How to distinguish  CUT glass from other types.

Cut glass is glass that is made smooth; and, then the design is actually CUT into the glass with special tools and grinders.  This type of glass is quite difficult to make; requires a great deal of artistic talent to produce; and is usually very expensive.  Most of the designs are hand made; making it even more difficult to produce.

CRYSTAL is usually the media which is used for Cut glass.  It is very hard, beautiful, and lends itself to the cutting process.  Most  fine crystal IS made by the cutting process, rather than being moulded.  Westmoreland, Fostoria, Waterford, Cristal D'Arc are examples of brands that are mostly cut glass.

Cut glass is easily distinguished from other varieties, by simply running ones finger over the design.  The design in cut glass will have sharp edges; whereas, the same design in a moulded piece will feel smooth.  Examination under magnification will also reveal the cutting marks in the glass, which will not be seen on moulded varieties.  Look for Mould marks in the glass.  These will be lines running straight up, or around the piece.  These usually indicate that the piece is NOT cutglass.  Be careful, this mould mark test is not 100% accurate.  There are SOME pieces where the shape was moulded; but, the design was later cut into the glass.  These will have Mould marks AND will exhibit the sharp edges of cutting.  If you can see or feel the design on the INSIDE of the piece, it is NOT cut glass.  That would be impossible to do.  That is a dead give away that the piece is moulded and not cut.

Note that ETCHED glass and CUT glass are two different types!  Etched glass is made by using acid to burn the design into the glass.