subject: Show Someone Appreciation With A Crystal Award [print this page] A crystal award can be a unique way to show appreciation for a job well done, to mark an achievement, or to extend congratulations on an anniversary. Based on the nature of the event, as well as the personal tastes and preferences of its intended recipient, any one of a number of different styles may be suitable. Whatever the reason, or the taste, there are a wide variety of these breath-taking awards to choose from.
Optic crystal, sometimes called optical crystal, is the type most commonly used in making of awards. Because pressure is used to eliminate bubbles and other flaws during the manufacturing process, instead of lead oxide, optic crystal is completely lead-free. However the manufacturing process that it undergoes results in thick sheets that are not suitable to be used in glassware, vases and bowls. Generally, only solid forms such as plaques, certain types of sculptures and obelisks are made using it. In addition to being 100% lead free, it is known for its hardness and clarity.
By introducing special additives to the manufacturing process, optic crystal can be colored black. In this form, it is often used as the base for a sculpture or figurine.
Starfire is a slightly blue-tinted crystal manufactured in a process similar to that of optic crystal. Some consider Starfire to be a glass, and not a crystal, due to its less perfect clarity.
Jade crystal is a favorite with corporate clientele. It belongs to the same family as Starfire, and is known for its mild greenish tint.
Full lead crystal is the type of crystal used in the making of glassware. The addition of lead oxide during its manufacture removes bubbles and other defects, and gives the crystal is weight and distinctive clear ring when gently tapped with a fork or spoon. It is still blown by teams of skilled glass-blowers, in much the same way that it has been always been. As a result, it has a wider design flexibility than optic crystal does. Awards in the form of bowls, cups, vases and figurines are made from it.
Any lead crystal that contains less than a minimum of twenty-four percent lead oxide, is not considered to be full lead crystal.
Two and three-dimensional images, etched inside of a solid piece of crystal, are another type of award that is becoming increasingly popular. This sort of etching is made by using a laser to create hundreds of thousands of microscopic cracks deep inside the heart of the crystal, forming a remarkably lifelike image. Because there is no way of using a laser to draw continuous lines, each image must be made one tiny crack at a time. Fortunately, with today's laser technology, this can be done fairly quickly. However, the crystal used must be completely free of even the tiniest defects, and its surface must be perfectly flat in order for the laser to accurately hit its target. This makes carving images inside of spheres and other oddly shaped crystal very difficult, though not impossible.
A crystal award is a beautiful way to say "thank you" to someone, and will be appreciated by the person receiving it for many years to come.
