The Top 20 Most Expensive Crystal Makers & What to Look For

Introduction

Not long ago, I made an incredible find at a car boot sale—Baccarat crystal in the Piccadilly pattern. These high-quality pieces, a decanter, and a jug, were sitting unnoticed among random glassware, priced at just £5 each. After a bit of research, I found out their combined worth exceeded £300.

This got me thinking—how many valuable pieces of crystal slip through people’s hands simply because they don’t know what to look for? Whether you’re a reseller, collector, or just someone who enjoys finding hidden gems, understanding which crystal brands hold real value is key.

In this guide, we’ll go through the top 20 most expensive and collectible crystal makers, giving you a brief overview of their history, what they produce, and their market value. If you want to dig deeper, each brand links to a full article covering identification tips, price guides, and what to look for at car boot sales or auctions.

Is It Glass or Crystal? How to Tell the Difference

Before diving into brands, it’s essential to know how to identify real crystal. Many people mistake ordinary glass for crystal, missing out on valuable finds. If you’re unsure about how to tell them apart, check out my detailed video guide here:

👉 Is It Glass or Crystal? Expert Tips for Identification

The Top 20 Most Expensive Crystal Brands

1. Baccarat (France)

Founded in 1764, Baccarat is one of the most prestigious crystal manufacturers, known for deep cuts, heavy weight, and acid-etched marks. They produce stemware, chandeliers, perfume bottles, and decorative pieces.
💰 Value: Decanters from £750, chandeliers £10,000+. (Read more…)

2. Waterford Crystal (Ireland)

Founded in 1783, Waterford is famous for cut glass stemware, vases, and commemorative pieces. Older Irish-made pieces are highly sought after.
💰 Value: Wine glasses from £50, large vases £1,000+. (Read more…)

3. Lalique (France)

Established in 1888, Lalique is renowned for frosted glass, Art Deco designs, and figurines. Their vases and sculptures often sell for thousands.
💰 Value: Paperweights from £200, vases from £2,500+. (Read more…)

4. Steuben Glass (USA)

Founded in 1903, Steuben is known for hand-blown crystal with modern, smooth designs.
💰 Value: Decorative pieces from £300, vases from £800+. (Read more…)

5. Orrefors (Sweden)

Since 1898, Orrefors has produced sleek, modern Scandinavian designs that are highly collectible.
💰 Value: Glassware from £50, vases from £500+. (Read more…)

6. Kosta Boda (Sweden)

Founded in 1742, Kosta Boda creates artistic, colorful glass sculptures and tableware.
💰 Value: Collectible glass from £200, decorative pieces from £500+. (Read more…)

7. Daum (France)

Known for pâte de verre, a technique used to create stunning sculptural glass pieces.
💰 Value: Small figurines from £800, large sculptures £5,000+. (Read more…) coming soon

8. Saint-Louis (France)

One of the oldest glassmakers in Europe, producing luxury chandeliers and tableware.
💰 Value: Wine glasses from £150, chandeliers from £20,000+. (Read more…) coming soon

9. Moser (Czech Republic)

Hand-cut, lead-free colored crystal, often gold-rimmed.
💰 Value: Glassware from £100, vases from £1,500+. (Read more…) coming soon

10. Val Saint Lambert (Belgium)

Belgian hand-blown and cut crystal, highly collectible.
💰 Value: Decorative vases from £2,000+. (Read more…) coming soon

11. Fabergé (Russia)

Best known for their jeweled eggs, Fabergé also produces high-end crystal stemware, vases, and decorative objects. Their luxury glass pieces often feature hand-engraving, gold accents, and precious metal inlays.
💰 Value: Wine glasses from £300, vases from £2,000+. (Read more…) coming soon

12. Bohemian Crystal (Czech Republic)

A tradition dating back centuries, Bohemian crystal is intricately cut and often decorated with colorful enamel or gilding. Some of the finest Czech crystal brands include Caesar Crystal, Egermann, and Crystalite Bohemia.
💰 Value: Glass sets from £100, ornate statement pieces from £3,000+. (Read more…) coming soon

13. Riedel (Austria)

Founded in 1756, Riedel is famous for high-quality, lightweight wine glasses designed to enhance the taste of different wine varieties. Preferred by sommeliers and wine enthusiasts worldwide.
💰 Value: Wine glasses from £50, decanter sets from £500+. (Read more…) coming soon

14. Tiffany & Co. (USA)

Founded in 1837, Tiffany & Co. is famous for its luxury jewelry, but they also produce stunning crystal glassware, vases, and decanters. Their crystal items often feature elegant, simple designs with etched branding.
💰 Value: Wine glasses from £150, decanters from £1,000, vases from £2,500+. (Read more…) coming soon

15. Strömbergshyttan (Sweden)

Founded in 1876, Strömbergshyttan crystal is recognized for thick-walled, high-clarity glass with a smooth blueish tint. Collectors seek out their vases and stemware.
💰 Value: Stemware from £50, vases from £500+. (Read more…) coming soon

16. Fenton Art Glass (USA)

One of the most famous American glassmakers, Fenton produced handmade art glass, often in bright colors and unique patterns. While best known for their opaque and carnival glass, their crystal figurines are highly collectible.
💰 Value: Collectible pieces from £200, rare items £1,500+. (Read more…) coming soon

