Crystal is softer and more luminous than ordinary glass. The price of that sparkle is a little extra care — with the right habits, your crystal glasses and stemware will keep their first-day clarity for decades.
The dishwasher: short answer, we advise against it
High heat, harsh detergents and vibration slowly build micro-scratches and a cloudy haze on crystal. The risk is even higher for hand-cut and hand-blown pieces. We recommend always washing crystal by hand.
Lukewarm water and a few drops of mild dish soap are enough. Very hot water creates sudden temperature differences that can crack crystal; never move it abruptly from hot to cold water or vice versa.
Spot-free drying
Crystal's greatest enemy is the limescale spotting left by air-drying. Dry immediately after washing with a lint-free microfiber or cotton cloth. Hold stemware by the bowl while drying; never twist between foot and bowl — that joint is where most breakage happens.
Restoring the shine
Revive a clouded glass by soaking it a few minutes in one part white vinegar to three parts lukewarm water, then buffing dry with a soft cloth. For stubborn limescale, add a teaspoon of baking soda to the mix.
Storage
Do not store stemware upside down on its rim — the rim is crystal's most delicate area and inverted storage puts all the weight on it. Store upright, with space between pieces, away from direct sunlight.
Browse our hand-cut crystal collection in the glasses and stemware category, and reach out any time with questions.
What separates crystal from ordinary glass?
Minerals added to the glass melt give crystal a higher refractive index: it bends light more strongly, producing that famous sparkle and the satisfying weight in the hand. The same chemistry makes the surface softer, allowing hand-cutting and engraving — which is why cut patterns live on crystal, not ordinary glass.
A practical test: tap a crystal goblet gently and you hear a long, ringing chime; glass answers short and dull. Hold crystal to the light and tiny rainbow refractions appear along its cut edges.
Is modern crystal safe?
Most of today's table crystal is lead-free crystalline glass: its brilliance comes from mineral additives and it is entirely safe for daily use. The pieces in our collection are made to these modern standards.
If you own antique lead-crystal pieces, they too are fine for serving — simply avoid storing acidic drinks (lemonade, vinegar-based dressings) in them for days at a time. Brief service is not a concern.
Frequently Asked Questions
My crystal glass went through the dishwasher once — now what?
A single cycle rarely causes permanent damage. Hand-wash it in vinegar water, buff dry with microfiber, and switch to hand-washing from here on. Permanent clouding is the result of repeated machine cycles.
Can cloudiness on crystal be reversed?
Limescale haze lifts with a vinegar soak. Etching from machine washing or abrasive sponges, however, is damage to the glass itself and cannot be reversed at home — which is why preventive care matters so much.
Can I use my dishwasher's 'glassware programme'?
Glass programmes lower the temperature but the detergent chemistry and vibration remain. For treasured crystal the only zero-risk route is hand-washing; save machine programmes for everyday glasses.