ALT-1 Tips for Buying Crystal Gifts
When you consider buying crystal gifts you need to know if of the one you want to surprise with such wonderful gift really likes crystal. Crystal is expensive and you need to ensure the recipient will receive a well-appreciated gift. Most everyone loves crystal but it is really expensive. You can't expect to find "real crystal gifts" for a few dollars: in this case you can be sure they want you to sell glass in case of crystal.
Here are some tips which may help you if you want to buy crystal gifts:
- Distinguishing crystal from glass
The difference between glass and crystal can be found in the addition of lead oxid. There are different norms for classifying glass as crystal in different countries. In America you can already speak of crystal if there is 1% lead in glass; in Europe 4% is necessary.
The more content of lead is present in your glass the better the quality of your crystal gift. When you are searching for crystal gifts you want to buy "leaded crystal" and this means a content of more than 24% lead in your glass. For example "Swarovski crystal contains at least 30% lead content and is superior in crystal gifts.
The sparkle and brilliance of your crystal gifts reflects the lead content used in your presents. Crystal is also much heavier than usual glass.
- Choose a well known brand
It is sometimes difficult to distinguish glass from crystal and if you don't have the necessary knowledge to see the difference it is preferable to choose a well known brand. You don't want to become in an embarrassing situation where the recipient of your crystal gift will receive a cheap imitation of your crystal gift which was really expensive for you. Fake crystal gifts are sold in many shops and if the recipient of your crystal gift has knowledge of real crystal he will discover immediately you bought glass instead of crystal.
When you buy a well known brand, for example Swarovski, Waterford crystal or some other respectable brands you have certainty about the real quality of your crystal gifts. If you buy crystal of one of these well known brands you always receive a certificate of authenticity.
- Where to buy?
You can buy crystal in many shops, from a jeweler and even on the market. It is recommended to select a shop which is specialized in crystal or a jeweler. Every vendor can tell you they sell you real crystal but it is perfect possible you buy glass instead of crystal if you don't have the necessary knowledge. You can best select a specialized shop or jeweler to make the right choice and avoid buying fake crystal.
- How do you know if it is crystal or ordinary glass?
Crystal makes a pinging sound when you flicker your fingernails against your crystal gift. It is really wonderful to hear this beautiful sound and a vendor of real crystal will always show you the difference in sound between ordinary glass and crystal.
- Other tips
You need always to check the pedigree of the crystal gift you want to buy. In this pedigree you can always check the gemstone of your crystal gift to ensure you bought real crystal. This gemstone information includes a description and a picture of your crystal gift.
It is wise to be careful when the salesman put your crystal gift in a box. Be sure you can see the salesman if he is making the box with your crystal gift. Especially when you are abroad or in a shop which you visit for the first time you need to be alert that the salesman doesn't replace your crystal gift with something else.
There is plenty of choice if you are searching crystal gifts. There are vases, figurines, jewelry, bottles, candle holder and many others. It is important you know if the one you want to surprise with such a wonderful gift will like figurines, jewelry, decoration gifts or something else in crystal.
Your budget is important because crystal gifts can be very expensive. It is maybe the perfect romantic gift for Valentine's Day but you need to ensure your budget allows buying crystal gifts. You can find crystal jewelry for a limited budget but if you don't check before you ask the bill, don't be surprised if your crystal jewelry or diamond will cost more than $25.000.
Crystal gifts are wonderful and it is a real good idea to personalize them. If the one you want to surprise is a collector of figurines, it is maybe a good idea to make your choice in crystal animal figurines or something else he/she likes. Crystal is a valuable gift and almost everyone will appreciate such wonderful gift. Crystal is valuable and is also a good investment.
