Waterford crystal

Waterford crystal is known for its beauty and high quality. You love crystal? Then you love Waterford crystal!

Due to the high lead content that gives the crystal that super clear sparkle and ring, the pieces are quite heavy.

Waterford has a long history that goes back to the 1700’s and still flourishes in Ireland to this day.

Surely you have seen the huge sparkling Super Bowl trophy presented on the field after the big game? That’s Waterford!

The company was started in 1783 as the Flint Glass Works.

The royalty of Ireland and England were fascinated by the beauty of the crystal and furnished their castles with many beautiful pieces. As you could imagine, this made Waterford a household name and everyone wanted to own a piece or two.

Today you can find Waterford crystal chandeliers in the Kennedy Center, Westminster Abbey and on tables worldwide.

Jonathan Gatchell purchased the factory in 1799 and kept the doors open until 1851.

In the 1930’s Joseph McGrath and Joseph Griffin bought the Irish Bottle factory and were able to keep the company stable through the Great Depression.

In 1951 on the exact anniversary of the closing of the old Flint Glass Company 100 years earlier, a new Waterford factory opened in Waterford County that remains to this day.

Many Irish immigrants brought the love of Waterford to America. Some of the more popular patterns are Lismore, engraved with a beloved castle, Colleen, Alana and the newer Millenium series.

Most Waterford can be identified by the acid etching on the bottom of each piece (since middle of 1980ies) or the gold and green sticker with the seahorse symbol. Very old pieces were not marked and can only be determined by Waterford experts.