Tips for Buying Crystal Gifts

If you consider buying crystal gifts you need to be aware of the interests of the one you want to surprise with such wonderful gift. Crystal is expensive and you need to ensure the recipient will receive a well-appreciated gift.

Many people love crystal but it is really expensive. Don't expect to find "real crystal gifts" for a few dollars. In this case you can be sure they want you to sell glass in case of crystal.

Here are a few tips that might help you when you want to buy crystal gifts:

DISTINGUISHING CRYSTAL FROM GLASS
The difference between glass and crystal can be found in the addition of lead oxid. There are difference norms for classifying glass as crystal in different countries. In America you can already speak of crystal if there is 1% lead in glass, in Europe 4% is necessary.

The more content of lead is present in your glass the better the quality of your crystal gift. When you are searching for crystal gifts you want to buy "leaded crystal" and this means a content of more than 24% lead in your glass. For example "Swarovski crystal contains at least 30% lead content and is superior in crystal gifts.

The sparkle and brilliance of your crystal gifts reflects the lead content used in your presents. Crystal is also much heavier than usual glass.

CHOOSING A WELL KNOWN BRAND
It is sometimes difficult to distinguish glass from crystal and if you don't have the necessary knowledge to see the difference it is preferable to choose a well known brand. You don't want to become in an embarrassing situation where the recipient of your crystal gift will receive a cheap imitation of your crystal gift which was really expensive for you. Fake crystal gifts are sold in many shops and if the recipient of your crystal gift has knowledge of real crystal he will discover immediately you bought glass instead of crystal.

When you buy a well known brand, for example Swarovski, Waterford crystal or some others you have certainty about the real quality of your crystal gifts. If you buy crystal of one of these well known brands you always receive a certificate of authenticity. I bought many crystal gifts of Swarovski in the past for my mother and also for some friends because they have a collection of animal figurines in Swarovski crystal and a certicicate of authenticity was always delivered together with this gift.

WHERE TO BUY
You can buy crystal in many shops, from a jeweller and even on the market. I recommend you to select a shop which is specialized in crystal or a jeweller. Every vendor can tell you they sell you real crystal but if you don't have the real knowledge about it is necessary to select a specialized shop or jeweller for making the right choice and avoiding buying fake crystal.

HOW DO YOU KNOW IF IT IS CRYSTAL OR ORDINARY GLASS?
Crystal makes a pinging sound when you flicker your fingernails against your crystal gift. It is really wonderful to hear this beautiful sound and a vendor of real crystal will always show you the difference in sound between ordinary glass and crystal.

OTHER TIPS
You should always check the pedigree of the crystal gift you want to buy. In this pedigree you can always check the gemstone of your crystal gift to ensure you bought real crystal. This gemstone information includes a description and a picture of your crystal gift.

You also need to be careful when the salesman put your crystal gift in a box. Be sure you can see the salesman if he is making the box with your crystal gift. Especially abroad you need to be alert that the salesman doesn't replace your crystal gift with something else.

There is plenty of choice if you are searching for crystal gifts. There are vases, figurines, jewellery, bottles, candle holder and many others. It is important you know the one you want to surprise with such a wonderful gift will like figurines, jewellery, decoration gifts or something else in crystal.

Your budget is important because crystal gifts can be very expensive. It is maybe the perfect romantic gift for Valentine's Day but you need to ensure your budget allows this. You can find crystal jewellery for a limited budget but if you didn't check before you asked the bill, don't be surprised your crystal jewellery or diamond will cost more than $25.000.

Crystal gifts are wonderful and it is a real good idea to personalize them. If the one you want to surprise is a collector of figurines it is maybe a good idea to make your choice in crystal animal figurines.

Crystal is a valuable gift and almost everyone will appreciate this.