Glass and crystal awards are both made from sand, sodium carbonate, limestone, and other additives. While the two materials have similarities, there are some differences that we are highlighting here.
For starters, the sheets used for glass awards are not as thick as those used for the crystal. Glass crystal award thickness ranges from half an inch to ¾ of an inch. Colors in glass awards come from a colorant or the amount of iron oxide used.
Crystal awards come in two types, optic and lead. Optic crystals are made from high-grade material similar to that used to make optic lenses for microscopes. These crystals do not contain information, making them hard and ideal for cutting and polishing. Optic crystals have a thickness of a half inch to ¾ inch.
Lead crystal is used widely for vases and bowls. The lead oxide in the material gives them sparkle and brilliance with every polishing. This material is also easy to cut, and you can find a variety of vases and bowls created from it. The highest level of lead oxide in the crystal is 24%, and the higher the percentage, the more expensive the crystal is.
