• Categorized under Objects | Difference Between Crystal and Glass

Crystal vs Glass

It is very difficult to mention vivid difference between crystal and glass. Fundamentally, it can be declared that crystals fall into the category of glass universally but all glass categories can not be claimed to be crystals. There is the presence of lead quantity in glass that can be attributed to crystals, which vary from place to place and region to region. The main aspect in defining the category of crystal is the lead content of glass. This identification of crystal varies upon the standards of particular places.

The lead substance in a product determines the exact categorization of the particular product and labeled as crystal or glassware. Europe has its own standard of marking and determining the category of the product. Products which contain 4 – 10% of lead monoxide are categorized as glass wares. They have another category introduced to mark the products with better amount of lead content. The materials which have 8 – 10 % of lead content are classified as lead glass. Glass products which contain the lead content 10 – 30% are defined as crystals. When the lead content exceeds the maximum limit of thirty percent they are termed as lead crystals.

The scenario is entirely different in United States, where only one percent of lead content in a product gets the label of crystal ware. Other countries of the world have their own calibration standards in defining crystals but they are surely not as stringent as the Europeans. In general, the lead content of three percent at the lowest level to a maximum of fifteen percent qualifies for labeling as crystals in most other parts of the world.

Crystal and glass are melted to create beautiful crystal and glass wares. Crystal wares are preferred for glasses and are adored by most people.

Therefore, the meaning of glass and crystals are meant to denote difference in their lead content. The Europeans treat anything over ten percent is crystal but the Americans treat anything over one percent as crystal. The presence of lead creates softness in the material which is used by artisans for exquisite cutting and engraving purpose to produce objects of art. The lead makes the glass heavier and naturally light gets diffracted. Further presence of barium in the material provides high quality diffraction of light.

The difference between crystal and glass is crystal clear and can be marked by the naked eye. Crystal chandeliers are examples of creating spectrum of light and sparkle when light falls upon them. The dazzling quality of crystal is easily identifiable by sight.

Summary

1. Crystal contains lead. Glass do not contain lead element.

2. Crystals are basically glass. Glasses are not crystals always.

3. Crystals are heavy materials. Glass is lighter material.

4. Light diffracts through crystals. Light does not diffract through ordinary glass.