Crystal glass is a type of glass that contains lead or metal oxides, which strengthen the material and make it more durable than standard glass. The added strength allows crystal to be molded into thin, delicate shapes, which is why it is often used for formal table settings and decorative hollowware. Crystal glass is made with the same ingredients as glass, but with added lead-oxide or metal-oxide, which makes it slightly porous and able to refract light brilliantly. The term "lead crystal" is technically inaccurate because glass lacks a crystalline structure and is instead an amorphous solid. However, the term remains popular for historical and commercial reasons, and sometimes simply crystal because "lead" seems toxic to consumers. In the United States, any glass with more than 1% of lead content is termed as crystal. Modern crystal glassware often uses barium oxide, zinc oxide, or potassium oxide instead of lead oxide to avoid the health risks associated with lead. Crystal glassware is more expensive than standard glassware due to the added materials and the intricate designs that can be cut into the glass.
