Laser Crystal Gifts

What is the difference between lead crystal and regular crystal?

I was looking at crystal ball online, which was discribed as lead crystal. I have a couple small quartz crystal balls, and I have heard of lead crystal glasses and stuff, so I was just wondering what makes it "lead crystal?" The one I saw online was clear

Public Comments

1. Basicly, instead of quartz, it is lead. All minerals (many chemical elements are also minerals) form into crystals because it is the easiest way for the molecules to align themselves when in solid form. Many rocks (such as granite) are made of interlocking crystals, they don't look like crystals because they are small and ran out of space to form their usual crystal shape. Alloys too are made of interlocking crystals. even sedimentary rocks which are made of broken fragment of other rock, those fragments came from broken pieces of interlocking crystals from other rock
2. The term "lead crystal" is used to describe glass that contains a high proportion of lead oxide in it. Lead oxide is added to increase the refractive index of the glass which results in a glass that is very bright and clear. It does have some disadvantages however as lead glass is softer than normal soda glass and so it scratches quite easily, also it should NEVER be put into a washing up machine as the chemicals used for cleaning will corrode the surface quite quickly and turn it cloudy.. It is a pity that lead glass is referred to as "crystal" which is very confusing because glass is not a crystalline substance. Hope that helps a little.