Crystal Piece Types

Water goblets along with wine glasses, make up the simplest crystal place setting. The water goblet is generally larger than the wine glass and is placed to the right of the dinner plate.

Iced teas are often called iced beverage glasses. This glass can be used to serve a variety of beverages including iced tea, soft drinks, and juices. The bowl is deep and easily accommodates straws and ice tea spoons. Iced tea glasses can also be used to serve frozen drinks, like daiquiris and margaritas.

Flat juice glasses feature a smooth bottom that does not have a foot or stem. The pieces are used to serve smaller quantities of juice.

Footed juice glasses like the flat juice glass, are generally used to serve smaller portions of juice. Footed juice glasses generally feature a short stem and a small foot.

Fluted champagne glasses are a relatively new stem. Its popularity soared during the 1960’s and 1970’s. The tall bowl is perfect for helping champagne retain its natural fizz.

Sherbet/champagnes feature short stems and shallow bowls. These pieces are often called saucer champagnes. The sherbet/champagne reached the height of its popularity during the Victorian and Edwardian periods. It was later discovered that the taller and more slender bowls of champagne flutes were better at helping champagne to retain its bubbles.

Wine glasses are most commonly used with water goblets. Like the water goblet, the wine glass is placed to the upper right of the dinner plate. The wine glass is generally placed closer to the guest than the water goblet. The wine glass can be used to serve a variety of red, white, and spritzer wines.

Claret wines are often called large red wines. The claret wine is used to serve a variety of red wines, including Bordeaux and Cabernet.

Wine hocks feature a tall stem and are used to serve wines that are produced along the Rhine River in Germany.

Balloon wine glasses feature an oversized bowl and are great for adding extra spirit to a party!

Cordials are generally the smallest stem in a crystal collection. The glasses are used to serve cordial cocktails including very sweet liqueurs. Many of our customers collect these pieces.

Sherry glasses are used to serve sherry, layered shooters, and port wines. This piece comes in a variety of shapes and sizes.

Liquor cocktails are small stemmed glasses used to serve cocktails that are predominately liquor. Because of the small bowl, these pieces are not often used to serve drinks that are made from large amounts of mixer.

Oyster Cocktails resemble the sherbet/champagne glass and feature a shallow bowl and short stem. The oyster cocktail is used for oyster shooters and can be used for serving sauces.

The big brother to the old fashioned glass, double old fashioneds are typically around 4-inches tall and can hold roughly twice as much liquid (12 to 16 ounces) as an old fashioned.

The highball glass is a taller tumbler typically used for mixed drinks and cocktails. A favorite of bartenders, highball glasses fit perfectly in a metal shaker so are great for both blending and serving any drink that uses plenty of mixer or soda.

Essential for every bar, the old fashioned glass is a tumbler-type piece with a wide rim and similarly wide base, commonly used for serving whisky and cocktails - neat or with ice. The wide opening and sturdiness of this glass is useful for drink recipes that call for muddled ingredients. Old fashioned glasses are typically around 3 ½-inches tall and can hold between 6 to 10 ounces.

Dating from the late 1800s, the martini glass was created to accommodate chilled but ice-free drinks that need distance from the drinker’s hand in order to stay cold. A form-meets-function design, the wide rim helps gin and other aromatic alcohols “open up” and the slanted side provides support for a skewer of olives, cocktail onions, or other garnishes.

Flat tumblers like footed tumblers, can be used to serve a variety of fruit juices, teas, and chilled drinks. Unlike the footed tumbler, this piece does not feature a foot or a stem.

A brandy glass or snifter is a short-stemmed glass with a narrow opening and wider bottom, used for brandy, whisky, bourbon, and some styles of beer. While most stemware is designed to keep the drinker’s hand away from the drink, brandy glasses are designed to be cupped in the hand to warm the drink inside

Footed tumblers feature a stem and a small foot. This piece can be used to serve fruit juices, teas, soft drinks, and other chilled beverages.

Low goblets resemble traditional water goblets and feature a shorter stem.

Low sherbets are generally used to serve scoops of ice cream, sorbet, and sherbet. They feature a short stem and shallow bowl that resembles the sherbet/champagne glass.

Parfaits are great for serving layered desserts, including layered ice cream sundaes and mousse. The tall bowl requires a long spoon.

Decanters are is used to store wines and liquors. They come in a variety of shapes and sizes and can be used as decorative accents on any table.

Pitchers come in a variety of shapes and sizes. The pitcher is great for serving water, iced tea, and other frozen and iced beverages.

Fruit Bowls are generally 4" to 6” in diameter and can be used to serve individual portions of fruit, nuts, and ice cream.

Cup & saucers are are typically used for serving tea or coffee. The height and the style of the cup varies greatly from one manufacturer to another.

Creamers are used for serving cream and flavored syrups for cups of coffee and tea. These pieces are a great addition to your tableware, dessert, or tea service.

Sugar bowls are used for serving sugar and sweeteners.

Relish or celery trays are used to serve savory condiments or appetizers, such as chutney, pickles, or olives.

Salt & pepper sets also come in a variety of shapes and sizes. Many people collect these unique serving pieces. Generally, the salt shaker has fewer holes than a pepper shaker.