What is the Difference Between Crystal and Glass?
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Defining the difference between crystal and glass is not an exact process. While is it true that all crystal is also glass, only certain types of glass can be properly identified as crystal. However, outside this rather broad statement, there are not any ironclad rules that are universally invoked as part of the process of defining what constitutes crystal. Across the globe, there are different standards that are employed in various countries around the world that determine if the quality and lead content of a particular substance can be properly classified as crystal or if the item should be identified as glass. Even within some countries, the qualities that must be present in order for glass to earn the title of crystal may vary. The lead content of glass is usually a determinant in the classification of finished goods as either crystal or glass. In the European community, glass items that have more than four percent but less than ten percent of lead monoxide usually earn the designa
“The ‘crystal’ that’s used in fine glassware is actually a glass, but it is chemically different from the glass that’s used in more common glassware. Both materials are formed by melting together a mixture of silicon dioxide (also called quartz or silica) and other chemicals and both are glasses, meaning that their atoms are arranged haphazardly and not in the crystalline lattices of such materials as salt or sugar. But the chemicals that are added to silicon dioxide to make normal glassware–sodium oxide and calcium oxide–make the glass easier to melt and work with at the expense of strength. That’s why normal glassware is relatively soft, emitting a dull sound when you rap it because it experiences lots of internal friction. In contrast, the chemicals added to silicon dioxide to make “crystal” glassware include lead oxide, which makes the glass easier to melt but doesn’t weaken the glass nearly so much. Lead “crystal” glassware is relatively hard and emits a ringing tone when you ra
The “crystal” that’s used in fine glassware is actually a glass, but it is chemically different from the glass that’s used in more common glassware. Both materials are formed by melting together a mixture of silicon dioxide (also called quartz or silica) and other chemicals and both are glasses, meaning that their atoms are arranged haphazardly and not in the crystalline lattices of such materials as salt or sugar. The chemicals that are added to silicon dioxide to make normal glassware—sodium oxide and calcium oxide—make the glass easier to melt and work with at the expense of strength and increased damping. That’s why normal glassware is relatively soft and emits a dull sound when you rap it; it experiences lots of internal friction. The chemicals added to silicon dioxide to make “crystal” glassware include lead oxide, which makes the glass easier to melt and soft enough to cut and shape easily. However, lead “crystal” glassware has less internal damping than ordinary glassware and e
