Waterford

As you walk  by the Waterford Crystal showroom in Waterford, Ireland, there is a massive two-story-tall poster of a beautiful model holding an exquisite crystal glass...and you almost wonder if common folk are allowed inside. 

If you do venture in, the place is dripping with crystals, all reflecting prisms of light, and it really, really makes you wish you had a limitless credit card.

This blog post is ALLLL about the pictures.  I always
complain that Waterford crystal is so expensive, but when you see the process it goes through and the skill required to create a piece, you have a whole new appreciation for it.

 A Master Craftsman in the Waterford company must do a 5 year apprenticeship, followed by a three year term to master the art.  For the final exam, they must create a replica of the crystal bowl pictured on the left with immaculate precision.  If they fail, they can abandon the job, with Waterford anyway, or they can begin the 5 year apprenticeship over again.  No pressure though.

 

The Master Cutters know 150 crystal cut patterns by heart.

The Waterford Crystal Factory opened in Waterford, Ireland in 1780.  In the mid 1800s, a very high "luxury tax" was introduced, and the company could not cope.  The factory closed and remained boarded up for almost 100 years, until a Czech immigrant, Charles Bacik, came along and re-opened
it.

Waterford is now owned by an American company, WWRD Holdings Ltd. along with Wedgwood, Royal Doulton, and other brands.