Are you confused by the terms PRESCUT, CUT, PRESSED? 

The vase shown above is PRESCUT.  It looks exactly like CUT glass.  The only way to legitimately differentiate the two is by touch.  This vase sells for approximately $8, if it were true cut glass, it would be priced closer to $30 or more.

If you are, don't feel badly, so are a lot of other folks!

Most glassware is made by one of two processes.  Either it is molded and the designs are PRESSED into the surface of the molten glass under high pressure; or, it is blown or molded and the designs are CUT into the surface of the glass.  The former process results in a finished product with intricate designs that are relatively smooth and need no further work.  The latter, requires a lot of artistic skill on the part of the glassmaker who must hand cut the designs into the glass, using large, highspeed grinding machines.  This process is very intricate and requires a lot of skill; therefore, it is also quite expensive.  This type of finishing is most frequently seen on fine Crystal, and helps to explain the very high price of these items.  It is relatively easy to differentiate CUT glass from PRESSED glass, by simply running ones finger lightly over the design.  The pressed glass will be smooth to the touch and will have no sharp edges; while, the CUT glass will have a definite sharp edge along all sides of the cut.  In addition, the CUT design will NOT be able to be felt on the inside surface of the item.  After all, the design was manually CUT into the outside surface only.

There is one other type of glass designing that falls into the purview of this dissertation.  That is the PRESCUT variety.  This procedure is a combination of handmade and machine made design.  The molten glass is first poured into moulds whch form part of the design in the surfact.  After cooling, artisans then use the same cutting tools as are used for CUT glass, and they emphasize and augment the pressed designs by cutting additional detail into the items.  The items are than buffed with soft buffing wheels and diamond abrasive to remove the sharp edges and polish the items.  THIS IS NEVER USED ON CRYSTAL;  only on tempered glass.  In this type of product it is possible that the design may be felt on the inside surface, since it was first pressed into the glass.  This produces a product that appears to be handcut; but, is considereably less expensive.   During and after the depression years, Anchor-Hocking produced a PATTERN that was called EAPG.  This stands for Early American Prescut Glass.  Thes is describing their pattern; NOT the manufacturing process.  This is a floral pattern, with rays and the image is deeply molded/cut into the glass surface; making, an elegant and beautiful; but, inexpensive item resembling Handmade Crystal; but, priced in the midrange.  This glassware is highly collectible and some items are quite scarce.  Do NOT; however, confuse this with glass that is  made in the PRESCUT process.  The Hocking glassware is a specific pattern; while, the process glassware appears in many patterns.  There are several excellent reference works available to assist you in identifying the Anchor-Hocking ware.  Most notable are Gene Florence's "Glassware Pattern Identification Guides"; Phillip Hopper's "Anchor Hocking Catalogs 1940-Present"; and,  Gene Florence's "Collectible Glassware from the 40's. 50's, 60's"

The PRESCUT process glassware is currently available in quantity, and is quite  lovely and useful.  Wedding vases produced by this process are elegant, sophisticated and inexpensive; AND, make a fine memento gift to the attendees of a wedding that won't bankrupt the new bride and groom.