Glass & Crystal Items | Home & Garden Classifieds

Glass has been used for centuries as decoration in the home. Many ancient cultures used glass items as part of their daily routine. For example, the later generations of ancient Egyptians are known to have used glass bowls for scented water and fragranced oils which believed to keep evil spirits away. Today people still use such items, although their purpose is now to fragrance the home.

Crystal is a much more recent addition to home dcor however it is still growing in popularity. A number of manufacturers, such as Swarovski, have successfully used crystal to make thousands of different miniatures and you would be hard pushed not to find your favourite animal, bird or flower among them!

Glass items in the home
Everywhere you look you see glass today and more and more companies are using the medium in their products. With regards to the home you might own wine glasses or tumblers, photo frames, ornaments, display cabinets, bowls, serving dishes and a whole range of other items. Most glass products are reasonably priced when new although unique items that are hand blown or made from recycled ancient glass for example can be more expensive.

One advantage of glass that is relatively recent is the addition of coloured compounds. This means that many of the items mentioned above can now be bought in a wide variety of colours, one of which is sure to complement your home. Another advancement is that some glass products are now made from shatterproof glass so that even if they get broken they don't end up in a million pieces all over the floor.

Buying glass items
Whether you are buying new items or second hand items it is important to check for scratches, chips and any other obvious damage. Glass is relatively hard to scratch so even second hand pieces should be in good condition. Drinking glasses can lose their lustre and shine if they have been washed regularly, especially when washed in a dishwasher so this should be checked as well.

Crystal items in the home
When lead oxide is added to molten glass it produces lead crystal. This simple addition gives the glass a much more impressive sparkle and it makes it easier to cut. Lead crystal can therefore be highly faceted which makes the sparkle even more brilliant and today many manufacturers are producing items made from lead crystal that are perfect gift ideas.

The higher the content of lead the more difficult the crystal is to cut and facet perfectly because the glass is softer than normal. This means that 33% lead crystal will take longer to facet than 24% lead crystal and will thus be more expensive when bought new. Buying second hand lead crystal may mean that you can afford higher quality items for the same price as slightly lower quality items if bought brand new.

Today, manufacturers such as Swarovski produce an impressive range of crystal items for the home including crystal wine glasses, decanters, tumblers, vases, candy dishes, candle holders, bowls, sculptures and ornaments, picture frames and even chandeliers! Their range of miniature sculptures alone numbers over 50 -- and this is just one company! Lead crystal is quickly becoming one of the most popular materials for sculptures and ornaments and, because it looks expensive, it makes an ideal gift for most occasions. As with glass, crystal can be coloured which means that flower and animal miniatures can be bought in your favourite colours.

Because of its softness, lead crystal can also be etched. This means that a lot more detail can be added to pieces to really give them a special look. Plus you can easily get a gift inscribed with whatever you want to say to the recipient.

Buying crystal items
Crystal items can be quite expensive when bought brand new, especially if they have a high lead content or are quite intricate designs. You will however be guaranteed a perfect piece of crystal for your money. Another option is to buy crystal second hand. Buying this way means you will probably get more for your money. However because crystal is slightly softer than glass it is quite prone to scratches. You need to check wine glasses and other drinking glasses carefully before buying as the simple act of washing them can scratch them if the wrong cloths and detergents are used.

If you are thinking of buying ornaments, vases, picture frames or any other small items then you should check for obvious damage which includes tiny chips, cracks and scratches. Plus you should make sure that any marks can be cleaned off.

Conclusion
Glass and crystal items look lovely wherever they are in the home, especially if they are in perfect condition and sparkle as they are meant to. It is worth thinking about buying such items second hand as you can often get quality pieces for a fraction of their original price, simply because the current owner has moved onto something new. Small crystal items also make brilliant gifts and with the huge range of miniatures now available you are sure to find something for even the most difficult-to-buy-for people.