Back To The Days Of Mechanical Polishing Of Crystal Glassware

Mechanical glass polishing of crystal glassware was used for many years before the introduction of acid polishing. It was a multi-stage process; a sandstone wheel was used to decoratively cut the crystal ware. This left a coarse surface which was then smoothed using a segmented poplar wood wheel or a dense cork wheel. Pumice powder being applied by hand until the cut was brought up to a dull finish. Finally, it was polished using a felt or brush wheel and rouge (Fe203) which was applied by hand to give a brilliant polished finish on the cut faces.