Waterford Crystal

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Today we went and toured the Waterford Crystal factory in downtown Waterford. The new headquarters was built in 2010 after an investment firm bought the company when it declared bankruptcy and moved from the outskirts of the city right into the heart. They have built a beautiful facility and it is home to the largest Waterford Crystal showroom anywhere in the world. The tour was very good and we were able to see each stage of the process and master craftsmen doing some amazing work. The skill that craftsmen possess is remarkable. Everything, for the most part, is still done by hand and with no use of automated machinery. From the blowing to the cutting and etching, all the work is amazing. Every cut in Waterford Crystal is done from memory and on average every craftsman has 100 cuts memorized. Etching is a skill that takes someone over ten years to master and at that point any mistake made will force the entire piece to be scrapped. After taking the tour, I understand why Waterford Crystal fetches such a high price and after seeing the skill that is required to produce it, I am happy to pay it. Enjoy some pictures of pieces they have laying around the factory.

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Photos

Bishop's Palace with Christ Church Cathedral in the background. One of my favorite places in Waterford.

Yes, this clock is made completely of crystal.

The molds used to make specialty pieces.

Kentucky Basketball Trophy mold.

Craftsman in the blowing room.

Where excess crystal is cut off and the rest is sanded and smoothed out.

A master cutter at work. So much focus required.

9/11 Memorial
The most beautiful piece of Waterford Crystal. It was made in honor of all the emergency responders that lost their lives on 9/11. There are only two of these in the world. One is always in Waterford and the other is always in a particular firehouse in New York.