The Fabulous Crystal Glassware Brand You'd Be Thrilled To Find At The Thrift Store

Glasses are one of those items that are better bought from the thrift store than paying full price. They're abundant on shelves, affordable, and in many cases, boast more interesting designs than pieces you might stumble across in conventional stores. Sipping your wine, enjoying a cocktail, or even just grabbing a glass of water in the middle of the night can instantly become a more elevated experience when it's enhanced by an ornate, crystal piece, and in many cases, you can get this dose of luxury for less than a dollar. This is especially true when it comes to one vintage brand that's always worth buying at the thrift store: Waterford.

Waterford has been around for nearly 250 years, and in its time, producing stunning crystal pieces, it has earned quite a name for itself. First established in Ireland and named after the town of its origin, it had an initial burst of success, but shut down in 1870. In 1947, however, things came back around. Waterford became one of the most well-known and popular producers of luxury crystal products during this mid-century era. It's likely that you're already familiar with the brand's Lismore line, even if not by name. After all, this design still holds the title of the world's best-selling crystal pattern.

As dining became more casual over the years, the need for crystal glasses, tableware, and decanters slowly declined, leading to a flood of these pieces ending up in donation piles. Their loss, however, is our gain. If you're looking for a little bit of luxury, keep your eye out for Waterford pieces the next time you head out to the thrift.

Identifying genuine Waterford pieces out in the wild does require a bit of searching, but thankfully, it's still very possible. First, you'll need to learn how to tell the difference between valuable crystal and cut glass at the thrift store. While crystal is a kind of glass, not all glass is crystal. Crystal contains lead, which makes it more durable. As a result, these pieces are often thinner, more ornately cut, and heavier than normal glass. Genuine crystal can also be identified by its sound — listen for a ding rather than a dull clink — and its ability to create prisms when a light is shone through it. 

With a bit of training, you'll be able to identify crystal at a glance, but how can you tell if a piece is Waterford? Look for a hallmark. While marks might vary based on the age and style of the item, you should be looking out for either an etched seahorse or the word "Waterford." In many cases, especially when it comes to glasses, this will be found on the bottom of the item. This mark, along with the general feel and quality, should be enough for you to identify a Waterford item for personal use, but there is a chance you may encounter counterfeit pieces.

If you want to absolutely guarantee that your Waterford piece is genuine or learn more about its origins, take a look at the pattern. There are several iconic lines from this brand, including the aforementioned Lismore pattern, so doing a reverse image search, posting in a collector's forum, or digging through secondhand listings could help with identification.