Crystal Treasure Gallery LLC
Crystal, Porcelain, Home Accents, Gifts, Collectibles & Treasures!!
Welcome
Thanks for your interest in
Crystal Treasure Gallery LLC at
www.CrystalTreasureGallery.com,
our goal is simple: We are committed to providing our customers
total satisfaction.
Every time. Guaranteed! Contact us at
info@CrystalTreasureGallery.com
or call (763) 772-5957 anytime. Please feel free to drop us a line to share your thoughts on the site and products, all comments welcomed. We have been in business since December 2004.
We will be adding new products all the time, so be sure to check back often.
We offer a variety of exclusive designs and a wide selection of beautiful pieces, each of which is skillfully hand crafted by some of the most extraordinary artisans of the world! From our manufacturers in Europe and the USA we bring to you the finest, & highest quality home decor, collectibles, elegant treasures and crystal decor from around the world at 20-50% less than what you will find offered in retail stores.
We hope that you enjoy the Enduring Beauty of your Heirloom Treasures for years to come!
Top 10 Reasons to Shop With Us
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We offer a unique selection of quality European Crystal, Stylish Home Decorating, Unique gift ideas & Elegant Collectibles. We're always looking for new styles to offer in all price ranges.
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Reliable shipping with tracking details for your information.
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We offer a safe and secure online shopping environment.
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Our store is easy to use. Search, browse, and even one page check out.
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We offer reasonable prices.
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We charge reasonable shipping rates.
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You can track your order and make some changes online.
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We extend a liberal return policy.
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We provide excellent customer service. We respond to all voice mail messages and eMails the same or next business day.
At Crystal Treasure Gallery We work hard to find unique, quality items at reasonable prices. And ... we're real people who still believe in the value of excellent customer service. We are a privately owned and operated business that is large enough to offer you a variety of excellent products but small enough to provide you with excellent service.
The Art of Lead Crystal
The art of lead crystal making dates back hundreds of years to the 1600s when it was discovered that by adding lead oxide to glass it dramatically improved both the clarity of the glass, as well as its weight, which decreased breakage during cutting. It is an art that today is still highly skilled. Each craftsman learns his trade through an apprenticeship under the guidance of master glass blowers and cutters. Each intricate cut is an indication of time and labor spent in the making of the piece, therefore there is no machine mass production. The more detailed the cut, the more time that is involved in making your crystal.
Care of Your Crystal
Gently wash your crystal in warm water using a mild soap in order to retain its luster and sparkle. Rinse in warm water and hand dry immediately with a soft cloth to eliminate water spots. Never put your crystal in the dishwasher. With proper care your crystal will retain its beauty and last a lifetime.
Differences between Glass & Crystal
The main difference between glass and crystal is the lead content. Glass is composed of sodium and potassium. Crystal is also composed of sodium, silicone, and has a lead content of 10-24%. The lead makes the glass heavier and, most importantly, the lead changes the refraction index of the item, which makes it appear brighter and cleaner. Because the refraction index is higher and lead crystal is not as brittle as standard glass, it is possible to make deeper and more complicated cuts in crystal.
To deserve the name "lead crystal" the glass must meet 3 criteria defined by rigorous rates and percentages. Below these measures, one can only talk about "crystal glass" or "crystalline".
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Metallic oxides |
Density
|
Refractory index |
|
Full lead crystal 30% |
PbO > 30% |
> 3.00 |
> 1.545 |
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Lead crystal 24% |
PbO > 24% |
> 2.90 |
> 1.545 |
Crystal glass, crystalline
(Crystalline in French) |
ZnO, BaO
PbO, K2O
Separately or together
> 10% |
> 2.45 |
> 1.520 |
Crystal glass, crystalline
(resonant glass in French) |
BaO, PbO
K2O
Separately or together
> 10% |
> 2.40 |
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