How to Make Crystal?

There are five steps to take jade from a raw stone and turn it into a finished product:


• 1. The Fusing and Melting


• 2. Mould Cut


• 3. Being Emeried and Shaped


• 4. "Shalloma"


• 5. "Gluing"

Row material boiled in stoves at 1000s of degrees until it melts	Casted into moulds and rested to cool	Emeried and shaped by talented craftsmen	"Shalloma"	"Gluing"

1. The Fusing and Melting
Lead Crystal is made from a mixture of sand, potash and lead oxide. During the fusing and melting of the raw ingridients which form lead crystal, gases are evolved and air is trapped. Although virtually all of these bubbles are removed in the refining process small isolated ones sometimes remain and should not be regarded as flaws.

2. Mould Cut
At a ratio of 0,7% there are sometimes mould or tool marks on the surface of some crystal pieces. If slight, these should not be looked upon as imperfections, the marks will not affect the longevity of life of the piece.



3. Being Emeried and Shaped
Machine engraving is used on both hand-made and automatic production pieces. This technique is used to ensure uniformity from piece to piece.

Lead crystal, which is mouth blown in the traditional method, may from time to time have a few minor bubbles contained within the piece. This is generally accepted as a by-product of the traditional process and does not detract from the piece.

On occasion, small, barely perceivable lines may be detected within a piece of crystal. These represent slight variations in the density of the molten crystal, which remain after the crystal has cooled. These lines are called cords and are also considered a by-product of the traditional process.

It should be noted that each piece of true hand cut lead crystal is a unique product of the individual artisan or artisans who have produced it. For example within a set of stemware of the same pattern there may be very slight variations in pattern size and spacing of the elements.

This only serves to embellish the charm and appreciation of such artisanship and is by no means considered a detriment. Absolute product consistency is only achieved by fully mechanized production, not by a craftsperson.

4. "Shalloma"
Some pieces are created by artisans by heating and shaping them under propane light i.e "arms", "legs" or "necks" of some figurines. The number of "Shalloma" artisans are less than a dozen in established countries.

5. "Gluing"
All pieces are put together by a special glue for crystal, quality controlled, boxed and presented to your delight to be with you for many years.



Learn more About Jade:

History of Jade
How Jade Differs
How to Make Jade Jewelry
How to Identify Jade Quality
How to Care For Jade Jewelry