verifying the pattern’s authenticity with a dealer is key before purchasing. While some Waterford crystal now comes from places like Slovenia, genuine pieces retain the Waterford stamp marking them as the real, high-quality crystal Waterford is cherished for.
Vintage Waterford Markings
- Each Waterford crystal piece made since 1950 has the company logo stamped on it. The stamp looks like a stencil and seems slightly opaque. On a wine glass, find it on the bottom. Older pieces require a magnifying glass to spot stamps since they fade over time.
Waterford Crystal pieces have intricate designs made through complex, labor-intensive processes, so they remain valuable purchases. The larger and more detailed a piece is, the more it costs.
Most Waterford crystal now comes from countries like Slovenia instead of Ireland where the company started. But some pieces are still crafted at the House of Waterford Crystal in Waterford, Ireland.
The Waterford crystal brand retains value for its quality, iconic patterns, Irish origins, and name recognition. Pattern identification is key for determining a piece’s worth because values differ greatly between patterns.
Adding lead oxide softens glass, making it easier to sculpt intricate designs. With 33% lead content, Waterford Crystal is renowned globally for flawless Irish crystal.