If you are planning for a family dinner in a sophisticated place, you may find yourself surrounded by luxurious crystals as crystals are not normally used for regular uses. Some of us get confused about the crystals and glasses thinking both of them are the same but there are several dissimilarities. This article represents the difference between glass and crystals.
What is Glass?
It is transparent component made from limestones, sand and soda ash. Other materials like Barium and Silica are also used to change its color or thickness.
Our dining table will be incomplete without glasses. Various kind of food storage containers are produced from it. It is also used for making windows, camera lenses and lab equipment’s.
What is Crystal?
Crystal is a kind of glass but the difference is it also contains lead oxide, potassium carbonate and silica. These components make it more durable so that it can be molded into different shapes.
These also make the crystal porous. Because of this, it can reflect the light brilliantly. Different types of companies produced crystals with varying levels of lead oxide.
Crystal doesn’t have crystalline structure in its components. “Cristallo”, an Italian term which is generally used for high end hand blown glass in Italy is the origin of the name “Crystal”.
Difference between Glass and Crystal
Both are produced in the same way, By heating in a fireplace until they molten. Then glassblower is used to blow and shape them into desired designs.
Though there are similarities in the making procedure of both of them, still there are so many differences between glass and crystal. In this article we are going to discuss all of them.
Difference in the appearance
Glass: Glass is generally a bit of foggy in appearance. t can have a green tint, if it is produced with iron or blue tint.
Crystal: Crystal is usually known for its incredible clarity. Because of this character, it is used mostly for high-end glassware and decorations.
Difference in the weight
Glass: Glass is comparatively lighter in weight than crystal as it doesn’t contain lead or other materials.
Crystal: Crystal is heavier in weight than glass as it contains lead or other materials in its composition.
Difference in thickness
Glass: Glass can be heated at higher temperatures than crystal as it contains soda-lime in its chemical composition. That’s why glass is thicker than crystals. In characteristics, it is also more fragile than crystal.
Crystal: It can be heated at lower temperatures than glass as it contains lead oxide and potassium carbonate in its composition.
It is also thinner in shape than glass. Other chemicals which are added into it, enable it to remain strong if it is in a stretched condition.
- Related: Difference Between Pillar and Column (With Table).
Difference in cut
Glass: Generally you will get little time to cut a glass as it hardens quickly. Temperature is needed to be increased and in that increased temperature glass is bent into shape or blown into a mold.
Crystal: Crystal is more malleable than glass in nature. As other materials are added to crystal, it is soft enough to add hand-cut details.
Differences in sound
Glass: When glass is tapped, it creates a dull chime and the sound is subtle.
Crystal: In case of crystal, it creates a bell-like ringing sound and the sound is usually longer than the sound created by tapping of glass.
Differences in refraction
Glass: Light can pass through glasses without any type of refraction. The reason behind this is glass has no extra added materials.
Crystal: Crystals can refract light more than glass because of the added lead oxide and metal content like potassium carbonate.
Uses
Glass: Glass is mostly used for food storage containers and dishwashers. Our dining table remains incomplete without glass. It is generally used for our daily usage. Glass is also used for making lab equipment.
Crystal: From the above writeup, we got to know that crystal can refract light. This characteristic of crystal makes it a suitable material for making luxurious dinner sets, bowls, ornaments, chandeliers etc. It is also known for its ringing noise which we have talked about earlier. Because of this characteristic, it is used at weddings.
Related: Difference between homozygous and heterozygous [With Table].
Conclusion
So, in this whole writeup, we have discussed all the similarities and differences between glass and crystal. Next time, don’t mess it up!
The FAQs about Glass vs Crystals
Why is crystal better than glass?
Crystal is more durable and thinner than glass. That’s why it is used for producing elegant dinner sets or wine glasses. So, crystal is better than glass.
Is Glass considered a crystal?
No, generally all crystals are glasses but all glasses are not crystals. Crystal is a subcategory of glass which is more accomplished than normal glasses.
What is crystal glass used for?
Crystal glass is used for making luxurious dinner sets, bowls, wine glasses, ornaments, chandeliers etc.
What is the most expensive crystal glassware?
The most expensive crystal glassware is $400,000 Champagne Glasses.
Why is crystal glass so expensive?
As lead is used as a component of crystal, that’s why it becomes so expensive than normal glass.
How can you tell lead crystal from glass?
By tapping gently with a knife it can be identified lead crystal. The chances to be lead crystal if it does a rawn-out chiming sound. Regular glass tends to make a duller, briefer sound when struck.
Minhajul Islam is a passionate technology writer and the founder of DifferencePlanet. He is dedicated to exploring the latest advancements in the tech industry and sharing his insights with the world. With a background in computer science and a keen interest in smart homes, Minhajul has written numerous articles on a wide range of tech topics. He believes that technology has the power to transform the way we live, work, and interact with the world around us, and is always on the lookout for the next big thing.