"Crystal glass" and "soda glass" used in Edo Kiriko
Cut glass products, such as Edo Kiriko, mainly use two types of glass: crystal glass and soda glass.
These two materials have different characteristics, and there are differences in price, weight, and shine.
What is crystal glass?
Crystal glass is a high-quality glass containing lead oxide , and has a high transparency and refractive index, which makes it reflect light strongly and shine beautifully. In Europe, famous brands include Baccarat and Swarovski.
- Transparency and brightness: Very high
- Weight: Slightly heavy
- Workability: Soft and easy to cut
Saiho only uses "real crystal glass" that contains 24% or more lead oxide . We do not use semi-crystal glass (less than 24% lead oxide).
What is soda glass?
Soda glass is a common type of lead-free glass that is lightweight, easy to handle, and cost-effective.
- Clarity: High, but slightly less than crystal
- Weight: Light
- Workability: Hard and difficult to cut
Soda glass has a low environmental impact and is lead-free, making it a safe choice for everyday use and as a gift.
Quick Differences
| item | Crystal glass | soda glass |
|---|---|---|
| Main component | Contains lead oxide (24% or more is genuine crystal) | Silicon + Sodium (Lead-free) |
| Weight | Heavy | Light |
| Transparency and refractive index | Very high | High but somewhat modest |
| Ease of cutting | Soft and easy to cut | Hard and requires advanced manual techniques |
| Price range | expensive | Relatively inexpensive |
Which is better? Choose based on your needs
If you want to emphasize shine and a sense of weight, choose crystal glass.
If you want something light and easy to use on a daily basis, try soda glass.
If they are both processed correctly, there is almost no difference in their beauty. The true value is determined by the craftsman's skill .
Which one does Glass Studio Saiho use?
At Saiho, we use either genuine crystal glass (containing 24% or more lead oxide) or domestically produced soda glass depending on the product. Both are high-quality glass, and each piece is carefully crafted by Edo Kiriko artisans.
Next episode preview
In the next article, we will explain in detail why Saiho is so particular about using soda glass .
We will introduce the true charm of soda glass and the craftsmanship that goes into it.
