Quality & materials

The crystal itself

We use K9 optical crystal — the same family of material used for camera lenses and laser windows. It is harder than window glass, has far fewer inclusions, and crucially it is cast and annealed rather than rolled. Every block spends 24 hours cooling in a controlled kiln so that internal stress cannot build up and crack it months later.

Acrylic is cheaper and will not shatter, but it yellows under UV within a few years and it scratches if you look at it wrongly. We do not use it, and we do not sell it.

Finishing

Six faces are polished, not just the front. Edges are bevelled by hand on a felt wheel, which is why no two blocks have an identical corner. Every crystal is inspected under a loupe with the engraving lit from below; anything with a visible scratch, a bubble on a face, or an engraving that reads softer than the approved proof is set aside and remade.

LED bases, honestly

The base matters more than people expect, because an engraving is only as visible as the light passing through it. We stock three:

• Single warm white — the safe choice for portraits and memorials. 2700K, USB-C, touch dimmer.
• Seven colour — fun for pet portraits, birthday pieces and gifts for teenagers. Remote included.
• Rotating — a 2 rpm motor plus edge lighting. Best for cube and Prestige crystals, where the whole point is that there is more than one good side.

Caring for your crystal

Very little is required, which is the point of buying crystal rather than paper:

• Dust with the supplied microfibre cloth. Never use paper towel — it is abrasive enough to haze the surface over time.
• For fingerprints, breathe on the glass and wipe. If that is not enough, use a drop of isopropyl alcohol on the cloth, never poured onto the crystal.
• Keep it out of direct, prolonged sunlight. Not because the engraving fades — it cannot — but because a crystal behaves like a lens and can scorch a windowsill.
• Do not put it in a dishwasher, an ultrasonic cleaner, or the freezer. Thermal shock is the one thing that will genuinely crack it.

A note on breakage

Crystal is glass. The engraving will not fade or wear out, but the block can chip or crack if it is dropped or subjected to thermal shock. Keep it out of the dishwasher and away from hard knocks. If it arrives damaged, photograph it and email us — we will make it right.