How Do You Identify American Brilliant Period Cut Glass?
The American Brilliant Period Cut Glass era began in 1876 and went through 1917. New patterns were created by European immigrants and the glass was in high demand. During the decline of the era, from 1908 through 1915, some of the most elegant patterns were created such as the crystal cut. Identifying cut glass from this period can be done by looking for seven characteristics. Look for the blank quality. Blanks are the pieces of glass that have not been cut. High quality blanks have a water-white clarity with few bubbles or carbon flecks. They are thick and heavy and do not show white powder after being stored. Check the cutting quality. Old blanks were cut with stone or a carborundum wheel. The cut lines are deep, major cuts that form disconnected line segments which are not perfectly parallel. Place the cut glass in a dark room with a fluorescent black light. An estimated 90 to 95 percent of American Brilliant pieces fluoresce a lime green when they are exposed to a fluorescent black
