Crystal products appeared many millennia ago. Confirmation of this - fragments of glass found during archaeological excavations. Found vases of colored crystal belong to the times of antiquity. Even the Romans used crystal products. These were seals, vessels, jewelry.
Czech or color crystal has been pleasing to people for centuries. He appeared in Bohemia - the area that over time became the Czech Republic, little is known about it. What kind of life of its inhabitants was, how long it existed - we do not know. It is known from the lessons of history that before becoming the Czech Republic, it existed under the name Bohemia.
Colored crystal, glass pearl
Bohemian glass is another matter . This name has been preserved to this day. Famous Bohemian glass products have become famous throughout the world. This is a durable material, besides beautiful. Its main feature is incredible iridescent colors that play under the rays of light, turning into fabulous silhouettes.
In all corners of the world, it is valued higher than any other glass. The first glassblowers who mastered the technique of creating Bohemian glass were Czechs. Therefore, it is called so - Czech colored crystal.
Crystal is a luxury item
Previously, products from Bohemian crystal could not afford to purchase all. It was considered a luxury item. Crystal was acquired only by nobles and wealthy people. It was not possible for a commoner to have something from Czech glass.
And since the end of the 12th century, everything has changed. The Czech Republic is becoming an economically developed country, the glass industry is developing. Since the beginning of the 90s of the XVI century, whole glass-blowing workshops have appeared. And very soon, colored crystal became available to ordinary people.
Varieties of Czech crystal
In fact, it is worth noting that there are several types of crystal. This is a natural and industrial crystal created by people. Today there are 4 types of crystal:
- Mountain (this is a natural material).
- Barium.
- Lead.
- Calcium-potassium.
Industrial colored crystal is created by fusing lead oxide with silica, combining sodium, potassium and other additional oxides.
This technology for creating crystal is considered the most complex and very dangerous. Failure to comply with regulations and specifications can have a sad outcome.
When crystal is made using lead and barium, a very high temperature of up to 1,500 degrees is needed. In this case, various additives and quartz sand are used. With their help, the strongest crystal is created.
Unique glass carvings
Colored crystal "Bohemia" is famous for its special glass carvings, the founders of which were the ancient Romans. In ancient times, different vessels were decorated with such carvings. Later, this technique began to be used in the manufacture of glass products.
The court jeweler of Emperor Rudolph II became the first to widely use the ancient technique in creating glass products, thereby glorifying himself and glass to the whole world. He used his special technique for this. These are glass facets with fine engraving, diamond edges and puncturing.
From this time began a new era of glass-blowing craft. A unique, original style in the art of cutting Bohemian glass has scattered throughout the world. Products made of Czech crystal have become incredibly popular in Europe. And soon, products flooded the entire market in the Middle East.
All products of Czech masters differed from products of other craftsmen. Amazed by color crystal, first of all, by unique aesthetic beauty. The first to acquire Czech glass were the Ottoman sultans.
True, in the VI century, Czech glass was not yet the crystal that is now. That was until the end of 1676, that is, until the moment when one glassblower, a British by nationality, tried to add lead oxide to the composition of Bohemian glass. Handyman Ravenscroft tried many methods.
He strove to create strong and, at the same time, beautiful glass. A special place among the experiments was taken by diamond imitation. She made glass a beautiful, clear and durable material.
With the advent of such glass, the first crystal also appeared. It differed from all other types of brilliance and incredibly beautiful sound. Later, the Czech glassblower Müller began to use the achievements of Ravenscroft, after which in the middle of 1684 color crystal appeared, exactly the one that we know of. Today in the Czech Republic, two methods of glass production are used:
- Bohemian glass.
- Painted glass.
Secrets of Czech crystal
The mystery of its creation goes back centuries. In the creation of Bohemian glass, only the old technologies for its manufacture are used. Thanks to them, after hardening, it becomes clean, durable, with a special shine.
Crystal becomes so as a result of the work of carvers and grinders. Moreover, all work is carried out exclusively by hand, which makes the glass sparkle along with diamonds.