====== Waterford ======

**Waterford Crystal** represents the pinnacle of Irish craftsmanship. Established in 1783 by George and William Penrose in the port city of Waterford, Ireland, the brand is synonymous with elaborate, deep-cut designs that maximize the refraction of light, creating a brilliant "sparkle."

Waterford is perhaps most globally recognized for manufacturing the New Year's Eve Ball dropped in Times Square, New York.

===== 1. The Waterford Style =====
  * **Deep Cutting**: Unlike brands that focus on thin, unadorned glass (like Riedel), Waterford celebrates the art of cutting. Their master cutters use diamond-tipped wheels to carve intricate patterns into the thick crystal canvas.
  * **Brilliance**: The deep wedge cuts act as prisms, catching the light and breaking it into rainbows. This makes Waterford pieces exceptionally dazzling under candlelight.

===== 2. Iconic Collections =====
  * **Lismore (1952)**: The world's best-selling crystal pattern. It combines simple diamond and wedge cuts and remains the definition of "classic crystal."
  * **Lismore Diamond**: A modern interpretation of the classic, featuring finer, more intricate cross-hatching.
  * **Colleen**: A pattern known for its complex oval cuts and shorter, sturdy stems.

===== 3. Collecting & Care =====
Waterford pieces are heavy and substantial. Due to the deep cuts, they require careful hand washing to ensure dust does not accumulate in the crevices.

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**See Also:**
  * [[:en:materials:crystal|The Science of Cut Crystal]]
  * [[:en:brands:wedgwood|Wedgwood (Parent Company)]]

{{tag>brands ireland crystal cut_glass history}}