How to Identify Authentic Waterford Crystal Marks

Waterford Crystal is the brand name of beautiful crystal glassware and other crystal items with roots going back to Waterford, Ireland in the year 1793. Today, Waterford Crystal is highly sought after for its intricate designs and dazzling quality, and we’ve assembled this guide to show you how to differentiate authentic Waterford from other brands with tips from glassblowing expert Douglass Brown and antiques appraiser Reyne Hirsch. We’ll also share how to tell basic crystal from glassware so you always feel confident in what you’re purchasing.

How can you tell if crystal is Waterford?

Antiques appraiser Reyne Hirsch says to look for a light acid stamp on the underside of most Waterford crystal. Other signs of authenticity include:

A gold sticker (paper or foil) with Waterford's green seahorse logo.
An authentic Waterford design.
Sharp facets and polished edges that speak to its craftsmanship.
High-quality, branded packaging and/or a certificate of authenticity.

Section 1 of 4:

Identifying Waterford Crystal by Acid Stamps

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Research the Waterford marks. Search online for images of authentic Waterford acid stamps. Older stamps (from before the year 2000) feature the name “Waterford” etched in a Gothic script in one of two designs. Pieces made since the year 2000 include an etching of the Waterford seahorse trademark logo.^{[1]
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- Hirsch says that the stamp typically appears “on the underside base of most items.”^{[2]
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- Brown advises that Waterford crystal remains a very collectible brand, and being able to distinguish it is a valuable skill in the crystal business!^{[3]
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Meet the wikiHow Expert

Reyne Hirsch is an antiques expert, appraiser, writer, and the co-owner of the Dallas Auction Gallery. She spent 13 years on Antiques Roadshow and was the host of The Art of Collecting on NBC News.

Douglass Brown is a glassblowing expert and glass artist with over 25 years of experience. He believes in sharing hot glass experiences with anyone who wants to learn about the processes of blowing and sculpting glass.
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Clean the crystal. Wash by hand in warm-to-hot water with mild dish soap. Use a soft cloth or sponge to avoid scratching, which may occur with scouring pads. Rinse the crystal and allow it to air-dry. If you dry it with a cloth, be sure the cloth is lint-free.^{[4]
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- To clean vases, decanters, or any other piece that you can't reach inside of, fill them halfway with warm-to-hot water and a few drops of dish soap. Then add 1 cup of uncooked rice.^{[5]
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  Research source} Swirl the mixture around to clean the inside of the piece. Brown recommends rinsing it out with warm-to-hot water and then setting it upside-down to air-dry.^{[6]
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Hold the crystal up to the light to find the mark. Use a magnifying glass to search for the acid stamp. Start at the base, where it is most often located (especially on newer items).^{[7]
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Research source} Search the grooves next if you don't find it on the base (older pieces may have a mark in various other places).
- Waterford did not start using acid marks until the mid-20th century, so if you’re looking at a vintage piece, it may still be legitimate even if it doesn’t have a marking.
- Be aware that excessive washing, usage, and age may affect the acid stamp's visibility.^{[8]
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  Research source} If you find none, have the crystal examined by an expert to authenticate it.
Identify inherited crystal pieces through proper cleaning. "When my grandmother passed away, she left me some beautiful crystal pieces but no information about where they came from. After reading this guide, I carefully cleaned each piece while checking for any stamps or stickers. I was really surprised to find a tiny Waterford mark on one of the vases that must've been overlooked before. Just taking the time to clean these inheritances properly helped unlock their history." - Dorie S.

Verify yard sale finds with sound, rainbow, and weight tests. "I love finding crystal bargains at yard sales but rarely see markings saying who made them. This article had great tips for testing glass versus crystal using sound, rainbow effects, and comparing weights. Now, whenever I go treasure hunting, I'll bring along a spoon and a similar-sized glass item to weed out the fakes." - Peggy Y.

Trace family crystal through generations with cleaning and inspections. "My heirloom crystal vase from my great-great grandparents has been passed down through four generations now. Unsure of its origins, I followed the cleaning steps here and found a tiny Waterford stamp! This article helped me verify and preserve a beautiful family treasure." - Merilee T.

Authenticate collected glassware items through expert examinations. "I enjoy collecting glassware but only recently thought about having my findings evaluated by a pro. Reading here that markings often disappear over time, I realized authentication is so important, especially for more valuable crystal pieces. By properly cleaning them first, I can better prepare them for an expert's review." - Gail S.