17. Gorham Crystal (USA)

Part of the Gorham Silver Company, this brand specializes in elegant crystal stemware and tableware, often found paired with sterling silver bases.
💰 Value: Wine glasses from £50, decanters from £400+. (Read more…) coming soon

18. Saint-Louis (France)

Founded in 1586, Saint-Louis is one of the oldest glassmakers in Europe and now part of the Hermès Group. Known for luxury chandeliers, stemware, and decorative pieces, Saint-Louis produces some of the most prestigious crystal in the world.
💰 Value: Wine glasses from £150, chandeliers from £20,000+. (Read more…) coming soon

19. Zalto (Austria)

A modern brand producing ultra-thin, hand-blown crystal wine glasses, highly regarded in the fine wine community for their precise craftsmanship.
💰 Value: Wine glasses from £80 each, full sets from £500+. (Read more…) coming soon

20. Swarovski (Austria)

Established in 1895, Swarovski is best known for its precision-cut crystal figurines, jewelry, and home décor. While it differs from traditional lead crystal, collectible Swarovski pieces can fetch thousands.
💰 Value: Small collectibles from £50, statement sculptures from £2,000+. (Read more…) coming soon

Common Crystal Brands Worth Buying

You don’t need to find Baccarat or Lalique to make money from crystal. Many lesser-known brands still hold great resale value and regularly turn up at car boot sales, charity shops, and estate sales. While they may not command the same prices as luxury brands, the right pieces can still fetch a healthy profit—especially when bought at bargain prices.

Here are 20 crystal brands that are easier to find but still well worth picking up:

1. Edinburgh Crystal (Scotland) – Look for Star of Edinburgh, Royal, and Thistle patterns, which are the most sought-after.
2. Stuart Crystal (England) – Known for its high-quality cut glass stemware and tableware.
3. Thomas Webb (England) – Antique Webb crystal, especially cut glass decanters and vases, can be valuable.
4. Webb Corbett (England) – Later version of Thomas Webb, producing fine cut glassware.
5. Royal Brierley (England) – The oldest English crystal brand, known for its engraved and cut-glass designs.
6. Tyrone Crystal (Ireland) – Sometimes mistaken for Waterford, Irish-made crystal with a similar cut.
7. Bohemian Crystal (Czech Republic) – A broad term for Czech hand-cut glass, often colorful or gilded.
8. Dartington Crystal (England) – Founded in 1967, producing modern but collectible lead crystal.
9. Fostoria (USA) – A well-known American brand, especially popular for its elegant stemware.
10. Gorham Crystal (USA) – Often paired with Gorham silver, making it highly collectible.
11. Atlantis Crystal (Portugal) – High-quality cut glass similar to Waterford but often overlooked.
12. Ajka Crystal (Hungary) – Colorful, hand-cut crystal, especially known for deep ruby, cobalt, and emerald green designs.
13. Cristal d’Arques (France) – Mid-range French crystal, widely available but still desirable in certain patterns.
14. Heisey Glass (USA) – Elegant vintage crystal with a strong collector market.
15. Imperial Glass (USA) – Specializing in cut and pressed crystal, often found in estate sales.
16. Cambridge Glass (USA) – Best known for its etched and colored crystal.
17. Mikasa Crystal (Japan/USA) – Modern but high-quality lead crystal glassware and figurines.
18. Marquis by Waterford (Ireland) – A lower-tier Waterford line, still retaining good resale value.
19. Lenox Crystal (USA) – Well-crafted American crystal, known for engraved stemware.
20. Orrefors Kosta Boda (Sweden) – While their art glass is more famous, their cut crystal is worth picking up.

Watch My Haul Videos – Real Finds from Car Boot Sales

I’ve bought everything from Baccarat decanters to entire collections of Swarovski crystal at car boot sales, and I document my finds in my haul videos on YouTube. If you want proof that these deals exist, check out my playlist here:

👉 My Crystal Haul Videos – Real Finds from Car Boot Sales

Want to Learn How to Buy Crystal for Profit?

If you’re interested in making money flipping crystal from car boot sales or antique fairs, I’ve made a full video tutorial covering what to look for, where to buy, and how to sell for the best profit.

👉 Buying Crystal from Car Boot Sales & Antique Fairs for Profit

Looking to Buy High-End Crystal?

We stock a selection of luxury crystal brands, including Baccarat, Waterford, Swarovski, and more. Whether you’re looking to buy for investment, resale, or personal collection, check out our store for rare and high-quality pieces:

🛒 Shop Luxury Crystal Now 👉 https://antiquesarena.com/shop/?swoof=1&product_cat=glass

Conclusion

Whether you’re a collector, reseller, or bargain hunter, knowing how to spot high-value crystal can lead to amazing finds. The brands listed above are some of the most sought-after in the world, but even the more common names can bring in a nice profit.

✅ Learn to identify real crystal vs. glass.
✅ Keep an eye out for high-end brands.
✅ Watch out for glass disease before buying.
✅ Check out my haul videos to see real car boot sale finds.

👉 Want more details on each brand? Click through to our full articles for in-depth guides.