How to Identify Waterford Crystal

Co-authored by Douglass Brown

Last Updated: December 9, 2024 Fact Checked

Waterford Crystal is the brand name of beautiful crystal glassware and other crystal items. Its roots go back to Waterford, Ireland, beginning in the year 1793. Today, Waterford crystal is still produced and the company is a part of WWRD Holdings Ltd. (bought in 2015 by Fiskars Corp.) that also produces products by Wedgwood and Royal Doulton. Waterford crystal remains a very collectible brand and being able to distinguish it is a valuable skill in the crystal business.

Method 1

Method 1 of 3:

Identifying by Acid Stamps

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Search online for images of authentic Waterford acid stamps. Older stamps feature the name “Waterford” in Gothic-script in either one of two designs. Pieces made since the year 2000 include the seahorse trademark.^{[1]
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Clean the crystal. Wash by hand in warm-to-hot water with mild dish soap. Prevent spotting by also washing with a 1/4 cup of ammonia. Use a soft cloth or sponge to avoid scratching, which may occur with scouring pads. Rinse the crystal and allow it to air-dry. If you dry it with a cloth, be sure the cloth is lint-free.
- To clean vases or decanters or any other piece that you can't reach inside of, fill them halfway with warm-to-hot water and a few drops of dish soap. Add 2 tablespoons of white vinegar or ammonia. Then add 1 cup of uncooked rice. Swirl the mixture around to clean the inside of the piece. Rinse it out with warm-to-hot water and then set it upside-down to air-dry.
- For tougher stains, fill the piece all the way with warm water. Add a denture-cleaning tablet. Wait for the mixture to remove the residue. Rinse the crystal thoroughly and set it upside-down to air-dry.^{[2]
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Hold the crystal up to the light. Use a magnifying glass to search for the acid stamp. Start at the base, where it is most often located.^{[3]
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- Be aware that excessive washing, usage, and age may affect the acid stamp's visibility.^{[4]
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  Research source} If you find none, have the crystal examined by an expert to authenticate it.
Identify inherited crystal pieces through proper cleaning. "When my grandmother passed away, she left me some beautiful crystal pieces but no information about where they came from. After reading this guide, I carefully cleaned each piece while checking for any stamps or stickers. I was really surprised to find a tiny Waterford mark on one of the vases that must've been overlooked before. Just taking the time to clean these inheritances properly helped unlock their history." - Dorie S.

Verify yard sale finds with sound, rainbow, and weight tests. "I love finding crystal bargains at yard sales but rarely see markings saying who made them. This article had great tips for testing glass versus crystal using sound, rainbow effects, and comparing weights. Now, whenever I go treasure hunting, I'll bring along a spoon and a similar-sized glass item to weed out the fakes." - Peggy Y.

Trace family crystal through generations with cleaning and inspections. "My heirloom crystal vase from my great-great grandparents has been passed down through four generations now. Unsure of its origins, I followed the cleaning steps here and found a tiny Waterford stamp! This article helped me verify and preserve a beautiful family treasure." - Merilee T.

Authenticate collected glassware items through expert examinations. "I enjoy collecting glassware but only recently thought about having my findings evaluated by a pro. Reading here that markings often disappear over time, I realized authentication is so important, especially for more valuable crystal pieces. By properly cleaning them first, I can better prepare them for an expert's review." - Gail S.

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Method 2

Method 2 of 3:

Identifying by Stickers

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If your crystal is older or from a limited run, check for a gold sticker featuring Waterford's green seahorse emblem.^{[5]
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Research source} Be aware that stickers may have been removed over time, whether intentionally or not.
Search online for images of authentic Waterford stickers to verify that the design matches your own. If possible, visit a retailer or collector in possession of Waterford pieces featuring stickers to compare them in person. If you're in doubt, seek an appraiser to judge your piece's authenticity.
Remember that a sticker may be transferred from a genuine Waterford to another piece. Although older pieces may not have had one to begin with, check the crystal anyway for an acid stamp for further verification. If there isn't one, have the crystal examined by an expert to confirm that it's a true Waterford.^{[6]
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Method 3

Method 3 of 3:

Identifying Crystal in General

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If you're unable to find an identifying sticker or acid stamp, check to see if it's made of genuine crystal or just glass. Find a piece of glassware that's about the same size and shape for comparison.
Make sure the piece acts as a prism. Twist it slowly in front of the light source. Look for a rainbow to appear when the light disperses.^{[7]
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Research source} Do the same with the glassware and note that it does not produce a rainbow.
Tap the rim. Listen for a musical chime that's high in pitch. To contrast, do the same with a piece of regular glassware and listen for the dull thud that comes when you tap it.^{[8]
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Hold the glassware in one hand and your crystal in the other. If your piece is truly crystal, it should feel significantly heavier due to its higher lead content.^{[9]
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If you're satisfied that your piece is truly crystal, have it examined by an expert to confirm whether its design matches one of Waterford's, or research it on your own with a book identifying Waterford's various designs. However, due to the high value of Waterford crystal pieces and the high number of counterfeits out there,^{[10]
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Community Q&A

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Question

Does Waterford ever use just a W to mark glassware?

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I have a bowl with the seahorse Waterford symbol. It has a W on the bottom. it is a 12" short-footed bowl with fan arches.

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How do I know if my lamp is Waterford? There is no sticker or marking.

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Mine have the Waterford etched on towards the bottom. It is very clear.

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With Waterford chandeliers, does every piece have the Waterford mark on it?

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Yes, each individual piece should bear the mark.

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Tips

Many Waterford pieces today are made outside of Ireland.

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Each piece of crystal in a chandelier or other items should bear the Waterford acid stamp.

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When seeking authentication of pieces, it's best to bring them to the expert in person. Photographs may not capture acid stamps that are visible to the naked eye.

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Warnings

There are many imitation Waterford crystal items. Always look for and find the stamp or foil sticker to authenticate the piece. If in doubt, have a professional appraiser or expert examine the item.

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