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Section 2 of 4:

Identifying Waterford Crystal by Stickers

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If your crystal is older or from a limited run, check for a gold sticker featuring Waterford's green seahorse emblem.^{[9]
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Research source} Be aware that stickers may have been removed over time, whether intentionally or not.
Search online for images of authentic Waterford stickers to verify that the design matches your own. If possible, visit a retailer or collector in possession of Waterford pieces featuring stickers to compare them in person. If you're in doubt, seek an appraiser to judge your piece's authenticity.
Remember that a sticker may be transferred from a genuine Waterford to another piece. Although older pieces may not have had one to begin with, check the crystal anyway for an acid stamp for further verification. If there isn't one, have the crystal examined by an expert to confirm that it's a true Waterford.

Section 3 of 4:

More Key Characteristics of Waterford Crystal

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A genuine Waterford design Have your piece examined by an expert to confirm whether its design matches one of Waterford's, or research it on your own with a book identifying Waterford's various designs. However, due to the high value of Waterford crystal pieces and the high number of counterfeits out there, it may be better to seek out a professional opinion for better peace of mind.^{[10]
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- Hirsch says that “one of [Waterford’s] leading patterns is Lismore.”^{[11]
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Waterford crystal is known for its superior craftsmanship. Inspect the cuts in the design—they should be sharp, deep, and clean, and catch and refract light. Feel the edges, too. They should be smooth to the touch.^{[12]
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New Waterford pieces are sold in high-quality packaging with the Waterford logo, and some pieces and limited editions may come with certificates of authenticity. Most authorized suppliers will provide a certificate. If not, ask about the piece’s history and origins. They should be able to find and explain that information to you (and if they can’t or won’t, the piece may be counterfeit or of unknown origins).
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A cost reflecting Waterford’s quality If a piece seems low-priced or like an absolute steal, there’s a good chance it may just be glass or a lower-quality crystal (authentic Waterford is rarely available at bargain prices). For example, a single Waterford wine glass can cost $100 or more, depending on the design!
- Stick to verified, reputable retailers to make sure you’re purchasing genuine Waterford.
- But avoid paying too much: “[Waterford] is still being produced today,” says Hirsch. “Retail (in-store) values are considerably higher than the secondary market.”^{[13]
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- “Condition also plays a large role in current market value,” Hirsch adds. “If something has a chip or crack, you should pass on buying it, as there is a lot of product in excellent condition available on the market.”^{[14]
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- Hirsch notes that "Waterford has been produced since 1783. It closed in 1853 but was reopened in 1947." Its current owner is Fisker Corp, which has owned the brand since 2015.^{[15]
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Section 4 of 4:

Identifying Crystal vs. Glass

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Hold the piece up to a light—it should act as a prism. Brown recommends using a piece of glassware that’s about the same size and shape as your potential crystal item for comparison.^{[16]
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Expert Interview} Twist it slowly in front of a light source. Look for a rainbow to appear when the light disperses.^{[17]
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- Do the same with the glassware and note that it does not produce a rainbow.
- Brown also suggests examining the clarity of the crystal. Real crystal looks like a “clean, brighter piece of glass” because of the pure, high-quality materials used to make it.^{[18]
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Hold the suspected crystal up to your ear, tap the rim gently, and listen for a clear, musical chime that's high in pitch. To contrast, do the same with a piece of regular glassware and listen for the dull thud that comes when you tap it.^{[19]
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Hold crystal and glass pieces in your hands—the crystal one should feel heavier. Hold your comparison glassware in one hand and your suspected crystal piece in the other. If your piece is truly crystal, it should feel significantly heavier than a glass item of the same shape and size due to its higher lead and metal oxide content.^{[20]
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- Even though it’s heavier, real crystal will actually be thinner than glass. For example, crystal wine glasses will have thin rims and bodies compared to glass ones.

Community Q&A

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Question

Does Waterford ever use just a W to mark glassware?

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I have a bowl with the seahorse Waterford symbol. It has a W on the bottom. it is a 12" short-footed bowl with fan arches.

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How do I know if my lamp is Waterford? There is no sticker or marking.

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Mine have the Waterford etched on towards the bottom. It is very clear.

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With Waterford chandeliers, does every piece have the Waterford mark on it?

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Yes, each individual piece should bear the mark.

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Tips

Many Waterford pieces today are made outside of Ireland.

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Each piece of crystal in a chandelier or other items should bear the Waterford acid stamp.

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When seeking authentication of pieces, it's best to bring them to the expert in person. Photographs may not capture acid stamps that are visible to the naked eye.

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Warnings

There are many imitation Waterford crystal items. Always look for and find the stamp or foil sticker to authenticate the piece. If in doubt, have a professional appraiser or expert examine the item.

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