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.

• 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.

• 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.

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.

— See Also:

• The Science of Cut Crystal
• Wedgwood (Parent Company)