Crystal Award For Customer Recognition
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By :
Ken Johnson
Submitted
2010-05-18 14:19:27 |
Whether is it to commemorate a special occasion, recognize the contribution of a valued colleague, or to thank a retiring employee for years of faithful service, a crystal award can be a thoughtful way of expressing appreciation. Regardless of the reason for giving it, crystal's sparkling beauty is always a suitable way to sat 'thank you'.
There are several different types of crystal that are used in creating awards. The most common is called optic, or optical, crystal. This type of crystal is known for its hardness and clarity, as well as for the fact that it is completely lead-free. Optic crystal uses pressure, and not lead oxide, during its manufacturing process to eliminate bubbles and other imperfections. Due to the process of pressurization involved in its manufacture, it is only available in sheets, and is not suitable to the production of glassware. It is generally used only to create solid form awards such as obelisks and engraved plaques.
Black optic crystal is created through the introduction of additives during the manufacturing process. This type of crystal is quite often used to form the base piece in an awards sculpture or figurine.
Starfire is a slightly blue-tinted crystal manufactured in a process similar to that of optic crystal. Some consider Starfire to be a glass, and not a crystal, due to its less perfect clarity.
Like its blue-tinted cousin Starfire, Jade crystal has slight green tint. It is a favorite in the making of corporate awards.
Full lead crystal is the type of crystal used in the making of glassware. The addition of lead oxide during its manufacture removes bubbles and other defects, and gives the crystal is weight and distinctive clear ring when gently tapped with a fork or spoon. It is still blown by teams of skilled glass-blowers, in much the same way that it has been always been. As a result, it has a wider design flexibility than optic crystal does. Awards in the form of bowls, cups, vases and figurines are made from it.
Only crystal that contains a minimum of 24% lead oxide is considered to be "full lead".
Two and three-dimensional images, etched inside of a solid piece of crystal, are another type of award that is becoming increasingly popular. This sort of etching is made by using a laser to create hundreds of thousands of microscopic cracks deep inside the heart of the crystal, forming a remarkably lifelike image. Because there is no way of using a laser to draw continuous lines, each image must be made one tiny crack at a time. Fortunately, with today's laser technology, this can be done fairly quickly. However, the crystal used must be completely free of even the tiniest defects, and its surface must be perfectly flat in order for the laser to accurately hit its target. This makes carving images inside of spheres and other oddly shaped crystal very difficult, though not impossible.
Showing someone how much you value and appreciate them with a crystal award is a gesture that will never be forgotten. It is a memento that will be treasured forever.
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Author Resource:-
Buy a crystal award
at Wealthwood Gifts and visit a crystal award blog at blogwealthwood.
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